Trail Description

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Finch Lake is nestled within a dense spruce-fir forest in the southeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. This shallow, lower-subalpine lake receives slightly less traffic than other Wild Basin Area destinations, making it a good choice during peak summer months.

Heading southeast, the trail climbs 470' from the trailhead in just .8 miles. The trail then makes a hairpin turn to the west on a much milder grade through an aspen-studded hillside.

The trail reaches the Allenspark Trailhead-access junction at 1.4 miles (8,974') - continue toward Finch Lake. The trail begins another steady, moderately steep climb for .9 miles to the Calypso Falls junction (2.35 miles : 9,520').

From here the trail drops briefly through an area recovering from a lightning strike fire in 1978. Aesthetics are not entirely lost, as wildflowers fill open spaces and downed trees permit panoramic views across the Wild Basin Area and Continental Divide.
A mild grade continues beyond the burn area through what is now a verdant, predominantly spruce-fir forest. Small streams, Spanish Beard and ground vegetation accent this peaceful stretch.

The trail crosses a footbridge at 3.9 miles, then makes a sharp northerly turn downhill at 4 miles (10,069'). Winter travelers should anticipate this turn, as snow coverage can make it easy to miss.

The trail winds steeply down for .15 miles before flattening out on the final run to Finch Lake. Finch Lake's east shore is first accessible at 4.35 miles, though reaching it from the north shore - where official measurements are generally taken - is much easier.

Morning views across Finch Lake to the Continental Divide are appreciably better from the south and east shorelines, though circumnavigating the lake can be somewhat challenging due to thick forest, deadfall and marshes.

The trail continues another 2.3 miles to Pear Lake (10,582').

Worth Noting

• The aspens and underbrush found along the first 2 miles are especially colorful in the fall.


• Finch Lake maintains 3 backcountry campsites and a privy.


• The Wild Basin Area can be closed or have limited accessibility during winter months, so it's always a good idea to call the visitor center in advance of your trip.

Camping and Backpacking Information

Backcountry Campsites are listed below.

PINE RIDGE
Distance: 1.4 miles from Wild Basin Trailhead
Elevation: 8,880' elevation
Number of sites: 2
Privy available: Yes
Water Source: Obtain water from North St. Vrain Creek. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: 2 backcountry sites located in a lodgepole pine forest on the north side of the trail just east of the bridge across North St. Vrain Creek. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees. Food storage cable is about 8 steps beyond the spur to site #1. It is in a small clearing to the left and runs perpendicular to the trail.

TOHOSA
Distance: 1.7 miles from Wild Basin Trailhead
Elevation: 9,040' elevation
Number of sites: 1
Privy available: No
Food Storage: Bear Box available
Water Source: Water is available from the North St. Vrain Creek, approx. 160 yds. downhill from the site. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: Site is located in a stand of spruce and lodgepole pine at the edge of a small rocky bluff. Follow the unimproved trail .3 mile to the site from the junction of the regular trail. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees.

ASPEN KNOLL
Distance: 2.3 miles from Wild Basin Trailhead
Elevation: 9,400' elevation
Number of sites: 1
Privy available: No
Food Storage: Bear Box available
Water Source: Water is available from North St. Vrain Creek, approximately 200 yards downhill from the site. Bring container to carry water back to site. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: Site is located in a stand of aspen interspersed with spruce and lodgepole pine. Follow the unimproved trail from Pine Ridge toward the North St. Vrain campsites. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees.

SISKIN
Distance: 3.2 miles from Wild Basin Trailhead
Elevation: 9,460' elevation
Number of sites: 1
Privy available: No
Food Storage: Bear Box available
Water Source: Water is available from the North St. Vrain Creek, approx. 135 yards downhill from the site. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: Site is located in a stand of lodgepole pine. Follow the unimproved trail from Pine Ridge toward the North St. Vrain campsites or follow the maintained trail to drop down from No. St. Vrain. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees.

NORTH ST. VRAIN
Distance: 3.5 miles from Wild Basin Trailhead
Elevation: 9,560' elevation
Number of sites: 2
Privy available: Yes
Food Storage: Cable is about 20 adult steps up the access trail in a small clearing on the left and parallel to the trail.
Water Source: Water available from North St. Vrain Creek. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: The campsites lie in a thick forest of lodgepole pine on the north side of the trail just after it crosses North St. Vrain Creek. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees.

FINCH LAKE
Distance: 4.6 miles from Finch Lake TH, 5.3 miles from Wild Basin TH
Elevation: 9,912' elevation
Number of sites: 2 individual, 1 group / stock
Privy available: Yes
Food Storage: Cable is about 15 adult steps from north corner of the hitchrack in a clearing between the hitchrack and a large boulder.
Water Source: Water available from Cony Creek and Finch Lake. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: Finch Lake is a shallow lake in a thick forest of lodgepole pine. All the campsites are located on the north side of the lake. The group site is located 30 yards northwest of the privy. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees.

PEAR CREEK
Distance: 6.4 miles from Finch Lake TH, 7.1 miles from Wild Basin TH
Elevation: 10,550' elevation
Number of sites: 3
Privy available: No
Food Storage: none available
Water Source: Water is available from the creek. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: The campsites at Pear Creek are located ¼ mi. below Pear Lake. The area is heavily timbered and all sites are marked with metal arrowheads. All sites are on the south (left) side of the trail after it crosses the creek. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees. *Campsites at Pear Creek offer somewhat more protection in inclement weather than those at Pear Lake.

PEAR LAKE
Distance: 6.6 miles from Finch Lake TH, 7.3 miles from Wild Basin TH
Elevation: 10,582' elevation
Number of sites: 1
Privy available: No
Food Storage: Bear Box available
Water Source: Water may be obtained from the lake or the inlet streams. Boil or adequately treat all water.
Site Description: The campsite is located just below treeline at the base of Copeland Mountain in a forest of subalpine fir. Cross Pear Creek by a plank bridge to the site located on the north side of the lake. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tent(s) as close to the indicated site as is safely possible out of potential hazard from standing dead trees. *Campsites at Pear Creek offer somewhat more protection in inclement weather than those at Pear Lake.

Directions to Trailhead

From Estes Park, Colorado, head south for 11 miles on Highway 7 to the Wild Basin Trailhead on your right hand side. Turn right on the dirt road to the entrance station .15 miles ahead. The Finch Lake Trailhead is located 1.8 miles from the entrance station on the left-hand side of the road.

From Boulder, take 36 north for 14 miles to the town of Lyons. Remain on 36 to the Highway 7 intersection. Turn left onto Highway 7 heading towards Allenspark. Remain on Highway 7 and look for the Wild Basin Trailhead entrance on the left. Turn left on the dirt road to the entrance station .15 miles ahead. The Finch Lake Trailhead is located 1.8 miles from the entrance station on the left-hand side of the road.

Contact Information

Rocky Mountain National Park
Visitor Information:
970-586-1206

Backcountry:
970-586-1242

Campground Reservations:
800-365-2267