Comanche Lake Trail

Comanche Lake is the reward at the end of a spur most people never take. There's no trailhead parking here — you earn it by hiking about 4.4 miles up the Beaver Creek Trail first, then peeling off at a signed junction deep in the Comanche Peak Wilderness. From there it's barely a mile, but it's a real mile: the path dips southwest to a crossing of Beaver Creek, then climbs roughly 380 feet through dense subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce before the trees part on a still, trout-dimpled lake tucked under the peaks. It's little-used and all the better for it — this is a place for anglers and for anyone who came up here to hear nothing but wind and water.

Be honest with yourself about the conditions before you go. All of this is Cameron Peak Fire country — the 2020 burn that took nearly 209,000 acres — so expect standing dead timber, the odd blowdown across the tread, and stretches where the path fades in the ash. Trees still fall here at a high rate, stump holes hide under loose needles, and even a light rainstorm can send flash flooding down the drainage from far upstream. Two unbridged crossings near the top can be a genuine wade in high runoff, and the access road up to Sky Ranch usually isn't clear of snow until mid- to late June. Come with layers, treat your water, keep an eye uphill and on the afternoon sky, and this quiet lake will feel like a secret worth keeping.

Trail Facts

Getting There

There's no road to this one. From Ted's Place, drive up CO-14 to Pingree Park Road (CR-63E) and follow it to the Sky Ranch / Beaver Creek trailhead — the access road is typically clear of snow only from mid- to late June. Hike the Beaver Creek Trail roughly 4.4 miles up into the Comanche Peak Wilderness to a signed junction (about 150 ft below where the Browns Lake Trail branches off); the Comanche Lake Trail drops southwest from there. See the Beaver Creek Trail page for the full driving & approach details.

Know Before You Go

• Burn country. This is Cameron Peak Fire (2020) terrain — watch for falling trees, hidden stump holes, rockslides, and flash flooding after even light rain (it can arrive from far upstream).
• Two unbridged crossings. Near miles 0.9 and 1.0 you cross open stream; both can be difficult or unsafe in high runoff, even if you're set up to wade. The Beaver Creek stringer bridge at 0.06 mi was rebuilt higher in 2024.
• Wilderness rules. No bikes, no e-bikes, no motorized use; group size is capped at 12 people and stock combined inside the Comanche Peak Wilderness.
• Travel Zone camping. The whole trail sits in the Browns Lake / Comanche Lake Travel Zone — no camping or fires within 200 ft of trail or water, self-contained chemical stoves only, and few legal Leave No Trace sites; better options are up the Browns Lake Trail or along Beaver Creek.
• Dogs on leash. Hand-held leash with hikers (voice control only with stock).
• Rough on stock. Not recommended for horses — very rocky, hard on the lake and shore; no overnight stock in the Travel Zone, and weed-free feed is required.
• Not a winter route. Little-used and faint in places; snow-free access usually waits until mid- to late June, and in winter you'd ski or snowshoe 4-plus miles just to reach the junction.