Up the Valley from Bluebird Lake

Overview

Isolation Peak sits deep in Wild Basin in the southern part of Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Wild Basin trailhead you follow the trail to Bluebird Lake, then walk up the valley beyond past Pipit Lake to Isolation Lake and climb easy slopes west to the summit.

It is Class 2, with talus. The valley route is easier than cutting up to the ridge south of the peak, which is steep, loose talus.

The round trip is about 17.6 miles with 4,940 feet of gain. Most people backpack to the Upper Ouzel campsite (permit required) and pair it with Ogalalla or Copeland.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

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.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Wild Basin trailhead 8,500' · 0 mi

   Walk the busy Wild Basin Trail west, keeping North St. Vrain Creek on your left, past Copeland Falls.

2. 2

   Calypso Falls 8,900' · 1.9 mi

   At 1.5 miles, go left for about 0.4 mile to Calypso Falls and join the trail heading west.

3. 3

   Ouzel Falls 9,400' · 2.8 mi

   Continue west to Ouzel Falls.

4. 4

   Bluebird Lake trail 9,500' · 3.2 mi

   At the following junction, go left for Ouzel and Bluebird lakes, zigzagging up to a wide, open ridge.

5. 5

   Ouzel Lake turnoff 10,000' · 4.6 mi

   Pass the turnoff for Ouzel Lake. Copeland Mountain's steep north side fills the view across the valley.

6. 6

   Upper Ouzel campsite 10,600' · 6 mi

   The trail climbs gently, then more steeply near the end, to the signed turnoff for the Upper Ouzel backcountry campsite.

7. 7

   Bluebird Lake 10,980' · 6.4 mi

   Climb about 0.4 mile more to the lake.

8. 8

   Pipit Lake 11,420' · 7.6 mi

   Cross the outlet and walk northwest along the shore, then up the valley, staying on the north side above Lark Pond and Pipit Lake.

9. 9

   Isolation Lake 11,980' · 8.1 mi

   Swing north to Isolation Lake.

10. 10

    Summit 13,114' · 8.8 mi

    Walk up fairly easy slopes of rock and tundra to the west to the summit.

Getting down

Return the same way, or continue south along the ridge to Ogalalla Peak.

If things go wrong

The valley leads straight back to Bluebird Lake.

3D flyover

See the trail on video

Other routes

Every way up Isolation Peak we list, with its class.

• Isolation Pk South Ridge this routeClass 2 17.6 mi