Sandbeach Lake

WEEKEND WANDERINGS

For the last few years, we have done a minimum of one backpacking trip a year in Rocky Mountain National Park. We’re so fortunate to have such an incredible park in our “backyard.” These trips have allowed us to explore more areas of the park and usually take us to places that are less traveled. Last year, we enjoyed a 5 day , 4 night trip over the 4th of July and on the 4th of July saw a total of 3 people! We also did a trip with friends in August to Sandbeach Lake. The permits for backcountry camp sites open in March and we are usually ready with a list of trips and sites we want the morning they open. Sandbeach Lake has four individual camp sites and one group site. It is a very popular destination and we were lucky to get the group site.

We met our friends at the Wild Basin trailhead to start our hike. It is a 4.5 mile hike, climbing 1,900 feet to the lake. The start of the trail is steep but in general it is a moderate trail. On our way up, the weather alternated between light rain showers and sun streaming through the clouds.

The trail drops you off at the northern shore of the lake. We found the group site at the northern most tip of the lake and set up camp before the rain rolled in. The best part about the national park backcountry sites is there are always flat spots for your tent, water is close by, and they are usually in gorgeous locations!

After the rain, we set out to explore the area around the lake. The view to the north is dominated by Mount Meeker. To the south, you can see St. Vrain Mountain and Mount Copeland. As its name suggests, the northeastern shore of the lake is predominately a sand beach. Walking out into the water felt chilly but when we jumped right in, it felt surprisingly warm for a Rocky Mountain lake. It was a treat to enjoy a sand beach, a lake you could swim in while surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.