Directions:

From Granby, head north on US 40 and turn right onto US 34 towards Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. Enter the Arapaho National Recreation Area and just when you reach Lake Granby, turn right onto Monarch Lake Road. Follow Monarch Lake Road for 7.5 miles to the Strawberry Lake Trailhead.

Hike Description:

The Arapaho National Recreation Area, not part of the National Park System by the way, is a beautiful protected area run by the U.S. Forest Service adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park.  It encompasses Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake, and portions of the Front Range surrounding them.  Strawberry Lake is a great hike entirely located within the NRA.  

Strawberry Lake sits on a bench halfway between Lake Granby and the 10,000+ ft unnammed peaks south of the lake.  The trail is relatively short at less than 2 miles, one way, and moderately steep, you gain about 900 ft. The hike takes effort but shouldn’t destroy your quads. Almost all the elevation gain happens in the fist mile and a half, through shady pine forest.  There are limited views on this portion of the hike, but a pleasant creek keeps you company for the second half of the climb.  

When you reach the apex of the hike, you’ll arrive at an expansive alpine meadow with views of the Indian Peaks towering in the distance.  The hike re-enters the forest but there are plenty of meadow views and the mountains get closer and closer.  When you arrive at Strawberry Lake, you’ll find a built up path leading you to a metal boardwalk and a viewpoint.  The lake is surrounded by wetlands so this is pretty much your only spot to take in the lake views.  The lake is lovely, the mountains provide a good backdrop, but laying out on the rocks is not really possible here.  Take it all in, and head back along the same route. 

Strawberry Lake is a worthy hike, not the most iconic hike in an area full of iconic hikes, but very pleasant and very quiet.  I don’t think I saw a single other person on this hike, which is not easy to say in this highly visited part of the Front Range.