Trappers Lake Loop Trail is a 5.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Yampa, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and fishing and is best used from June until August. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO
Directions from Meeker: Trappers Lake Trail is located 51 miles east of Meeker. Take State Highway 13 east out of Meeker for one mile; turn right on County Road 8 for 39 miles to the Trappers Lake Road turn right for 10 miles to the Trappers Lake outlet trailhead. From the Outlet Trailhead, head south on the Carhart Trail around the east side of Trappers Lake for 2 miles to Trappers Lake Trail.
September 10, 2020Beautiful scenery, I could only imagine what it looked like before the fire. Several nice streams along the path. I agree with those below regarding the net elevation, there are a lot of ups and downs. Not much shade.
September 5, 2020August 12, 2020This trail is within the 2002 fire scar so there's zero shade for 95% of it. The AllTrails elevation datum is 636 feet, which may be lowest to highest, but with the ups and downs our net elevation was around 2,300. The trail is generally easy with a clear path and few challenges. Going counterclockwise there's a stream crossing near the beginning that was a bit tricky. During peak runoff, that may not be safely passable.
August 7, 2020Just a quick climb up the hill from the trailhead to the lake! We took the trail to the right of the lake first hoping to go all the way around and got frustrated getting caught up in a wetland area and turned back (if you want to take the whole loop take the trail to the right of the post without a sign to avoid getting trapped by the wetland area or go around the lake by taking the trail to the left when you come up in front of the lake). We looped back around to the front of the lake and took the trail to the left this side of the lake seemed very dry and arid due to the tree damage from the beetles but it was lush and full of wildflowers even in early August! Many people were canoeing, SUPing, and fishing on the lake! Overall it was a very peaceful and remote hike and not too strenuous a great hike to help train for harder hikes and plenty of activities! There were plenty of footpaths to explore near the main trail bringing you to multiple different ways to access the lake. Enjoy.
July 13, 2020June 22, 2020November 7, 2013
First to ReviewI hiked up to Trappers lake in Aug of 1994,,,,,I started at a small campground just up above Buford CO. It's been so long ago that I don't remember the name of the camping area nor do I remember the length of the hike. I am guessing it was only about 3 miles or so but it was straight up til we hit that beautiful plateau and then maybe a 1/2 mile to Trappers Lake. We pitched our tent out in the open close to the lake. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It was my first Backpacking trip in CO. I was hooked! We when came down a couple days later we stayed one night in Buford. It was great! Trail was not difficult just steep!
August 15, 2020July 27, 2020July 12, 2020July 11, 2020July 5, 2020June 7, 2020September 5, 2019July 29, 2019July 21, 2019September 9, 2018August 25, 2015April 12, 2015September 9, 2014
