Lost Man Trail

By denver-gazette April 2, 2017 | updated 9 years ago

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Get Directions

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Things To Do

Hiking Running

This trail starts high on Independence Pass east of Aspen, traversing a high mountain pass and some pretty alpine lakes without the need for slogging through miles of low-elevation forest. The 8.8-mile trail makes an incomplete loop, a perfect long day hike for those who can leave a shuttle car at one trailhead or don’t mind hitchhiking across the cold tundra of the Rockies. Hikers can either start at the Lost Man Campground on the west side of the pass at 10,500 feet or the last switchback on the east side at the last switchback before the summit, at 11,500 feet. Both are right along Colorado Highway 82. Either way, the trail quickly enters the Hunter/Fryingpan Wilderness. The trail climbs to 12,800 feet on Lost Man Pass between Independence Lake to the south and Lost Man Lake to the north. Either way you choose, this is a great, if long, day hike that is almost entirely above timberline, through marmot country, and wildflower-strewn meadows.

Pro Tips

The route is almost entirely above timberline, with little protection from violent afternoon thunderstorms in summer, so be sure to get a very early start in July and August.

You can save yourself several hundred feet of climbing by starting at the eastern trailhead atop Independence Pass. Just keep in mind your car is four miles away along the highway, so leave a shuttle car or be prepared to spend some time hitchhiking.

The trail is in the Hunter/Fryingpan Wilderness, so only foot and horse travel is permitted and dogs must be on-leash.

Colorado Highway 82 at Independence Pass typically opens by Memorial Day and closes with the first big snowstorm in fall, but be sure to check the Colorado Department of Transportation website for current conditions.

Recommended season(s): Memorial Day – mid-fall.

–R. Scott Rappold

Tags Things To Do - Aspen

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