Coney Lake - 5.15 Miles Round-Trip

Coney Lake (10,624') is located 2.6 miles from Beaver Creek Trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The lake is named for the 'coney' - or pika - that inhabit surrounding talus slopes. Coney Lake sees lighter crowds than other Indian Peaks destinations because of its inaccessibility by standard car.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The Coney Flats 4WD Road should only be attempted by experienced drivers with cars in good condition. Standard vehicles should park at the west end of Beaver Reservoir and walk approximately 3.4 miles to the Coney Flats 4WD Parking Area. Factor this distance when planning your trip.

The following description begins at the Coney Flats 4WD terminus and trailhead:

Coney Flats is a broad, damp expanse between Mt Audubon (south) and St Vrain Mountain (north). Sawtooth Mountain's distinct summit (12,304') stands due west on the Continental Divide.

Coney Creek fans out through the flat, creating marsh-like conditions in a thick and diminutive pine - aspen forest. Meadows, ponds and streams dot the area, a busy wildlife corridor.

From the 4WD Parking Area, follow signs over the bridge to the Coney Flats Trailhead (.17 miles : 9,828') and Coney Lake - Beaver Creek Trail split (.4 miles : 9,844').

Bear left on a sometimes faint and washed-over path through the flats. The trail crosses (left) a creek (1.0 mile : 9,941') and climbs away on an old road-trail.

The road-trail is steep, rocky but easy to follow as it traces Coney Creek into a crowded spruce forest. It crosses the creek (right) on a makeshift log bridge (1.35 miles : 10,124'), narrows and edges away from both with intermittent clarity.

The vague trail bends sharply right through a meadow (1.7 miles : 10,334'), then circles to the right of and above a small pond (1.8 miles).

Here the grade steepens up the valley's north wall to an abrupt opening at the base of a steep hill (2.05 miles : 10,435'). The trail pushes through treeline to a flat; though intermittently faint, topographical clues hint at Coney Lake's general location.

Travel moderates and threads a krummholz forest (2.3 miles 10,640') to a crest overlooking a corner of the lake (2.5 miles : 10,666'). Drop (left) down a rocky path to Coney Lake (2.58 miles : 10,624').

Exploration is limited by thick willow, however one good social trail leads to Coney Lake's open SE corner where morning light, views and fishing access are quite good. Mt Audubon (13,233'), Paiute Peak (13,088') and Sawtooth Mountain (12,304') form the backdrop.

Upper Coney Lake (10,940') is located approximately one mile ahead. To reach it without disturbing delicate alpine vegetation - or getting caught in it - take a high line above and around Coney Lake's north shore to its inlet, which provides a direct route. UCL occupies a confined cirque directly beneath Mt Audubon and Paiute Peak.