Gourd Lake Hike

Gourd Lake Hike is a picturesque hike through various Colorado terrain and scenery. This trail will guide you through lush forests, vast meadows, and past cascading waterfalls before culminating at the picturesque Gourd Lake. Because this trail passes through different terrain, make sure you have on appropriate shoes that can maneuver roots and rocks. As you meander along the trail, keep your eye out for moose, they are often spotted along this trail! Note that the access road to the trailhead closes seasonally from mid-November to mid-June.

Start this hike from the Monarch Lake Trailhead. At the trailhead go straight onto Cascade Creek Trail. Follow this trail as it hugs the shore of Monarch Lake. Past the lake you will confront a junction, bear left, staying on Cascade Creek Trail. At the next intersection, veer left onto Buchanan Pass Trail. This section of the trail will get steeper as you ridge the side of Thunderbolt Peak. At the next fork in the road, turn left onto the clearly marked Gourd Lake Trail. This is the final segment of the trial. You will gain more elevation as you navigate a few switchbacks up to Gourd Lake. Enjoy the scenery of encompassing peaks and consider setting up camp for the night if you have a permit and supplies.

Once you are ready to descend, retrace your footsteps back to the trailhead.