Front Range Range · Colorado 13er · No. 238 of the 13ers
East Ledges from Long Lake
Apache Peak, 13,450'
DifficultyClass 2+
Round trip10.4 mi
Elevation gain2,905'
TrailheadLong Lake (Brainard Lake)
Trailhead elevation10,535'
Conditions on the summit
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Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Colorado 13er · East Ledges from Long Lake
Overview
Apache Peak is one of the most striking summits in the Indian Peaks, above Lake Isabelle west of Boulder. From the Long Lake trailhead you follow the trail past Lake Isabelle into a series of higher basins, then climb a system of rock ledges to Apache's south ridge and walk north to the top.
The East Ledges route is Class 2+ on rock, talus and gravel. Early in summer, the Apache Couloir next to it is a classic snow climb of 35 to 45 degrees that needs an ice axe and crampons or microspikes; watch for a cornice at the top.
The round trip is about 10.4 miles with 2,905 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m.; the lots fill very early.
Turnaround
Be in the 12,100-foot basin by 9:30 a.m.
Crux
Route-finding on the ledges, or steep snow if you take the couloir.
Route-finding
Moderate. From the 12,100-foot basin, head toward the snowfield below the Navajo-Apache saddle, then turn right (north) onto the ledges before reaching it.
On the Peak to Peak Highway (Colorado 72), turn west onto the Brainard Lake road a little north of the Ward turnoff. It climbs switchbacks to a large new parking area and then the fee station; in summer you may need a timed-entry reservation, so check ahead. A shuttle also runs up the valley.
About two miles on, at Brainard Lake's west end, the road bridges South St. Vrain Creek and splits. Two left turns bring you to the Long Lake lot. It fills first on summer weekends; arrive early.
No camping is allowed past the fee station except at Pawnee Campground, which takes reservations months ahead. Camp Dick (north on 72) and Rainbow Lakes (south on 72) are other Forest Service campgrounds. Backcountry camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness needs a permit.
Trail in the treesTalus and screeTundraScramblingExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Long Lake trailhead 10,535' · 0 mi
Walk the good trail through forest past the Long Lake outlet.
2
Isabelle Glacier junction 10,600' · 1.2 mi
Follow the north shore, away from the lake, for about a mile. Stay left for the trail marked Isabelle Glacier.
3
Lake Isabelle 10,870' · 2.2 mi
The trail steepens before the lake, then follows its north shore through willows and rubble.
4
Upper basins 11,300' · 2.8 mi
Climb switchbacks beside a cascading stream into the next basin. The trail crosses the stream and gets vague for a bit.
5
Lake below Shoshone 11,700' · 3.4 mi
Climb to a basin with a small lake below Shoshone Peak. It is mostly rock from here, and snow early in summer.
6
Upper basin 12,100' · 3.8 mi
Continue west-southwest, off trail or on faint climber paths, to a boulder-filled basin at the foot of Apache and Navajo.
7
East Ledges 12,700' · 4.4 mi
Head toward the big snowfield below the Apache-Navajo saddle and, a little below it, turn right (north) onto a maze of rock ledges. One clear ledge leads north partway up.
8
South ridge 13,200' · 4.8 mi
Climb broken rock and boulders fairly directly to Apache's south ridge.
9
Summit 13,450' · 5.2 mi
Walk north on easier rocky ground to the top, with views over the plains, the Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Getting down
Go back down the ledges. With an ice axe and the skills to use it, the Apache Couloir makes a fine glissade when snow-filled.
If things go wrong
Below the ledges, the basins lead back to the trail.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Past Lake Isabelle the route is off trail through boulders and ledges. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
Other routes
Every way up Apache Peak we list, with its class.
Apache Peak ESE Couloir (AKA the "Ledges")this routeClass 2+ 10.4 mi
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.