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The Baker Gulch to Bowen Gulch Loop Trail is a 19-miler two hours northwest of Denver that delivers national park-caliber scenery. It starts in Rocky Mountain National Park before moving into the 21,090-acre Never Summer Wilderness, offering clutches of 13,000-foot peaks—the range’s cloud mountains Cumulus, Nimbus, and Stratus—amid trout-laden alpine lakes and a dose of wilderness-grade solitude.
Night one on the trail at the gorgeous Parika Lake. [Photo by Kim Phillips]From the Bowen-Baker trailhead, set off through a mile of Rocky Mountain National Park forest before crossing into the 21,090-acre Never Summer Wilderness.
Bear right at the Y-junction heading northwest toward Baker Gulch. Climb 2,500 feet on the 5.4-mile hike to camp, passing under mixed conifers before reaching open glades. Look left for moose (they hang here), then cross Baker Gulch at mile 4.2. From here, it’s 1.3 switchbacking miles through Indian paintbrush and columbine to your camp at Parika Lake (11,380 feet). Bring a rod to cast for dinner.
Day Two: Parika Lake to Bowen-Baker Trailhead
Taking a break on the Continental Divide Trail. [Photo by Kim Phillips]The next morning, get moving by 8 a.m. to conquer the day’s Continental Divide ridgewalk before afternoon storms move in (usually 2 p.m. in summer months). You’ll reach the ridge in .6 mile, gaining 600 feet. Turn southwest onto the Divide for 360-degree views of the three “cloud mountains” of the Never Summer Range: Mts. Cumulus (12,725 feet), Nimbus (12,706 feet), and Stratus (12,461 feet). In 1.4 miles, turn left at the T-junction to link to the Continental Divide Trail. You’ll pass fields of knee-high wildflowers (July) for about a mile before reaching Bowen Pass. From here, drop 1,000 feet over 1.4 miles to a junction with Bowen Lake Trail. Continue southeast down the gulch, through thick spruce and lodgepole, steering left at its end to reach your car in 2.7 miles.
Got an extra day?
Enjoy the seclusion of Bowen Lake. [Photo by Kim Phillips]Hike down the Bowen Lake Trail for 1.4 miles to a secluded camp site at Bowen Lake (11,019 feet). Pack up the next morning and make the quick hike back to your car.
Permits and Logistics
Hiking just below the Continental Divide. [Photo by Kim Phillips]Permits: No, there is no permit required to camp in the Never Summer Wilderness. If you park at the Baker-Bowen trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, you will likely have to pay an entry fee and get a “no-fee” permit to park overnight there.
The Map: Baker Gulch to Bowen Gulch Loop Trail
-Mapped by Kim Phillips, Kris Wagner, and Scott Gates
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