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.

마지막 업데이트

October 19, 2024

작성자
사진 썸네일 블로그 작성자

포장 가능한 삶

더 패커블 라이프의 미디어 언급

안녕하세요, 여러분. 저는 더 패커블 라이프의 노엘 크라소밀입니다. 저는 미국 콜로라도에서 온 트레일을 찾고, 거래를 찾고, 길거리 음식을 먹고, 블로그에 집착하는 30대입니다. 저는 1년 넘게 전업 여행 작가로 활동하며 끝이 보이지 않는 여행을 하고 있습니다.

저는 다른 사람들이 여행, 하이킹, 블로깅에 목적을 두고 매일 더 강해지고, 더 집중하고, 더 많은 영감을 얻을 수 있도록 영감을 주기 위해 The Packable Life를 만들었습니다. 더 가볍게 짐을 싸고, 더 오래 여행하고, 더 멀리 하이킹하고, 더 스마트하게 블로그를 운영할 수 있도록 도전하고 싶습니다.

더 많은 콘텐츠 살펴보기

미디어 언급

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.

Scott Gilbertson
Senior Writer and Reviewer

미디어 언급

In the morning before getting to the park, I applied insect repellent (Picaridin lotion by Sawyer).

Julie, Earth Trekkers
Author and Photographer

미디어 언급

A Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system that blows any other system out of the — say it with me — water.

Rachel Dunkel
Freeland Writer