ヒンズデール郡の湖・トップ7

A quiet alpine lake tucked above 12,000 feet, surrounded by rugged peaks and meadows that burst with wildflowers in summer. The approach is steep, but the reward is a calm shoreline where you can pause, catch your breath, and take in the reflections on the water. At this altitude the air is thin and the effort is real, making it a memorable turnaround point or a brief stop on a longer mountain run.

At this junction, you can decide to follow the Cataract Gulch Trail for some yards to get to Cataract Lake, stay at this smaller lake right in front of you or continue your hike along the Colorado Trail/CDT. The shore at the small lake offers room for 5+ tents, Cataract Lake has plenty of room for more camping. Moreover, there are big trout in Cataract Lake if you are into fishing.

This junction marks Cataract Lake Trail and the smaller lake on the southwest, which offers numerous open, dispersed camping areas and fantastic views. To access the main Cataract Lake, take the side trail off the Colorado Trail/CDT for a short .3 miles north.

Lake San Cristobal is a freshwater lake that sits at just over 9,000 feet in elevation. The lake is well-kept and stocked with Rainbow Trout. It's a beautiful spot for fishing, boating, paddleboarding, and camping.

Sloan Lake is nestled into a small basin and accessible via a short side trail. There are some nice flat spots if you want to spend the night in this alpine paradise. The lake with its crystal-clear water is home to cutthroat trouts.

Lake San Cristobal is a freshwater lake that sits at just over 9,000 feet in elevation. The lake is well-kept and stocked with Rainbow Trout. It's a beautiful spot for fishing, boating, paddleboarding, and camping.

There are a handful of alpine lakes around the trail as you crest the ridge and intersect with the Continental Divide Trail. Most of the peaks around you remain unnamed, but you can see Chief Mountain to the northwest and Knife Edge is visible once you hike around the peak to your east.

The trail is a nontechnical singletrack which climbs steadily all the way up to the CDT. The trail is beautiful and very remote — it is not uncommon to see bear, elk and moose. Definitely bring bear spray in your belt or pack and running with bells is not a bad idea. Just as you start to break out of treeline at the top you will be presented with a fork; both directions lead to similar spots on the CDT, but the right fork takes you to Williams Lake and the left trail takes you to a couple smaller lakes.