Overview
Copeland Mountain is the big, broad peak on the south side of Wild Basin. This route leaves the Ouzel Falls trail, climbs a steep, old burn to a long meadow, fights about a mile of deadfall to an opening near 10,600 feet, then walks gentle tundra and scree up the east ridge.
It is Class 2, but the bushwhack is slow: one party took two hours to cover two miles. A GPS with waypoints is a big help. The party that wrote up this route later thought going from Ouzel Lake up the northeast side would be easier.
The round trip is about 13.2 miles with 4,675 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 5:30 a.m.
Be at the 10,600-foot opening by 10 a.m.
The long bushwhack through fallen trees.
Difficult. Leave the trail about halfway to Ouzel Falls where it turns sharply northeast around a small ridge, and head west-southwest. You won't see Copeland until you're out of the trees.
North St. Vrain Creek, Ouzel Creek and the lakes. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Wild Basin (Rocky Mountain National Park)
From Lyons, take Colorado 7 to Allenspark and continue about 2.4 miles north to the signed Wild Basin turnoff on the left (from Estes Park, drive south on Colorado 7). Follow County Road 84 west, then turn right onto the Wild Basin road, which turns to gravel at the entrance station and the Sandbeach Lake trailhead.
Continue past Copeland Lake about 2 more miles to the Wild Basin trailhead lot, with a ranger station and toilets. It fills on weekends; arrive early or carpool.
There's no camping at the trailhead. Olive Ridge Campground (between Allenspark and the turnoff) and Meeker Park are the nearest. Backcountry campsites need a park permit, often booked months ahead. The park charges an entry fee and may require a timed-entry reservation in summer. Dogs aren't allowed on trails. Check the park website.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Wild Basin (Rocky Mountain National Park). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →