The South Arapaho Peak hike was the first high alpine hike above 13,000 feet that I did in Colorado. It was a totally epic day on the trails with good friends. South Arapaho Peak is one of those hikes that locals will do many times over and over again. If you live along the Front Range, or are visiting Boulder or Denver, it is hard to beat this hike. You will witness spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area upon this summit.
Why hike and summit South Arapaho Peak?
South Arapaho Peak stands at 13,397 feet, and is the 4th tallest peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. This hike is truly magical and is super accessible if you live along the front range or are visiting Denver, or Boulder. If you are camping or backpacking in this area, South Arapaho Peak can be done as a day hike. This is a great hike to do in the early Summer as the snow is melting out, the wildflowers are popping up. The peaks, the lakes, the views and the scenery in this basin are just never-ending gorgeous everywhere you go.
Where to start this hike – 4th of July trailhead
Start your hike to South Arapaho Peak at the: 4th of July trailhead.
Drive a short distance South on Colorado 119 from Nederland, and turn right on Eldora Rd. Follow to the small historical town of Eldora. Drive approximately 1.5 miles and veer right up 4th of July Rd. Continue on up 4.5 miles and 1000 feet to the 4th of July trailhead.
This is a busy trailhead, especially on weekends when hikers and backpackers are heading into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Arrive early if you want the best chance of getting a parking spot and keeping your original hiking plan intact.
The 4th of July Trailhead has about 30–40 parking spaces. If you get there around sunrise or earlier, you’ll have a good chance at finding a parking spot. If you arrive later than that, and the lot is full, arrive with a plan-B hike that you could do from the Hessie Trailhead so that your day isn’t wasted.
When to do the South Arapaho Peak hike?
This hike is traditionally done from the 4th of July weekend through until about mid-October. The road in opens and closes based on snowfall. You might get to hike it earlier in mid to late June. The best time to do this hike is early in the morning, early to mid-July, and on a clear sunny day.
Though, if you want to add on North Arapaho Peak to your day, non-windy days are best, and later in the season so that all snow and ice on the traverse from South Arapaho Peak to North Arapaho Peak has melted out.
When not to do the South Arapaho Peak hike?
From mid-October through May, expect this hike to be much more difficult and potentially hazardous. Winter conditions can bring deep snow, ice, extreme cold, and slower travel.
In the Summer, you must be aware of the local weather before you start hiking so you know what to expect and at what time.
Check: South Arapaho Peak weather report
During the afternoons, there can be (and often are) violent thunder and lightning storms in the Colorado high country. This hike is rather exposed in the upper tundra section and summit area. It would take most people 60 minutes to descend from the summit to below tree line (safer) – so it is best to start early, and ideally on a clear day.
If you plan to do South Arapaho Peak and North Arapaho Peak together it is best to do them later in the Summer so that all snow has melted out along the traverse that is all rock.
Difficulty rating
This 13er hike is going to be hard for many hikers due to the high altitude and steep sections of the trail.
The 4th of July Trailhead sits at approximately 10,100 feet according to the City of Boulder. And, you will hike all the way up to 13,397 feet. The higher altitude can make it harder to move and can slow you down. The highest stretch to the summit is also the steepest stretch of this hike. On sunny days, for much of this hike you can face a considerable amount of intense sun exposure. This is draining and can make your day harder if you do not bring adequate sun protection.
Total distance and elevation
The South Arapaho Peak hike is approximately 8.6 miles in distance and 3,250 feet of total elevation gain according to my recordings – see below.
Hiking time
This hike will take most hikers 5-7 hours to complete. But, if weather is good, take your time exploring, and embrace the beauty.
Terrain
The hike starts in forest and switch-backs up higher on a hard-packed dirt and rock trail. You will encounter small streams from melting snow that cross some parts of the trail but are easy to navigate. As you get above 11,500 feet the trail gets rockier. Above 12,000 feet the dirt and rock trail cuts through open tundra. The final push to the summit from the Arapaho saddle is primarily rock and the hiking gets a bit more technical, though remains easy class 2+.
Gear advisor
This is not an easy hike and you will be out on the trails for a full day. These are a few key items that I recommend specifically for the South Arapaho hike.
- Sturdy lightweight hiking shoes or trail running shoes (reco) with good traction that have lug treads greater than 4mm
- Lightweight trekking poles (reco: via black diamond or amazon) to conserve energy and offer extra balance in tricky spots.
- Sun protection – bring sun block, sun hat, lightweight sun hoodie (reco), sun gloves, sun arm sleeves
- Wind protection – lightweight windbreaker (reco) or running jacket (reco)
- Water filter (reco) to collect fresh water – this enables you to carry less from the start of the hike
- Small backpack for day hikes with hydration bladder (reco: backcountry – amazon), trail running hydration vest (reco), or waist pack
South Arapaho Peak Hike: Route and directions
I have done this hike twice, but only by taking the Southeast Ridge route via Arapaho Pass Trail and Arapaho Glacier Trail.
You can also hike to South Arapaho Peak via Arapaho Glacier Trail from the East, starting at the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead.
Park your car at the 4th of July trailhead, do your final preparations, and get hiking.
Head up Arapaho Pass Trail. You will switchback up a pleasant trail through forest for just over a mile until you break above the tree line. On your left and ahead you can see Jasper Peak and Mount Neva. On the right as you get higher up, a waterfall stream of snow melt off splashes across the trail. Columbines start blooming in June. It’s a beautiful spot.
At about 2 miles distance and 11,200 feet of elevation you will arrive at a flatter and somewhat more open area that is the scene of the Fourth of July mine. Look to the right (North) and find the Arapaho Glacier Trail that heads straight upwards and East to wide open tundra. The trail turns sharply to the North West. Continue up towards Arapaho Saddle, and eventually the summit.
Make your way up to the Arapaho saddle that is between Old Baldy and South Arapaho Peak. You will notice the other part of Arapaho Glacier Trail that meets at this juncture from the East (Rainbow Lakes Trailhead). You can also peak over and catch some views of Arapaho Glacier below the saddle – see my photos below.
Next, start your approach to the summit. The final approach is another 0.5 miles distance and 700 feet up. The lightly visible trail is just left (generally North West) and away from the ridge that drops down sharply to the Arapaho Glacier 1000 feet below. Work your way up to the wind shelter and summit. The last time that I arrived at this summit, I saw a weasel or marten, so you may be welcomed.
These are my Strava and AllTrails recordings from recent South Arapaho Peak summits.
Add-ons to the hike
If you want more adventure and a fun but somewhat spicy scramble you can navigate the traverse to North Arapaho Peak. There is some tricky class 3 scrambling moves so be sure to do your research. I have not done this traverse because it has been too windy both times I hiked to South Arapaho Peak. The North Arapaho Peak hike is on my list to do this year and I will soon post a complete review.
Another relatively easy add-on is to hike up to Lake Dorothy that is further up Arapaho Pass Trail that could be done after you summit South Arapaho Peak. You can also drop down (750 feet) on the West side of Arapaho Pass to Caribou Lake that looks stunning from above. v
Final thoughts
The hike to South Arapaho Peak is one of the best hikes and 13er summits that you can do in the Front Range. The views are incredible and it is tough to say goodbye once you are up on this summit. You could sit and look at these views and never get tired of the beauty.
A great way to complete the day after doing this challenging hike is to hang out by the creek near the parking lot. Chill, eat, drink, relax, dip your feet in the creek, and re-energize before you head out.
Photos from my hikes to South Arapaho Peak in Colorado:
This basin is a beautiful place to hike. My photos below are from my most recent hike up to South Arapaho Peak that was in June, so this is why there is a fair amount of lingering snow..
Mount Jasper the middle triangular peak covered in snow that is a fun snow climb that I have done in June.
Looking down at Diamond Lake and the basin that extends up to Upper Diamond Lake mid-way up the Arapaho Glacier Trail to South Arapaho Peak.
Look across at Mount Neva straight ahead, and the Arapaho Pass Trail on the right. Gorgeous country.
Looking up the Arapaho Glacier Trail to the rocky summit of South Arapaho Peak.
Getting closer to Arapaho Saddle and the Arapaho Glacier below.
Looking down at the Arapaho Glacier from the Saddle.
Looking South West towards Lake Dorothy and Arapaho Pass.
Working my way up the final 500-700 feet of rocky terrain to the summit of South Arapaho Peak.
Looking down across the vast tundra and the faint line of the Arapaho Glacier Trail.
Looking South from near the summit of South Arapaho Peak – almost at the top. You can see some 14ers (Grays, Torreys, Bluesky, and Bierstadt) in the middle of the photo.
The final stretch to the summit. You can see that I stayed pretty close to the ridge that drops off on the right – not necessarily recommended – there is more space left and no exposure that exists on my right.
Looking across the traverse to North Arapaho Peak. I can see some footprints on the left of the photo that is the way. I have not yet done North Arapaho Peak but hope to this year. It has some fun class 3 scrambling moves.
Looking down at the Arapaho Glacier from the summit of South Arapaho Peak.
The flat and large summit of North Arapaho Peak across the way. Beautiful snow.
Jasper Peak on the left and Mount Neva on the right with Lake Dorothy.
Looking across layers of front range mountains to the South East while descending South Arapaho Peak. You can see the backside runs of Eldora to the middle right of this photo.
