Basics:
Distance: 6 miles when gate is open, 13.8 miles if the gate is closed
Elevation Gain: approx. 1,200 feet
Location: Near Fraser (see directions below)
Trailhead: Just some signs, park along road
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Hiking Partner: Gaylene

The hike to Saint Louis Lake near Fraser is typically 13.8 miles roundtrip, but if you do it on the right day, it’s only 6 miles roundtrip. Why? There’s a gate on the road. Come when the gate is open and you can drive the last 3.9 miles to the trailhead. Come on a day when the gate is closed and you’re hiking 3.9 miles on the road before you even get to the trailhead. Turns out, a “gate open” day fell during my vacation.

The trailhead at the end of the road isn’t much of a trailhead. There are no parking spaces, hikers park on the side of the road. There’s a sign and a bridge crossing the creek and that’s about it.

However, this is a beautiful trail. It follows a stream for quite awhile. Even in August, the creek was crashing over the rocks so hard it was hard to hear my hiking companion. Then again, we weren’t doing much talking since the trail climbs more than 500 feet in the first .7 of a mile.

Hiking in the meadow areas along the trail were a treat. In August, we found fields and fields of flowers. If you didn't see your favorite flower in one meadow, you'd likely spot it in great numbers in another meadow.

At 1.5 miles in, there's a trail split for those hiking Mount Nystrom, we continued on.

As you get closer to the lake, you get occasional views of the mountains surrounding you. Make sure when you stop to take a picture of one mountain range, you do a 360 degree turn to see the other mountains. I was surprised at how many pretty views I missed on the way up, fortunately I enjoyed those views on the way down.

When you arrive at Saint Louis Lake, the question will be where do I sit? If you sit near the trail, you're view is the shelf the lake sits on. Scramble through the marsh to the other side of the lake, and you'll have a better view of the peaks around the lake. No matter where you choose to sit, this is a peaceful spot. Even on a day the gate was open, there were only two other people at the lake when we arrived.

Trails.com describes the hike by saying, "Not only is the lake and its flower-bedecked inlet right up the wildflower lover’s alley, but the string of meadows leading to them are calico quilts of color in full bloom. Add the tranquility of deep forests, and you have a terrific high country hike."

Saint Louis Lake is part of the Fraser Experimental Forest. It was created in 1937 to study timber, water, wildlife management, and their integration in the high elevation subalpine coniferous forests. In Spring 2005, three major access roads were closed to protect the research conditions. It was also agreed that the administrator of the experimental forest could open those gates on certain days. The open dates for 2008 are over, to find out the gate open dates for 2009, call (970) 726-5220.

One note: if the gate is closed, you can ride a bike the 3.9 miles between the gate and the trailhead. There is a bike rack at the trailhead.

I found this hike because of the recommendation of two friends. I welcome your hiking trail suggestions, questions and comments, just email me: deb_stanley@kmgh.com.

If you're looking for a hiking dog, consider the Dumb Friends League Hiking Buddies program. Hikers who complete a training program may borrow an adoptable dog to hike with at the Glendale Open Space Trail or the “Rock” in Castle Rock. The Buddy Center staff will give you with all of the necessary equipment including an “Adopt Me” vest for the dog and a fanny-pack with pet waste pick-up bags, water bowl, water, leash and first-aid kit. You and the dog get a work out and your four-legged friend may get a new home. For more information, contact Matt Levien at 303-751-5772 ext. 202.

Hike Directions: From Winter Park, drive north on Highway 40 to Fraser. At the Fraser Valley Shopping Center turn south on CR 72 for .3 miles. Turn right onto Fraser Parkway for .8 miles. Turn left on CR 73 for 11.7 miles to the trailhead. CR 73 is a dirt road and is rough near the end. If the gate is closed, you'll park on the side of the road near the gate. If the gate is open, drive all the way to where the road ends.

Previous hiking reports:
Rocky Mountain National Park:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Granite Falls

2008: Get Outside! Climbing Twin Sisters

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Bierstadt Lake

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Chasm Lake

2007: Get Outside! Lulu City & Little Yellowstone

2007: Get Outside! Hiking The Loch, Andrew's Glacier

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Sandbeach Lake

Indian Peaks/James Peak Wilderness:

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Arapaho Lakes

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Mitchell & Blue Lakes

2007: Get Outside! Hiking The James Peak Area

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Heart Lake

Boulder:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Caribou Ranch

2008: Get Outside! Circling Heil Valley Ranch

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Forsythe Canyon To Waterfall

2008: Get Outside! Climbing South Boulder Peak

2008: Get Outside! Hiking The Boulder Flatirons

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Walker Ranch

2007: Get Outside! To The Top Of Bear Peak

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Rabbit Mountain

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Bald Mountain

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Betasso Preserve

2007: Get Outside! Circling Wonderland Lake

Golden area:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking To Forgotten Valley

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Chimney Gulch

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Apex Park

Northern Colorado:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Devil's Backbone

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Lake Agnes

Summit & Eagle Counties:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Booth Falls

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Missouri Lakes

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Mohawk Lakes & Continental Falls

I-70 area:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Chicago Lakes

2008: Get Outside! Climbing Chief Mountain

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Elk Meadow

Grand County:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking To A Waterfall At Snow Mountain Ranch

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Granby Ranch

Other:

2008: Get Outside! Exploring Fulford Cave

2007: Get Outside! Our Favorite Hikes

2007: Get Outside! Our Favorite Bike Rides