Sandbeach Lake Trail

The first third-mile climbs through ponderosa pine to a crest near Copeland Moraine. The grade eases for a stretch as the trail contours below the ridge, with openings into the North St. Vrain Creek valley and aspen groves along the way. Those easier middle miles make a welcome breather, but the route never turns into a flat walk. The high starting elevation makes every climb count.

Around mile 1.3, at the Meeker Park trail junction, continue toward Sandbeach Lake. The path follows lower Lookout Mountain, passing Hole-in-the-Wall and Campers Creek before Beaver Mill. It crosses Hunters Creek a little beyond 3.5 miles from the trailhead, then climbs through forest toward the lake campground and north shore. Save energy for that final stretch instead of treating the early ridge as the whole climb.

The turnaround is a broad sandy beach at the lake's north shore. Mount Copeland rises to the southwest, with St. Vrain Mountain to the south. Take a real break here; the shore makes a distinctive foreground for views across the water. The lake is the payoff for a long approach, so leave yourself enough time to enjoy it before walking the same trail back.

Sandbeach Lake was once held behind a rock-and-dirt dam. After the 1982 Lawn Lake dam failure, the park removed the Sandbeach and Pear Lakes dams in 1988 and regraded the ground. Greenback cutthroat trout were reintroduced to Sandbeach Lake after the dam was removed, and the shore is being allowed to recover naturally.

Use the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead parking area just inside the Wild Basin entrance station. The lot is small and can fill early. Pets are prohibited on park trails, including this one; leashed pets are limited to designated roads, parking areas, campgrounds, and picnic areas.