Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO
Lake Isabelle with Navajo Peak, Apache Peak and Shoshoni Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO
Vast, pristine landscape that humbles the human soul by its magnitude and majesty, the Indian Peaks mountains and surrounding wilderness area is captivating and awe-inspiring. A row of towering mountains stand proudly side by side. The air, with its fresh crispness, soothes the lungs and one can hike around in miles of bountiful peace and solitude. The sounds of birds chirping, leaves rustling, and rivers flowing sing a song of sweet precious freedom. A great symphony of natural life plays out in front of you and as you embark on a trail, you are swept into the song. Its slowed down tempo calms your mind and eases tension. Your innate primal instincts are revived and the pure, simple joy of being a human on this miraculous planet can be experienced and reflected upon with awesome wonder.
With 73,391 acres, over 50 lakes, 28 trails covering 133 miles, and six passes across the Continental Divide, there is much to explore in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It is home to numerous species of wildlife such as shiras moose, pikas and ring-necked ducks. You can encounter some of them around the lakes and along the trails.
The Indian Peaks are named after the Native American tribes of the West and include Apache Peak, Shoshoni Peak, Paiute Peak, Arikaree Peak, Kiowa Peak, Navajo Peak, Ogalalla Peak, Pawnee Peak, and North and South Arapaho Peaks. The Arapaho tribe lived in the area, but was forced to leave when mining started taking place in the 1870s near the Arapaho Peaks. In 1978, Congress designated the Indian Peaks Wilderness a protected wilderness area. As a result, the beauty and sanctity of this place was preserved and people can still come today to experience this cherished land.
Elevation in the Wilderness ranges from 8,400 feet to over 13,500 feet, with montane, sub-alpine and alpine zones. Seven peaks are over 13,000 feet in elevation. The highest point is North Arapaho Peak at 13,502 feet.
The Indian Peaks Wilderness is located about a 45 minute drive west of Boulder and 1-hour drive northwest from Denver. The trailheads are located in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests near Ward, Allenspark, Nederland, and Eldora.
