Beaver Creek Hourglass Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This hike takes you through the alpine, and in the summer there are lots of wildflowers blanketing the tundra and majestic mountain views. The trail is faded in areas so watch for cairns. I have done this in November, and the snow cover adds a beauty and challenge that is worth the effort.

Much of this trail is in the alpine, and so one is exposed to weather. Be careful.

Moreover, much of the forest along this route burned in the 2020 Cameron Peak wildfire. In particular the lower third of the hourglass trail and also along the Beaver Creek trail. Plan on sun exposure in those areas as well. (The forest west of the loop appeared unscathed).

There are a couple of rough spots on the last mile of the road to the trailhead, that probably require 4WD/AWD. There's also a parking area right before the camp.

Beaver Creek is a well-marked trail, with many old blaze markings that passes by Hourglass and Comanche Reservoirs. While it climbs to alpine is 7 miles, the climb is gradual and enjoyable!

The Flowers Trail (#939) to Mirror Lake Trail is straight forward taking one through lots of alpine and forest cover and past lots of flowers. At the junction of Mirror Lake Trail and Brackenbury Cabin Trail, the sign is missing; turn right. Just after Willow Creek, the trail dumps into the thick forest and is hard to follow. I lost the trail and ended up bushwhacking back up to the alpine where I rejoined the trail. Watch for the rock cairns and take time for the alpine views.

Maps say the Mirror Lake Trail is undefined; however, seems like there are a number of cairns taking one that way. I stayed to the left and followed the Hourglass Trail. It's rocky tundra hiking, and as the trail starts to drop, it gets more rocky and at times a little hard to follow as it crosses through underbrush and trees.

Just below tree-line watch the trail—it will fork and veer right. I took a left and ended up in what looked like a hunting camp, wandered around a bit and decided to head back uphill to that fork and take the other direction—the correct direction toward Comanche Reservoir. The trail from there is rocky with roots but easy to follow back to the trailhead.