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I.Loch Lomond Trailhead (11,215’)

Loch Lomond’s access road has a mellow grade offset by thousands of suspension-shaking rocks. SUVs and tough SUCs can make the trailhead without too much trouble; strong tires will boost your confidence. From the loch, enjoyable rolling slopes pass by several lovely lakes before topping off at 13,250-foot Mount Bancroft. James Peak and Parry Peak are also good options from this area.

PEAKS

• Mount Bancroft: 13,250’

• James Peak: 13,294’

• Parry Peak: 13,391’

• Mount Eva: 13,130’

• Kingston Peak: 12,147’

Wilderness Area and Range

James Peak Wilderness, Front Range

Trailhead Distance from I-70

11.6 miles

Driving Directions

From either eastbound or westbound I-70, take Exit 238 toward Fall River Road. Follow the paved, twisting Fall River Road a little over 7.5 miles and take a left onto Alice Road (initially paved). Drive up a steep hill just after the road turns to dirt, passing through the homes in the tiny town of Alice. Around mile 8.2, bear right onto Steuart Road and follow it 3.4 miles to the large parking area. This four-wheel drive isn’t steep, but it is littered with rocks, some the size of volleyballs, all the way up—it’s a bouncy ride. Stay on the main road. The parking area at the loch is large, and there are true four-wheel-drive roads that split west and east from here. Park here unless you have a modified four-wheel drive ready to roll.

Vehicle Recommendations

SUVs and tough, higher-clearance SUCs (Honda CR-Vs and Elements, Toyota RAV4s) can make it up this road. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks will be a test of strong tires and sturdy suspension, but there are never any technical rock outcrops nor is it steep—just bumpy.

Fees/Camping

There are no fees to park, hike, or camp. Camping is allowed in Arapaho National Forest, and there are a few primitive sites at the trailhead, but no restrooms. Please use leave-no-trace guidelines when camping.

Dog Regulations

Dogs are allowed on leash in the James Peak Wilderness.

Summary

Author’s note: I made an exception to the “10-mile max distance” rule for this trailhead because I find it to be a fantastic hiking area, and it also provides a solid route to James Peak that avoids the private, paid parking used to access the St. Mary’s Glacier area.

Loch Lomond is the sister area to Fall River Reservoir, though it’s a little grittier and sees slightly more traffic. Loch Lomond isn’t without charm however, thanks to the waterfalls that roll over the headwall into the lake. The backdrop of Mount Bancroft’s popular Class 5 east ridge to the immediate north is quite impressive as well. The Class 2 route up to Mount Bancroft really shines once it departs a four-wheel-drive road past the parking lot and rises up above a collection of beautiful lakes. The off-trail terrain is easy to navigate, and Bancroft’s summit, while well earned, is less taxing than other trail-free peaks. The walk over to Parry Peak is 0.8 mile and worth every step (Parry is the high point of the James Peak Wilderness).

The other primary route from Loch Lomond is a loop of James Peak and Mount Bancroft. This is an alternate to James Peak’s standard route via St. Mary’s Glacier and avoids the private, paid parking area at the previously free St. Mary’s Glacier access off the paved Fall River Road.

Primary Routes

1. South Slopes of Mount Bancroft (13,250’) to Parry Peak (13,391’)

Round-Trip Distance	5.3 miles
Class	2
Difficulty	4/10
Hiking Time	5–6 hours
Total Elevation Gain	2,760’
Terrain	Hike a brief four-wheel-drive road to open, rolling terrain with excellent footing and modest grades. There are no official trails after the four-wheel-drive road ends, but navigation is straightforward.
Best Time to Climb	June–September

Overview

For those who love pure hiking, it’s tough to beat this route for sheer scenery, welcoming terrain, and the chance to grab two lesser-visited thirteeners. It’s also an excellent dog adventure. It’s not a huge stretch to tack on Mount Eva (0.8 mile from Parry Peak) as an out-and-back. Hikers are somewhat rare here—most of the visitors to this area are four-wheel-drive enthusiasts who come to enjoy the fishing and knock back a few cold ones.

Ridge walking between Mount Bancroft and Parry Peak

Mile/Route

0.0 From the parking area, head south (away from Loch Lomond) and hike along the steep four-wheel-drive road. This initial push is a good warm-up and won’t last long.

