Peak 10 & Upper Crystal Lake via Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway
15.2 mi · ▲ 5,525 ft · 7 hr 50 min
Peak 10 & Upper Crystal Lake via Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway is a 15.2-mile out-and-back near Wheeler Junction, CO. The route passes Peak 10 before reaching Upper Crystal Lake at the turnaround, 7.6 miles in. It climbs 5,525 ft, with sections as steep as 68% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 43/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Peak 10 & Upper Crystal Lake via Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway
15.2 mi · ▲ 5,525 ft · 7 hr 50 min
Elevation 9,696–13,640 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 39.50175, -106.14254
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 70°F / low 44° · precip 10% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:37 AM · sunset 7:33 PM
Transit-accessible: Copper Entrance stop 240 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.6 miBear right onto Sky Chutes Lane, heading E.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Tenmile Recpath, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway, heading E.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Wheeler Trail, heading SE.
- 3.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 1.3 miPass Peak 10.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.5 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 0.4 miSharp right onto Crystal Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miPass Upper Crystal Lake.
- 350 ftReach Peak 10, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.4 miSharp right, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Wheeler Trail, heading N.
- 3.3 miContinue straight onto Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 450 ftBear right onto Tenmile Recpath, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Sky Chutes Lane, heading N.
- 150 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.2 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 5.4 mi in (~218 min). Leave by 3:35 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Copper Entrance stop 240 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Colorado Trail (Segment 8) & Haul Road 1.9 mi · ▲ 122 ft
- Tenmile Recpath 2.5 mi · ▲ 54 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 314 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 294 ft
- West Lake & Elk Alley via Copper Mountain Road 3.8 mi · ▲ 644 ft
- Colorado Trail (Segment 8) 4.3 mi · ▲ 525 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Wheeler Junction, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Wheeler Junction, Colorado