Baker Pass - 13.0 Miles Round-Trip

Baker Pass (11,253') is located 6.5 miles from Bowen-Baker Trailhead in the Never Summer Wilderness. It spans a broad, open saddle along the Continental Divide between Baker Gulch and South Fork Michigan River.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

This long but moderate trail shares the first 4.35 miles with Parika Lake, then splits N-NE through expansive meadows framed by the 'cloud mountains' of Stratus, Nimbus and Cumulus to the pass.

The final 2.2 miles are faint in many places and can be difficult to follow, though terrain is generally mild with intuitive navigation through treeline.

The meadows are covered in lilies and frequented by moose. There are innumerable places to camp and crowds are usually light, even during peak season. Higher points on the Divide and climbing routes to Cumulus and Nimbus are easily accessible. Skiers will enjoy big open bowls on both sides of the pass.

Note: The trail begins in Rocky Mountain National Park and entrance fees apply. No fee or permit is required to camp in the Never Summer Wilderness. Dogs are not permitted in RMNP, but it's generally accepted that those heading into the NSW can walk the short distance with their leashed pets across the Park - Wilderness boundary:

A service road heads west from Bowen-Baker Trailhead across Kawuneeche Valley to the Bowen Gulch - Baker Gulch split (.3 miles); turn right on Baker Gulch to the Never Summer Wilderness Boundary (.7 miles). Dispersed camping is permitted beyond this point and you'll find several good sites along the creek.

The trail moves quickly through a beetle-marred forest with many small, verdant glades (1.5 miles : 9,240'). Grades steepen briefly through 2.45 miles, then ease across open talus with upper valley views (2.9 miles : 9,790').

It re-enters the forest and makes a short, steep push up the north valley wall into the lower subalpine (3.5 miles : 10,160'). Travel steepens again to Grand Ditch Road (3.8 miles : 10,310'); turn left then immediately right over a log bridge to regain the trail (3.82 miles). This bridge has some flex to it - cross one at a time.

The trail rises steadily through an open subalpine forest with large meadows and crosses a creek to the Parika Lake - Baker Pass Trail split (4.35 miles : 10,470'). Turn right for Baker Pass. Avalanches have obscured this area and you'll have to pick through debris.

Grades are now quite moderate but the trail loses clarity in many places and deadfall gets in the way - log cuts often provide the most reliable guidance from point to point.

The trail traces a meadow and hops a stream (4.98 miles : 10,645') to reach a prominent cairn at the base of a larger meadow with views up to the pass (5.25 miles : 10,780').

Cross another creek (5.5 miles) and level across a low ridge separating two very large, long meadows leading to second prominent cairn at treeline (5.95 miles : 11,080').

Take note of these large cairns, which provide critical guidance from open space to patchy forest on the return. The trail fades but is intuitively followed up the right side of the valley to Baker Pass (6.5 miles : 11,253').

Grades are notably mild through stunning, spacious meadows on this final approach. A sign on the pass points down the far side to S. Fork Michigan River, and left to Jack Creek and Parika Lake.

The Baker Pass Trail continues counter-clockwise from the pass and joins the Parika Lake Trail to form a loop; though depicted clearly on maps, it's difficult to follow. Only experienced hikers with good navigation skills should attempt this route.

Scheduled 2017 maintenance should help clarify this highly compelling and lightly traveled route through the Never Summers. Contact the Sulphur Ranger District for trail condition updates.