Baker Gulch to Bowen Lake

From the start at Bowen/Baker Trailhead, be ready for lots of uphill. The trail up to Parika Lake is a steady but not overly steep incline for the first 6 miles. The Baker Gulch Trail is mostly shaded although you'll pass through a couple open areas and meadows that are filled with wildflowers in season. Along this section, there are several small stream crossings (all with bridges), and you'll be following along the main creek flowing from Parika Lake as you climb up Baker Gulch. Once you reach Parika Lake, continue up the basin and over the pass. The trail up and over the pass above Parika Lake is long and takes some good effort. Take some time to enjoy the views of Parika Peak, Baker Gulch, and Parika Lake as you climb. Once over the first pass, you'll descend on the other side of the mountain before climbing back up and over the Continental Divide. This section, until you reach Bowen Pass, is exposed so keep an eye on the clouds if you are hiking later in the day. The trail skirts above the treeline, and in season, the wildflowers along this stretch are outstanding. You'll pass two trail junctions, one unmarked and one marked (Ruby Mountain Trail/CDT). Keep left at both of these junctions. The climbing continues up Bowen Pass. This climb is shorter, but just as strenuous with several steep switchbacks bringing you to a junction with the Bowen Gulch Trail and the Blue Ridge Trail. From here, you can see Bowen Mountain to your left and Ruby Lake and Ruby Mountain to your right. Continue on the Bowen Pass Trail, and from there it is downhill until you get to the Bowen Lake Trail. The Bowen Lake Trail branches off to the southwest. This trail is a steady uphill climb for about a mile to get to Bowen Lake. The trail is a bit more narrow with some sections of short, steep climbing. Bowen Lake offers several spots for backcountry camping if you are doing the loop as an overnight. From Bowen Lake, the hike back to the trailhead is almost all downhill. The Bowen Gulch Trail/CDT is a wide and well-maintained trail with few small creek crossings. Once the trail turns back to the north, you'll have an easy two-mile hike back to the trailhead. This loop was done counter-clockwise. This trip was done in two days with an overnight at Bowen Lake, but it was a long, grueling hike from the trailhead to Bowen Lake.