0.3 The four-wheel-drive road will switchback west and head up toward Bancroft’s broad south slopes. Stay on it for now.

0.6 It’s possible to gain the ridge here if you stick to the four-wheel-drive road up to a saddle, though the rocky part of the lower ridge is somewhat annoying to walk. Leave the four-wheel-drive road before ascending to the saddle, opting for the better route in the basin. There are faint trails in the basin, along with a trail north to Lake Caroline (a side trip of about 0.2 mile each way from the basin). Navigation will be easy despite no formal trail, as the south slopes will be on your left.

1.2 After walking northwest in the open basin, you’ll approach the easiest slope to gain the south ridge at around 12,120 feet. It’s about 400 vertical feet to get on the “ridge” (more of a rounded slope) that leads to Bancroft’s summit.

1.4 Gain the ridge and carry on northwest to the top.

1.9 The summit! Depending on how much wandering you did in the basin, you will top out on Bancroft between 1.8 and 2.0 miles. Turn around now for a quick half-day outing (sometimes that’s all we have time for). To continue to Parry, it’s 0.8 mile along an easy ridge connecting the two.

2.7 After dipping down to 12,980 feet in the Bancroft–Parry saddle, a spirited push brings you to Parry’s summit. All told at this point, 2,400 feet of elevation gain has occurred. You’ll tack on another 300 on the return up and over Bancroft. Or continue to Eva, 0.8 mile from Parry. Going to Eva as an out-and-back is 7.1 miles with a burly 3,500+ feet of total elevation gain.

5.3 Return the way you came, over Bancroft. It can save a little time if you stay on the south slope ridgeline on the descent, connecting with the four-wheel-drive road in the low saddle at 11,900 feet. Finish mileage may vary depending on the off-trail path you choose, but expect between 5.3 and 5.5 miles round-trip.

2. James Peak (13,294’)–Mount Bancroft (13,250’) Loop

Round-Trip Distance	5.6 miles
Class	2
Difficulty	6/10
Hiking Time	5–7 hours
Total Elevation Gain	3,000’
Terrain	Well-traveled trails up to James Peak, then ridge walk over to Mount Bancroft and east, off-trail slopes to finish the loop.
Best Time to Climb	June–September

Overview

Getting up to James Peak is straightforward—there is a trail directly from Loch Lomond all the way up. Despite the low mileage, this is a tough day due to the elevation gain. If you’re up for more though, you can add on Kingston Peak (likely before summiting James) though James–Bancroft is more than enough for most people. Even an out-and-back up James Peak alone is a fine day.

The tastefully named James Peak is a tribute to Edwin James, a botanist from Vermont who climbed in Colorado in the mid-1800s. Besides claiming the first (white man) summit of James Peak, he also was the first (white man) to climb Pike’s Peak (which was known as James Peak for a time).

Mile/Route

0.0 Follow the dam path along the southeast shore of Loch Lomond. A hiking trail will appear at the end of the wide path, heading north and then west up James Peak’s east slopes. The trail gets more pronounced the higher it goes.

A quick dip in Lake Caroline with the famous rappel notch on Mount Bancroft’s East Ridge Route in the background

1.2 At this point, you’ll be on the flats preceding the climb up to James at 12,200 feet. If you want to add in Kingston Peak, now’s the time to do it. It’s 1.2 miles to Kingston, but the way there is virtually flat. Toward the end, there are 235 feet of elevation gain. It adds 2.4 miles to the day if you choose this option. If not (which is the normal thing to do), carry on along the trail to James Peak.

1.5 The standard route up James Peak merges with the Loch Lomond route and continues to the top.

2.4 The summit of James Peak. Head south along the James–Bancroft ridge, hitting the saddle (12,480’) at mile 3.1. There are no trails, but the traverse is straightforward. If the ridge feels exposed, the slopes on the east side are less steep.

3.7 The summit of Bancroft. To complete the loop, follow Bancroft’s south slopes into the Lake Caroline Basin, then onward along the four-wheel-drive road to Loch Lomond.

5.6 Finish

Notes

Adding in Parry Peak adds 1.6 miles to the day but is a nice option if you’re still feeling strong when you reach Bancroft. Make certain you don’t accidentally wander onto Bancroft’s Class 5 east ridge on the descent.