State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length, One-Way: 4 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8600 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10643 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light
Trail Information
The Hell Canyon Trail is accessed from either Cascade Creek Trail or Roaring Fork Trail. The Hell Canyon Trail is appropriately named, as it is a steep, rugged, unmarked and unmaintained trail. Hikers find fallen logs across the trail and report that the footway is often obscured. It is, however, possible to follow the stream north and northeast to Stone and Upper Lakes.
When the snow falls, the Hell Canyon Trail becomes the domain of snowshoers.
Directions
The Monarch Lake Trailhead is located within the Arapaho National Recreation Area, off of Highway 34, about 6 miles north of Highway 40. Turn east onto the Arapaho Bay Road (watch for signs for Willow Creek Canal) off of Highway 34, between Granby and Grand Lake. Follow Arapaho Bay Road about 10 miles to the Monarch Lake Trailhead.
