Monarch Lake Trailhead — Attraction in Granby

Everything you need to know:

Route: This is a straight shot driving the road parallel to Lake Granby and passing the lake until you reach Monarch Lake. You likely won't have service, download the Google offline map for the area before travel here and really anywhere in the area. Also, you cross at least 4 sections of dams that are dirt topped and without barriers. There's plenty of room for two lanes but with larger vehicles it can be a little intimidating, keep this in mind.

Parking is somewhat limited, go early or go late - we showed up at 5pm on a Thursday and had plenty of parking at our disposal.

Bug spray, bug spray, bug spray!! The mosquitoes are plentiful and the clouds of gnats are INSANE. You will run into one every few feet in warmer months like our visit in June.

Restrooms are available and clean! Maps and information are also at the trail head.

MOOSE!! They are apparently always around. We saw 3 during our time there, one a baby, and they were right on the trail directly straight past the trailhead.

Plenty of other wildlife like squirrels, chipmumks and birds - the paths are mostly flat and easy...

A great loop about 35 minutes out of Grand Lake. The trail has several areas that can become impassable if trees come down because of fairly steep hills on one side and the lake to the other. While we were there massive numbers of trees had been blown down, but the ever vigilant park service team had cleared the truly impassable areas. At the back half of the loop the trail was completely lost as there were literally maybe a hundred trees down. Being the scramble lovers we are we found a path over, along, under, and through the trees eventually making it back to the path as we got to the other side of the lake. If not for the blowdowns, this would have been a easy hike by Colorado standards or an easy to moderate for people not acclimated to the altitude or not used to rocky hiking. Definitely doable for small kids and dogs that have the endurance for...

First time hiking in Colorado. Monarch Lake Trailhead has a pretty high elevation of 8400'. For a Midwesterner, it's pretty high. Expect to breathe a bit harder if you're not used to altitudes.

Stunningly beautiful area. Mountains, lakes, wildlife..what more can you ask for? Go early. It gets really busy after 10am.

Trails are well-marked. Lots of up and down, roots, stones. My friend loaned me hiking sticks (like ski poles) and it made a huge difference. There are many hikers here, including kids, dogs, so be prepared to share the path.

Bring water. It's easy to dehydrate. We hiked 7 miles. Just astonishingly beautiful, peaceful and satisfying.

Clean restrooms but only available at start of...