Peak To Peak Trail

Sites on this Trail

Loveland Pass
Description:
Some of the most easily accessed alpine tundra near Denver, Loveland Pass is the classic spot for White-tailed Ptarmigan during the colder months. In summer, look for American Pipit, Horned Lark, and sometimes Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. The pass can also be a good area for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter, and offers some of the best highland butterflying in the state, with several rare species possible, such as Polixenes Arctic and Magdalena Alpine.

Directions:
From I-70: exit 216, US Hwy 6/Loveland Pass Rd., just before the Eisenhower Tunnel. Head southeast on US Hwy 6, past Loveland Basin Ski Area. There is a large pull-out area at the top of the pass, on the east side.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Georgetown and Silver Plume
Description:
These two historic mining towns are a good place to experience some of Colorado’s history. For birds, check for feeders during the colder months, and various breeding species in the trees around town in the warmer months. American Dippers are sometimes found in the streams that pass through both towns. You are also almost guaranteed to see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in this area in November and December when rams migrate down the mountain to clash for mating rights with ewes. Visit the Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival, stop by the Gateway Visitor Center, or hit the Viewing Station just east of town to catch the sheep in action.

Directions:
Georgetown is on I-70 at exit 228. Head south and pass under the freeway; immediately to the west is the Gateway Visitor Center. Silver Plume is two miles west on I-70 at exit 226.

Access:
Open year round, Dawn to Dusk
Guanella Pass
Description:
One of Colorado's Scenic Byways and mostly closed in the winter, Guanella Pass makes for a beautiful back route between I-70 and South Park. American Three-toed Woodpeckers can often be found in the forest, along with Fox Sparrows in the willows, and (with luck) White-tailed Ptarmigan on the tundra. Guanella is a very popular trip for leaf-peepers looking for fall aspen colors, so be prepared for long lines of traffic traveling over the pass in autumn.

Directions:
From I-70: take exit 228 and go south under the freeway; at the roundabout, go west onto Argentine St. At the "Y" continue west onto Brownell St., which ends at 6th St. Head south on 6th St. to Ross St., and go west on Ross St. to 2nd St. Head south on 2nd St. - it leads onto Guanella Pass Rd./FR 381.

Access:
Open June -October, closed during the winter., Dawn to Dusk
Empire
Description:
The little town of Empire sits right at the junction of US 40 and I-70, and offers a good stopover for anyone looking to re-stock. Bird-wise, look for American Dipper along the creek in town, and (in winter), rosy-finches and Evening Grosbeaks at feeders. This area can also be favorable to viewing bighorn sheep.

Directions:
From I-70: just west of Downieville, take exit 233 and transition to US 40. Continue on US 40 to Empire.

Access:
Open year round, Daylight hours
St. Mary’s Glacier
Description:
If you're looking to spend a pleasant day hiking through a variety of montane habitats, with a chance to see most of the species desired by visiting birders, then look no further than the St. Mary's Glacier Trail. Rising from willow carrs through spruce woodland and onto alpine tundra, the full suite of mountain species can be found here, including White-tailed Ptarmigan (with luck) higher up. Also, look out for other mountain species, including bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Note: there's a daily parking fee at this location.

Directions:
From I-70: take exit 238/Fall River Rd., just west of Idaho Springs. Head north on Fall River Rd. for 9 miles; there are 2 parking areas on the west side of the road, one south of the trail head and the other one just north of the trail head.

Access:
Open year round, however, difficult to access during the winter., Daylight hours
Idaho Springs
Description:
The largest town in Clear Creek County is also the best place to base yourself for a trip up Mt. Evans. Idaho Springs is a good place to stock up before a trip to the backcountry, or visit a restaurant to celebrate your return. Birding opportunities in town are more limited, but a bike path along the nearby river sometimes has American Dipper and others.

Directions:
Idaho Springs is on I-70 between exits 241A, on the east end, and exit 240, on the west end. Idaho Springs is approximately twenty miles west of Golden.

Access:
Open year round, 24 hours
Mount Evans
Description:
The most accessible “fourteener” in the country, Mount Evans is also home to the highest road in the US. From Echo Lake at the foot of the road to expansive tundra near the top, you could spend all day looking for different species. In the forested areas, look for Williamson’s Sapsucker, Clark’s Nutcracker, Pine Grosbeak, and much more, while higher up, watch for Brown-capped Rosy-finch, White-tailed Ptarmigan, American Pipit, and mountain goat. When open, Mt. Evans is very busy and though animals may seem tame and tolerant of people, they are still wild and potentially dangerous. Be sure to visit early and always keep a safe distance from wildlife.

Directions:
From I-70: take exit 240, CO 103/Squaw Pass Rd. and go south for 13 miles to Echo Lake Lodge. Continue south onto CO 5/Mount Evans Rd. to the fee station. Summit Lake is on the west side of CO 5, 9 miles above the lodge; the peak is another 5 miles above Summit Lake.

