Beaver Reservoir to Monarch Lake Hike

The Beaver Reservoir to Monarch Lake Trail is an exhilarating hike. Navigate through primitive trails, scale Sawtooth Mountain and the Continental Divide all in one day. Make sure you grab your trail GPS prior to heading out because the hike traverses through some underdeveloped areas. Don’t fret though, we’ve got you! Additionally, make sure you are adequately experienced before conquering this trail, you will need to scramble up steep rock taluses, navigate switchbacks and be comfortable hiking off the beaten path. Don’t forget to leave a car at the finish line!

Begin this trail at the Beaver Reservoir Parking Lot. From here, hook onto Coney Creek Road. Hike Coney Creek Road for a while before crossing a bridge. After the bridge, veer left onto the Beaver Creek Trail. Follow this trail through the woodlands as you gradually gain elevation. Stay on this path as it merges onto Buchanan Pass Trail, stay left here. At this point, you will ascend the treeline and begin your climb up to Buchanan Pass. This segment of the trail is rocky and steep. Be careful when scrambling up the ridge. Navigate the rocky switchbacks until you summit the Continental Divide.

Once on the pass, feel free to hike the steep, but short climb up to Sawtooth Mountain peak. Here you will be rewarded with expanse vistas of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Head back down the summit to Buchanan Pass. Descend the west side of the pass, maneuvering loose boulders and the rocky scree. Continue along Buchanan Pass Trail as you dip back below the tree line. Do your best to stay on this trail. Eventually you will encounter a junction with the Cascade Creek Trail, take this path west as it guides you down to Monarch Lake and to the Parking lot.