Big Meadows Trail

Frommer's Review

Follow an old wagon road through a subalpine forest to the ruins of a ranch on this trail. The path is wide and smooth, and, near dusk and dawn, hikers are often rewarded with sightings of deer and elk. Most of the trail follows a brook, along which wild blueberries and occasionally wild strawberries can be found. The gentle incline leads to Big Meadows, a large and open field as the name implies, where wildflowers are tucked among the grasses. Look for the unusual pink elephant heads, whose flowers resemble miniature elephant heads with upturned trunk and floppy ears; or cinquefoil, a member of the rose family used by early peoples to treat ailments such as toothaches, fevers, and infections. The remnants of Sam Stone's log cabin and barn give stark evidence of his attempt at ranching here in the early 1900s. The beginning elevation is 8,798 feet, and the elevation gain is 606 feet.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.