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BPX 4-Day: Pawnee-Buchanan Loop from Long Lake TH

Trip

BPX Trip – BPX 4-Day: Pawnee-Buchanan Loop from Long Lake TH

This trip is for BPX Members only. The Pawnee-Buchanan Loop is a classic Colorado backpacking trip through the heart of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. It is a difficult 34 mile loop that includes two mountain passes, wildflowers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, wildlife, and incredible mountain views. This route passes through many popular areas in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, including Crater Lake, Lake Isabelle, Red Deer Lake, and Gourd Lake, so make sure you have the correct permits and camp only at designated sites around Crater Lake.

Contacts

Dave Molyneaux
Dave Molyneaux
Primary Leader
  • Fri, Aug 22, 2025 — Mon, Aug 25, 2025
  • Backpacking Section
  • Backpacking
  • Adults
  • Difficult
  • Difficult
  • Mileage: 34.4 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 9,098 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 12,547 ft
  • Pace: 1.8 mph - 2.5 mph, slower when it's steep faster when it's not

Details will be discussed/worked out with participants closer to the trip date but expect an early departure. It’s common for my carpools to meet sometime in the 5 am hour.

Leader's permission is required before registering. Please be prepared to discuss backpacking trips (with mileage/elevation gain) that you've completed in the last 3 years, your expected pack weight, your opinion on the Oxford comma, and more.

Dave Molyneaux, dave.molyneaux@gmail.com

Cost of permits (yes, I already have them) to be split among all participants including leader ($83 total for Backcountry permit + multi-day parking permit)

You will need to bring the 10 essentials for backpacking, plenty of water to start with, 4 days worth of food, gear to protect your food from animals and the knowledge to use it (i.e. ursack or bag hang or canister).

The route will be the same as the official Route & Place. More details regarding this trip will be emailed to registrants 1-2 weeks before the trip date. Contact me with any questions before then.

Route/Place

BPX 4-Day: Pawnee-Buchanan Loop from Long Lake TH


  • Trails Illustrated 102
    Outdoor Trail Maps Colorado Indian Peaks/James Peak Wilderness Map
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

10 essentials for backpacking

$20 annual BPX Membership Dues are required to participate. Please contact the office at 303-279-3080 ext. 3 or office@cmc.org to join the pack!

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