Lone Eagle Peak Climbing

The Lone Eagle Cirque can be approached from the east over Pawnee Pass or from the west starting at the Monarch Lake trailhead. No matter which way you go it's a long hump. There is plenty of potential for new (trad) routes and bouldering in the Crater Lake/Triangle Lake area. This area is quite pristine. Do your best to keep it that way!

From the east: access the Brainard Lake Recreation Area via the Peak-to-Peak Highway (northwest of Denver and north of Nederland). Drive west past Brainard Lake to the Long Lake trailhead and follow the Pawnee Pass trail 4-5 miles to the pass at 12,500 feet on the Continental Divide. Descend the west side of Pawnee Pass (very steep), passing Pawnee Lake en route to a junction with the Crater Lake Trail 3 miles below the pass. Hike a gentle uphill mile south to Crater Lake (camping permit required -- you can get these at the National Forest Service office in Boulder). Lone Eagle Peak is the towering pinnacle just south of and above the lake.

From the west: per Kaner: take US 34 north out of Granby. Exit to the east on Arapaho Bay Road. Skirt the southern side of Grand Lake; the road turns into solid gravel, smooth and well-kept, no 2WD worries.

Pass Arapaho Bay and continue towards Monarch Lake Trailhead. Park and start hiking east on Cascade Creek Trail. Follow signs towards Crater Lake, Lone Eagle dominates.