Route: Arapaho Peaks Traverse (CO)

Submitted by erinton on Sun, 08/24/2025 - 03:38pm
Location
Colorado, US
Distance
10 mi
Vertical Gain
3,800 ft
Description

Anyone who spends time in the Indian Peaks Wilderness must do the South Arapaho to North Arapaho traverse. It is considered one of the 50 classic Colorado scrambles. The run up to South Arapaho is well-trafficked, with the final pitch being a brief, class-2 scramble. Then, the short traverse goes at class 3. It is nothing overly technical or exposed, with one slab move and a gully climb. The route starts and ends at the 4th of July trailhead. Though it is very tempting to cut the switchbacks, runners must stay on trail for the FKT to be considered. There is an existing Strava segment, so any FKT claims must beat the existing times. 

The route is trailhead to trailhead starting and ending at the 4th of July trailhead