McIntyre Lake Trail

By the time you reach the McIntyre Lake Trail you are already a long way into the Rawah Wilderness — this isn't a trail you drive to, but one you find deep in the backcountry, hanging between the Rawah Trail at Rawah Lake #1 and the Link Trail up on the ridge. And after the miles it took to get here, it comes as a gift: an easy, well-trodden mile and a half through established spruce-fir forest, where the tread is clear underfoot even if the old blazes have faded and the rock cairns are few and far between. The trail dips into the McIntyre Creek drainage, climbs gently to McIntyre Lake tucked at 10,630 feet, then rolls up a north-facing ridge and back down to meet the Rawah Trail again.

Take your time here. The lake sits in a pocket of forest with a broad bench just southeast of it — a favorite spot to camp and let stock graze, with water an easy walk down to the creek out of Little Rainbow Lake. Keep in mind this is true wilderness with true wilderness manners: no bikes, no wheels of any kind, wood fires off the table above 10,800 feet in the Rawah Alpine Closure, and camps kept 200 feet from water and trail. The two unbridged crossings of McIntyre Creek can run fast and cold in early season, so pick your line and be ready to wade — and know the whole trail sleeps under snow until Laramie River Road opens, usually late June.

Trail Facts

Getting There

There's no roadside trailhead for this one — the McIntyre Lake Trail lives deep in the Rawah Wilderness and is reached on foot. Approach it either from the Rawah Trail (North), which meets its lower end at Rawah Lake #1, or from the Link Trail up above, where the junction sits about 8.7 miles from the Link trailhead. Either way you're starting from the Laramie River Road side of the wilderness, which isn't plowed and typically doesn't open until late June. See the Rawah (North) & Link trail descriptions to plan the miles in, and carry a map — #112 Trails Illustrated (Poudre River / Cameron Pass) or the free COTREX app both cover this country.

Know Before You Go

• Wilderness rules. This is the Rawah Wilderness — no bikes, no wheeled conveyances, and no motorized use of any kind; group size is capped at 12 people and stock combined.
• Creek crossings. Two unbridged crossings of McIntyre Creek (near miles 1.1 and 1.4) can be a real wade during high runoff, even when you're braced for cold water.
• Fire closure. Wood fires are prohibited above 10,800 feet in the Rawah Alpine Closure Area — plan to cook on a stove, and camp at least 200 feet from any water or trail.
• Dogs on leash. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash with hikers (voice control is allowed only with stock).
• Weed-free feed. Stock must be fed only pellets or certified weed-free hay for the whole trip — start the switch 72 hours before you ride in.
• Water & season. Water is plentiful along the way — McIntyre Lake, the creeks, and the outflow of Little Rainbow Lake — but treat it; and the trail is snowed in until Laramie River Road opens, usually late June.