By Dawn Wilson

The west side of the Continental Divide sees more snow over the course of the winter than the eastern side where Estes Park is located. That means the trails in the western portion of Rocky Mountain National Park and in Arapaho National Forest near Grand Lake retain snow longer.

If you still crave a snowy hike and would like a different view, then you are in luck. Several trails around Grand Lake and Lake Granby still have several feet of snow, including Monarch Lake.

Located near the southeast end of Lake Granby, Monarch Lake is one of five reservoirs in the 35,000-acre Arapaho National Recreation Area. A four-mile trail wraps around the entire shore, including the wetlands at the east end of the lake.

The trail has limited elevation gain — only 427 feet — but rises and falls along the complete length of the loop with a few steep but short segments.

To access the trailhead, head east on U.S. Highway 34 out of Granby and turn right onto County Road 6. Follow this dirt road along the border of Lake Granby, appreciating the elevated view of the frozen lake, for almost 10 miles.

During the spring, as snow falls, melts, creates mud and refreezes on cold evenings, the road can be challenging to drive. All-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles with mud/snow rated tires are recommended to navigate to the trailhead.

The U.S. Forest Service keeps the last 0.8 miles of the road to the trailhead closed during the snowy months. During the summer, the parking lot for this popular destination can hold up to 40 cars but during this time of year, the parking area is limited to about ten cars.

Starting from the closed gate, which sits at about 8,335 feet, hike east up the gently sloping mile of road to the trailhead, where a bathroom, ranger station and information kiosks are located.

Because this is a loop trail, the route can be taken in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The clockwise direction, which this description follows, takes hikers along the more open southwest-facing path first and returns along the heavily forested northeast facing path.

Starting out on the trail, you quickly see Arapaho Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River that is the inflow and outflow for Monarch Lake, running along the right side of the trail.

At 1.85 miles, hikers reach the first signs of the wetlands at the east end of the lake. Keep an eye out for moose nibbling on the willows in this marshy region.

Follow the path between the lake and the mountain, where the trail begins to transition into a forested habitat. At 2.15 miles, hikers will arrive at the border of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Continue another 0.35 miles to reach the farthest point on the hike before the trail takes a turn to the right back to the trailhead. The Monarch Lake Trail also intersects with the Crater Lake, Cascade Creek and Arapaho Pass Trails in Indian Peaks Wilderness at this end of the lake.

The trail crosses bridges at 2.69 miles and 3.32 miles, while navigating through thick forest of lodgepole pine, Engelman spruce and other coniferous species.

Leaving the Indian Peaks Wilderness at 4.85 miles, this trail starts its turn back west.

At 4.29 miles, hikers will discover a rusting, dilapidated piece of machinery — a remnant of the lake’s use in the local logging industry.

Another half mile along the trail and the forest opens back up to reveal Thunderbolt Peak, Blackfoot Mountain and Cherokee Mountain in Indian Peaks Wilderness. Take this hike in the afternoon to stay for the sunset light hitting these peaks.

The trail reaches the information kiosks at 4.85 miles and the gate at 5.87 miles, and will take approximately three hours to complete.

Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail but be vigilant about watching for moose, which may show aggression towards dogs.

Snowshoes are still needed along the entire length of this trail.

This area requires an American the Beautiful interagency pass or by paying a daily use fee.

For more information, including trail conditions, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28566.