The Citadel–Herman Lake, 3 summits is a 9-mile out-and-back in Arapaho National Forest near Bakerville, CO. The route passes Herman Lake before reaching The Citadel at the turnaround, 4.5 miles in. It climbs 2,922 ft, with sections as steep as 42% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 37/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi10,302 – 13,101 ft · steepest grade: 42%9.3 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Herman Gulch Trail 39.70240, -105.85428
Nearest town Bakerville, CO
Directions
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The Citadel–Herman Lake, 3 summits
9 mi · ▲ 2,922 ft · 4 hr 28 min
Elevation 10,304–13,100 ft
Out & Back · Arapaho National Forest
Trailhead: Herman Gulch Trail · 39.70240, -105.85428
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:32 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Herman Gulch Trail, heading NE.
- 3.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Herman Lake.
- 0.5 miBear left, heading S.
- 0.8 miReach The Citadel, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.9 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 3.1 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
71% dirt29% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:35 AMSunset 7:32 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.5 mi in (~192 min). Leave by 4:00 PM for the 7:32 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Herman Gulch Trail Trailhead
- Herman Gulch Trail & Watrous Gulch 4.6 mi · ▲ 1,643 ft
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