State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length, One-Way: 8 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8200 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10730 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light
Bear on Colorado Trail
Trail Information
The Roaring Fork Trail follows Roaring Fork Creek from its mouth, where it spills into Lake Granby toward its source. The beginning of the trail climbs very steeply, gaining 1,000 feet over the first 2 miles. Near the top of this steep section, you will see and hear Roaring Falls. Upon reaching the top of the wide switchbacks, the trail becomes much more gradual for the next two miles. Near the end of Roaring Fork valley, the trail splits off of Roaring Fork Creek, following a side drainage up to a saddle between Hiamovi Mountain (to the north) and Mount Irving Hale (to the south). The trail then descends into Hell Canyon to its destination at Stone and Upper Lakes.
Directions
The Roaring Fork 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 Roaring Fork Trailhead.
