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Shelf Lake Trail #634

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (13)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Guanella Pass
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“A great hike with great views. ”

Randy Antelo
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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.9

KM

Point to Point

11,990' 3,654 m

High

10,080' 3,072 m

Low

1,939' 591 m

Up

29' 9 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Need to Know

The road is a bit rough to the the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. A smaller sedan made it, but I wouldn't recommend it. There is a final creek crossing around 2 miles that can be difficult or washed out when the water is high in early summer.

Description

A nice trail with lots of shade before the tree line. This is an out-and-back hike.

Flora & Fauna

Once you get past the tree line, the meadows are covered in flowers.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pike National Forest - South Platte Ranger District

Shared By:

Randy Antelo with improvements by Ralph Bradt and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 13 votes

#2

in Guanella Pass

#302

Overall
  4.8 from 13 votes
5 Star
85%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Guanella Pass

#63

in Colorado

#302

Overall
6 Views Last Month
6,801 Since Jul 21, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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23%
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31%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Looking down valley from Shelf Lake. Beautiful flowers.
Jun 8, 2023 near Keystone, CO
Wildflowers on the final ascent to Shelf Lake
Aug 4, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Square Top Mtn looms over the north side of the valley on the way up to Shelf Lake.
Aug 4, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Shelf Lake 2019. The blue tint to the lake this year is very pronounced!
Aug 5, 2019 near Keystone, CO
Made it to the destination
Aug 6, 2018 near Keystone, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 45 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 8, 2024
tara lieto
Jul 18, 2023
Lyndsey Gantert
3.7mi — 4h 10m
Jul 4, 2023
Lindsay Jackson Nichols
Jul 30, 2021
Ashley Vitiello
Beautiful trail. Lots of flowers. Cutthroat Trout in the lake. Recommend high clearance to get to the trailhead. 7mi — 4h 00m
Oct 6, 2020
Arlene Tamariz
Oct 3, 2020
Jesse Barr
Aug 26, 2020
Felicia Asmussen
3.6mi — 2h 20m
Aug 15, 2020
Shana Robertson

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