Arapahoe Pass & Lake Dorothy

NOTE THAT AWD WITH CLEARANCE IS RECOMMENDED TO GET TO THE FOURTH OF JULY TRAILHEAD SO WE WILL CARPOOL FROM THE HESSIE TRAILHEAD.

This will be a group hike, where we will hike together and everyone will wait at all trail junctions, creek crossings, and occasionally otherwise so that no one hikes on their own for safety reasons. Plan on a moderate pace of about 2.5 mph average moving speed (slower up, faster down). Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Difficulty: about 8+ miles with almost 2,000 feet elevation gain. Highest elevation is about 12,000 feet.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The hike to Lake Dorothy is one of the most scenic hikes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and offers views of ragged peaks, mountain lakes and creeks. We will plan to explore around the lake and maybe continue up the trail a bit for some views to the west. There are some creek crossings, so waterproof hiking boots are recommended, but this late in the year there should be minimal water. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/arapahoe-pass-and-lake-dorothy-trail

DOGS: NO dogs on this hike please.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: Because the 4th of July Trailhead is a very busy trailhead and because AWD and clearance are recommended, we will meet at the Hessie Trailhead and carpool from there. To get to Hessie, you can use the following alltrails link which should take you to the Hessie Trailhead: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lost-lake-via-hessie-trail
Or if you use google maps, you can type in “Hessie Trailhead” and that should take you to the trailhead, which is west of Nederland. Here is the link to the USFS trailhead website which includes directions to the trailhead: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=28274

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.012440000000026&lon=-105.68583999999998

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.