The Pawnee Buchanan Pass Loop Two Passes, Four Days, One Permit Problem

Day 1 of 4

Long Lake to Pawnee Pass and down the west side

Start at the Long Lake trailhead in Brainard Lake Recreation Area, walk past Long Lake and Lake Isabelle, and climb the switchbacks to Pawnee Pass at 12,542 feet. It is the high point of the whole loop and you are doing it on day one with a full pack, which is the argument for going this direction: get it done while you are fresh.

4 stopsDay one

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Drive from where are you driving from?~20 min above Nederland · Drive

   Brainard Lake Recreation Area is about an hour from Boulder and twenty minutes above Nederland. A summer timed entry reservation is required for the vehicle, and it is a completely separate booking from your wilderness permit.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Long Lake and Lake IsabelleThe approach · Hike

   The first few miles run past Long Lake and up to Lake Isabelle below the Navajo and Apache peaks. It is the most photographed stretch of the Indian Peaks and it is busy with day hikers until you start climbing.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Pawnee Pass12,542 ft · high point · mtn

   Switchbacks up to 12,542 feet and the high point of the loop. Fully exposed at the top, and the snow lingers here into July in most years. Doing it on day one means doing it with your heaviest pack, which is the trade.

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4. ⠿↑↓4
   Crater Lake, designated sitesDesignated sites only · tent

   Below the Lone Eagle Cirque, and one of the most striking camps in Colorado. Camping here is restricted to designated numbered sites rather than dispersed, so your permit has to match.

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Day 2 of 4

The Cascade valley and the long quiet middle

This is the day nobody photographs and everybody remembers. From the Crater Lake basin the route drops into the Cascade Creek valley, past waterfalls and through forest, then turns north and begins the long gradual climb back up toward the Buchanan side.

3 stopsDay two

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Cascade Creek and the waterfallsReliable water all day · Water

   The route drops into the Cascade Creek drainage past a string of waterfalls. Water is plentiful, the walking is mostly in trees, and you will see almost nobody.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Buchanan CreekThe long gradual climb · route

   Turning north and beginning the slow climb back up toward the second pass. Willow bottoms through here hold moose, which are the animal actually worth worrying about in this wilderness.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Camp below Buchanan PassDispersed, wilderness rules · tent

   Dispersed camping under the normal wilderness rules: 100 feet from water and trail, no fires above treeline, and bear-resistant storage. Position yourself for an early start on the pass.

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Day 3 of 4

Buchanan Pass and back over the divide

Buchanan Pass at 11,844 feet is the second crossing and the lower of the two, but you are climbing to it from the bottom of the valley so the day still has real work in it. The pass sits on the Continental Divide with the Indian Peaks strung out to the south.

3 stopsDay three

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Buchanan Pass11,844 ft · Continental Divide · mtn

   The second crossing, on the Continental Divide at 11,844 feet. Lower than Pawnee but climbed from the valley floor, so the day is not the easy one it looks like on paper.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Middle St Vrain descentBack on the east side · route

   Down the east side into the Middle St Vrain drainage. From here the loop is closing and the walking eases off considerably.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Last night outDispersed · tent

   A short final day tomorrow, so camp wherever the wilderness rules allow and enjoy the last evening out.

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Blue Lake side tripOptional, a few extra miles · Water

   From the Mitchell Lake side, Blue Lake sits in a cirque under Mount Toll and is one of the best short walks in the wilderness. Optional, and worth it if your legs have anything left.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Back to the Long Lake trailheadLoop closed · route

   The last couple of miles back to the car. Gentle, and busy again with day hikers as you get close to Brainard.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Down to Nederland~20 min · Drive

   Twenty minutes down the hill and the obvious place for the first proper meal after four days out.

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