Baker Pass - Parika Lake Loop - 14.9 Miles Round-Trip

Baker Pass (11,253') and Parika Lake (11,360') can be joined to form a challenging 14.9 mile lollipop loop in the Never Summer Wilderness. The Baker Gulch Trail runs 4.35 miles to the Parika Lake split, then veers N-NE for 2.15 miles through expansive meadows to Baker Pass on the Continental Divide (11,253').

Trail Map  Photo Gallery

The route continues counter-clockwise from the pass just east of the Divide to meet the Parika Lake Trail. This stunning alpine traverse passes through lightly traveled terrain with exceptional views across the NSW.

Map depictions connecting Baker Pass with the Parika Lake Trail may not align with what you see under foot, or with cairns and preloaded maps on GPS units.

Scheduled 2017 maintenance should help clarify this route. Contact the Sulphur Ranger District for updates. Until clarified, only experienced hikers with good navigation skills should attempt this loop.

The following description follows the approximate route (see map), but improvises along the Divide (vs just under it) where terrain and route finding were subjectively more reliable.

Distance and elevation gains will vary by individual route; figures and navigational cues cited here between the Pass and Parika should only be used as a reference - your experience may differ.

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 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).

The trail rises steadily through an open subalpine forest 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 moderate but the trail loses clarity in many places - 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'). It passes 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 up to second prominent cairn at treeline (5.95 miles : 11,080').

The trail fades but is intuitively followed up the right side of the valley to Baker Pass (6.5 miles : 11,253'). A sign on the pass points down the far side to S. Fork Michigan River, and left to Jack Creek and Parika Lake.

The trail climbs steeply from the pass and quickly braids on several viable paths. Steep slopes and potential cornices east of the Divide may have you favoring the spine, which for a time is easier to walk along.

Views over Baker Gulch, the Cloud Peaks, South Fork Michigan River and Jack Creek are exceptional from these high points (7.0 miles : 11,500'). Cairns on the Divide offer near-term assurance, but terrain will soon force you to drop to either side of the crest.

The designated route falls east, but you may find the lesser of terrestrial evils on the west. If certain you're off the established trail, stay close to the spine and aim for a saddle at approximately 8.0 miles (11,635'). From here you can survey large tracts east of the Divide and identify the trail below.

Drop down steep, open slopes to meet a verifiable trail segment at approximately 8.2 miles (11,300'). Turn right. The trail is still faint but marked by several key cairns and intuitively followed to the Parika Lake Trail (9.1 miles : 11,255').

A large cairn marks this important junction, but there's no sign and it likely has little meaning for those only heading to the lake. 

Turn right and follow the well-defined trail to Parika Lake (9.3 miles : 11,360'). The 5.6 mile return to Bowen-Baker is (delightfully) straightforward.

The Parika Lake Trail follows the outlet back into a thin subalpine forest with terrific views across the NSW and RMNP. It drops sharply to the perimeter of a large pond (9.8 miles : 11,020'), then again to the Parika Lake - Baker Pass Trail split where your adventure began (10.55 miles : 10,470'). 

Avalanches have swept over this area and the trail split can be hard to find on the return from Parika. Extensive debris may conceal the path. Once on track retrace your steps back to the trailhead to complete the hike (14.9 miles : 8,864').