Wild Basin Road is gravel and often narrows to one lane. It isn’t suitable for large vehicles like RVs. Park only in the winter parking lot or other designated
areas. Don’t park in wide spots in the road, which let oncoming cars pass each other. Violators may be ticketed or towed.
Narrow Road, Limited Parking
Exploring the outdoors in winter is truly magical. It’s also challenging. Use this map and guide to plan a safe, fun trip. Be prepared, stay safe, and have fun!
Wild Basin Area Winter Trail Guide
Avalanches can be easily triggered by backcountry travelers.
• Visit avalanche.state.co.us/ for the latest avalanche forecast. If danger is high, consider staying home.
• Avoid traveling in steep gullies and on ridge tops. Open slopes of 30 to 45 degrees can be loaded with danger-ous masses of snow.
• If you choose to travel in these areas, carry an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel. However, don’t take extra risks just because you are carrying this equipment.
• If caught in an avalanche, make swim-ming motions and try to stay on top of the snow.
Be Avalanche Aware
3Wear layers of synthetic or wool clothing that wick moisture.
3Take extra layers of clothing (socks included).
3Bring windproof outer layers, a warm hat, and warm gloves or mittens.
3Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.
Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin even on cold days.
3Drink lots of water and eat high- energy snacks.
3Carry a map and compass or GPS. Know how to use them.
Sledding is not allowed in Wild Basin. Please go to the Hidden Valley Snowplay Area, the only place in Rocky where sledding is permitted.
Don’t walk or snowshoe in ski tracks: it
creates dangerous conditions for skiers.
You must be in control at all times and let others know when you’re approach-ing them. Yield to those traveling faster than you. Pass with care.
Bring the Right Gear
Follow the Rules and Practice Good Etiquette
Emergencies
Expect snow, gusty winds, and cold temperatures at any time. Winter days are short—start early and plan conservatively.
Streams and lakes can have thin ice and be very dangerous. If you choose to
cross, first test your steps with a pole.
Only travel off-trail if you are extremely familiar with the area. Snow-covered landscapes look very different than in summer. Snow can be deep once you are off-trail.
When your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, your body tempera-ture begins to drop. This is an emer-gency medical condition called hypo-thermia. It is serious and can be fatal.
Symptoms include shivering, drowsi-ness, exhaustion, loss of coordination, impaired judgment, and slurred or incoherent speech.
Wear warm, quick-drying layers of clothes. Stay dry. Take frequent stops to warm up.
If symptoms occur, warm the chilled person with dry clothing and warm, non-alcoholic liquids. Get back to your car, and promptly seek medical attention.
Pay Attention to Weather and Conditions
Watch for Hypothermia
Park Information .......................................Emergencies .............................................
(970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
WB-W 11-2016
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A ™
National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain
7
7
Lion LakeNo. 1
ThunderLake Sandbeach
Lake
BluebirdLake
OuzelLake
PearLake
FinchLake
Lion LakeNo. 2
Lyric Falls
FanFalls
MertensiaFalls
ThunderFalls
Trio Falls
FalconLake
BoxLake
TwinLakes
CopelandLake
FrigidLake
Pipit Lake
JuncoLake
Cony Lake
FifthLake
Eagle Lake
MoomawGlacier
Lake ofMany Winds
SnowbankLake
KeplingerLake
CopelandFalls
CalypsoCascades
OuzelFalls
Hutcheson
Cony
Ouzel
North St. Vrain
North
St. Vrain
Creek
Creek
Creek
Creek
Hunters
Sandbeach Creek
Creek
Lakes
Meeker Park
Allenspark
Wild BasinEntranceStation
Sandbeach LakeTrailhead
Finch LakeTrailhead
Wild BasinTrailhead
Gate
Boulder-GrandPass
No
rt
h
Ri d
ge
WI
LD
BA
SI
N
Horsetooth Peak10344ft3153m
Tanima Peak12420ft3786m
PilotMountain
Mount Meeker13911ft4240m
Mount Orton11724ft3573m
Isolation Peak13118ft3998m
Mahana Peak12632ft3850m
Copeland Mountain13176ft4016m
Elk Tooth12848ft3916m
Lookout Mountain10715ft3266m
Mount Alice13310ft4057m
Ouzel Peak12716ft3876m
Ogalalla Peak13138ft4004m
Wild BasinWinter Trailhead
1.3mi2.1km
1.4mi2.3km
0.8mi1.3km
0.3mi0.5km
0.3mi0.5km
0.2mi0.3km
0.6mi1.0km
0.3mi0.5km0.9mi
1.4km
1.3mi2.1km
1.3mi2.1km
1.8mi2.9km
2.2mi3.5km
1.4mi2.3km
1.8mi2.9km
0.4mi0.6km
0.4mi0.6km
0.4mi0.6km 1.2mi
1.9km0.9mi1.4km
0.9mi1.4km
1.3mi2.1km
2.2mi3.5km
2.0mi3.2km
2.9mi4.7km
ToEstes Park
To Lyonsand Nederland
DESTINATION DISTANCEmi km ft m
ELEVATION GAIN
From Wild Basin Winter Trailhead
Copeland Falls
Calypso Cascades
Ouzel Falls
Ouzel Lake
Thunder Lake
Lion Lake No. 1
Bluebird Lake
Finch Lake
1.1
2.6
3.5
5.7
7.4
7.8
7.1
6.1
1.8
4.2
5.6
9.2
11.9
12.6
11.4
9.8
15
700
950
1510
2074
2565
2478
1412
5
213
290
460
632
782
755
430
DESTINATION DISTANCEmi km ft m
ELEVATION GAIN
From Wild Basin Winter Trailhead (continued)
Finch Lake
Pear Lake
From Sandbeach Lake Trailhead
Sandbeach Lake
All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.
5.1
7.1
4.2
8.2
11.4
6.8
1442
2112
1971
440
644
601
Trail
0.7mi1.1km
Trail distances
Trailhead
0
0
1 Mile0.5
1 Kilometer0.5
North
Unpaved road
Closed roadWild Basin Area Trails Rocky can be busy on winter weekends.Congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails is possible. Parking areas can �ll by mid-morning. Consider carpooling to the trailhead.