Elevation: 8,312-10,283 ft
Elevation Gain: 2,146 ft (cumulative), 1,971 ft (net)
Sandbeach Lake is lovely fall hike that meanders through juvenile aspen groves and along a ridge overlooking the golden marshes of the St. Vrain Valley. Its destination, Sandbeach Lake, is also embraced by shrubbery along its banks that reflect the season in greens, golds, and reds.
The lake sits below Mt. Meeker, which dominates the skyline. Now I know how the ant feels when looking up at a lumbering Texas Longhorn. Sandbeach is aptly named because it is bordered on two sides by wide, sink your toes in, sand beaches. The sand is actually a remnant of Glacier that carved out the north side of Meeker and it covers much of the area. Local residents have to battle it when digging any sort of hole.
The other unique thing about Sandbeach is that it exists in a broad sub-alpine valley, which is reminiscent of lakes in the Sierras. There is a sense of airiness you don’t get from most of Colorado’s starker alpine tarns. This is place you will want to linger, set up camp, open a bookstore, drink freshly picked Chamomile tea.
At over 2,000 ft elevation gain, this trail is not for couch potatoes, but for anyone used to hiking it will be fairly easy. There are steep, rocky sections but also frequent flat transects that enable the hiker to catch his breath.
While in the trees most of the time, there are views of the St. Vrain Valley, interesting rock formations, boulder fields (again left over from the glacier), stream crossings, as well as intimate meadows and aspen groves. Given all its pleasures, and the serenity of its destination, I am surprised that it is one of the lesser-known hikes within Rocky Mountain National Park’s Wild Basin area. Not necessarily a bad thing for us locals who cringe at the teeming hordes that descends upon Bear Lake every summer.
So, fill your thermos with apple cider, pack up some pumpkin pie, and wallow in Autumn on the Sandbeach trail.
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