Access:
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day to the Summit. Open Memorial Day to First Weekend in October to Summit Lake, 24 hours
Mount Evans State Wildlife Area
Description:
Not to be confused with the famous Mt. Evans, this SWA actually has some beautiful mature Ponderosa forest, with possible species including Williamson's Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, and Cassin's Finch. However, the SWA is completely closed to public access between January 1 and June 14, as it is critical winter and breeding grounds for elk. Additionally, use is restricted to only fishing and hunting activities from the day after Labor Day to (typically) mid-November. Vehicles are restricted from entering the day after Labor Day until June 14. Be sure to check current regulations before visiting.

Directions:
From I-70: exit at CO 74/Evergreen Pkwy and go 6 miles south to Evergreen Lake. At the lake, go west on Upper Bear Creek Rd for 6.5 miles. The road will fork - stay to the right and continue west, as Bear Creek Rd turns into CR 480. CR 480 will fork a second time; stay to the left and continue to the SWA.

Access:
June 15 to December 31, closed from January 1 to June 14., Dawn to Dusk
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Description:
Golden Gate Canyon is a large state park beautifully situated in the upper foothills with a wide range of montane habitats, along with an extensive network of walking trails. The best roadside birding is along Mountain Base Road, and several trails heading off it allow further exploration, while lower lying areas near the Visitor's Center have extensive willows worth checking out. A State Parks pass is required for entry.

Directions:
From I-70: take exit 265/Hwy 58. Continue west on Hwy 58 to Hwy 93. Go north on Hwy 93 for 1 mile to Golden Gate Canyon Rd. Head west on Golden Gate Canyon Rd for 13 miles to the park entrance. At Crawford Gulch, make a sharp right and then another right turn at the Visitor's Center Parking Lot. See website for more detailed directions.

Access:
Open all year, 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Los Lagos Reservoir #3
Description:
The epitome of a birdy mountain lake, this small private reservoir sits right next to the highway on the Boulder/Gilpin county line and can be scanned from the road. It is best viewed during the summer and fall, and can have everything from Ring-necked Duck to Eared Grebe to nesting Osprey and Wilson's Snipe.

Directions:
From I-70: exit at US Hwy 6 and go east. US Hwy 6 "Ts" at CO 119; head northwest and continue through Black Hawk and Rollinsville. From Rollinsville, the reservoir is 1.7 miles. From CO 119, go west on Sayre Rd. to the reservoir.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Rollins Pass (East side)
Description:
While no longer a through-road to the western side of the divide, the Rollins Pass road still provides 4WD access to alpine tundra, as well as spruce-fir forest and willow thickets, which can hold Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows, MacGillivray's and Wilson's Warblers, and Dusky Flycatcher. In the spruce-fir, look for American Three-toed Woodpecker, and on the tundra, you might find White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy-finch. Be aware the condition of the road can be rocky; a high-clearance vehicle with 4-wheel drive is recommended.

Directions:
From Rollinsville on CO 119: head west on CR 16/E Portal Rd. for 7.5 miles to CR 117/Rollins Pass Rd. Go north on CR 117 for approximately 12 miles, to the end of the road.

Access:
Open June - October, Dawn to dusk
Caribou Ranch Open Space
Description:
This open space is closed each year from April 1 to June 30 to protect migratory birds and the resident elk herd during calving season. At other times of year, one can hike through high-elevation mixed conifer forests where Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gray-headed Junco, and Abert’s squirrels breed. Note: pets are not allowed at this property.

Directions:
From Boulder: head west on CO 119/Canyon Blvd. to the town of Nederland. At the traffic circle, take the second right onto CO 72/the Peak-to-Peak Hwy. In 1.7 miles, go west on CR 126. The open space trailhead will be 0.9 miles ahead on the north.

Access:
July 1 - March 31, Daylight hours
Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Description:
The Brainard Lake area is a good place to look for Gray Jays, American Three-toed Woodpeckers, and Dusky Grouse. In the winter months, the Brainard Lake road is closed near the highway, and one must walk (or better yet, snowshoe or ski) to reach the lake. Boreal Owls have occasionally been reported at night. Moose increasingly call Brainard home, and hunting is to be expected in this area in season. Be advised, this area is crowded on weekends, and parking is a challenge; there is also an entrance fee to the area in summer - cash or check only. Beware of afternoon thunderstorms and bring a detailed map.

Directions:
From Boulder: go west on CO 119/Canyon Blvd to the town of Nederland. At the traffic circle, take the second right onto CO 72/Peak-to-Peak Hwy. In 11.5 miles, just north of the town of Ward, go west onto the Brainard Lake Rd to the entrance station.

Access:
Open all year, walk in access only from mid-October to June, Daylight hours