4th of July Trail: Nederland’s Gem (Arapaho Pass + Lake Dorothy)
Written By: Noel Krasomil
The 4th of July Trail is just a short drive from my hometown, yet I’d never experienced its staggering beauty until my recent hike exploring its wide-open spaces. Hiking the trail’s breathtaking Arapaho Pass to the pristine Lake Dorothy blew my mind at every single turn. It was worth the 32-year-long wait.
Nestled in the heart of Indian Peaks Wilderness outside of Nederland, Colorado, this 7.2-mile out-and-back trail winds through the Roosevelt National Forest and reads like a backcountry explorer’s dream.
Sparkling fields of bright wildflowers dot the landscape. Chirping marmots scurry about the alpine forest. Birds of prey soar through the bright blue skies above. Remnants of an abandoned 19th-century gold mine collect rust at 11,000 feet. Towering mountain peaks nudge their way into the clouds. Rugged hiking trails move towards potential backcountry adventures on the horizon.
Want to learn more about the 4th of July Trail? Keep reading. I’ll tell you everything you need to know to plan an idyllic Rocky Mountain adventure of your own here.
October 19, 2024
Lavi pake a
Bonjou mond la. Mwen se Noel Krasomil, nèg la dèyè lavi a pake. Mwen se yon santye k ap chèche, kontra-jwenn, lari manje-devore, blog-obsede 30-yon bagay soti nan Colorado, Ozetazini. Mwen te yon ekriven vwayaj a plen tan pou plis pase yon ane, ki pa gen okenn fen nan je.
Mwen te kreye lavi a pake pou enspire lòt moun yo vwayaje, vwayaje, ak blog ak objektif - yo grandi pi fò, plis konsantre, ak plis enspire chak jou sou wout la. Mwen vle defi ou pake pi lejè, vwayaje pi lontan, vwayaje pi lwen, ak blog pi entelijan.
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Medya Mansyone
A favorite of ultralight hikers, backpackers, bikers, and travelers, the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the gold standard in water filters for anyone concerned about weight and universal compatibility.
Medya Mansyone
In the morning before getting to the park, I applied insect repellent (Picaridin lotion by Sawyer).
Medya Mansyone
A Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system that blows any other system out of the — say it with me — water.
Soti nan eskwadwon an
Konvèsasyon Kanfi ak kominote nou an, ki soti nan Manm Eskwadwon ak Anbasadè yo nan Brand Patnè ak ekip la Sawyer.
