Mount Audubon 13er

Join us for this day hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness!

Mount Audubon (13er) offers an iconic Colorado high-alpine experience with sweeping panoramic views of the Continental Divide. The trail climbs above the timberline into dramatic tundra terrain.

🔔 UPDATE: PARKING / GATE INFO

Winter weather note: If an early snowstorm causes the Forest Service to close the upper gates, we’ll park at the Gateway Trailhead Winter Lot instead. This adds about 6 bonus miles round trip. Hiking along a road is less than ideal, but it's that time of year.

If the upper lot is closed, it will bring the total mileage to 14 miles and 3,200 feet of elevation gain.

It will also mean a new trailhead time of 7.30 am.

✅ START HIKING: 9:00 am
TRAIL RATING: 🟡 Vigorous
HIKE STATS: 7\.8 mile round trip \| 2\,700 feet of elevation gain
HIKING TIME: 6 hours + breaks

TRAILHEAD: Mitchell Lake Trailhead (Brainard Lake)

LOCATION: GOOGLE MAP LINK
MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/Q9MSE0A

CARPOOLING (strongly encouraged):
US 36 and Sheridan Station
5025 W 88th Pl, Westminster, CO 80003
DRIVE TIME: 1 hour 30 min
START DRIVING: 7:30 AM

NOTEABLES:
Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
🐶Dogs are fine as long as they can keep up.

⚠️ BE PREPARED:
We’re a community of peers, not guides. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, gear, fitness, and ability to complete the hike independently.

Hosts are there to anchor the group by making sure everyone meets at the right place and time so we can head out together. They are not guides or responsible for keeping anyone on pace. If you can’t keep up with the group, you must be prepared to continue independently or turn back.

Need to check your gear? REI’s Hiking Checklist is a great resource.

A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."

GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join Gay Men Hike Colorado. We'd love to have them.

GROUP SIZE: Limited to 7 people to ensure a more intimate, close-knit experience for everyone.

RSVP EXPECTATIONS: If you miss 2 events without 48 hours notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.

TRAIL READY:
Trail-ready means capable, self-sufficient, physically fit for the terrain, and prepared for the conditions. Choose trips that match your current fitness and comfort with distance, elevation, and terrain. It's better to finish strong than struggle through.

TRAIL RATINGS:
🟢 Active \~ 5–7 miles, 3-4 hours, moderate elevation (1,000–2,000 ft). Uneven terrain, steady movement, possible stream crossings. You can hike continuously uphill without frequent long breaks.

🟡 Vigorous \~ 7–10 miles, 4-6 hours, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000 ft). Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings. You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending.

🔴 Endurance \~ 10+ miles, 6-8 hours, and/or significant
elevation gain (3,000 ft+). Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel. You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day.

Hiking times are approximate moving times and do not include extended breaks.