Bowen Pass–Bowen Lake Trail, 5 sights
12.1 mi · ▲ 3,857 ft · 5 hr 58 min
Bowen Pass–Bowen Lake Trail, 5 sights is a 12.1-mile out-and-back in Never Summer Wilderness near Gaskil, CO. The route reaches Bowen Pass. It climbs 3,857 ft, with sections as steep as 31% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 94/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bowen Pass–Bowen Lake Trail, 5 sights
12.1 mi · ▲ 3,857 ft · 5 hr 58 min
Elevation 9,979–12,203 ft
Out & Back · Never Summer Wilderness
Trailhead: Illinois River Path · 40.37248, -105.97700
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 70°F / low 48° · precip 3% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:33 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start on Illinois River Path, heading E.
- 1.8 miContinue straight onto Parika Lake Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Ruby Mountain Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miPass Bowen Pass.
- 1.4 miSharp right onto Bowen Lake Trail, heading SW.
- 2 miSharp right onto Cascade Mountain Trail, heading W.
- 3.5 miTurn left onto Ruby Mountain Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Parika Lake Trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Illinois River Path, heading NW.
- 1.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.2 mi in (~96 min). Leave by 5:36 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from Illinois River Path Trailhead
- Illinois River Path 3.6 mi · ▲ 1,191 ft
- Illinois Pass Trail 6.1 mi · ▲ 379 ft
- Illinois Pass Trail via Ruby Mountain Trail 11 mi · ▲ 1,779 ft
- Blue Lake–Bowen Pass, 5 sights 11.1 mi · ▲ 3,682 ft
- Parika Lake–Baker Gulch Trail, 5 sights 11.3 mi · ▲ 3,994 ft
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