Wheeler Lakes

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 9, 700 ft - 11,095 ft
Elevation Gain: 1, 486 ft (cumulative)
Date Hiked:19 July 2015
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash until the Wilderness Boundary
Tags: #coloradooutdoors #nature #lake #summitcounty #coppermountain

Second Wheeler Lake near Copper Mountain Colorado

Wheeler Lakes, near the Copper Mountain Ski Resort, are two shallow lakes nestled in a large meadow surrounded by towering Spruce and Fir trees. In summer the route is damp, muddy, and filled with wall-to-wall wildflowers. Occasional views of Copper Mountain and the western side of the Ten Mile Range add an additional flair.  The route follows the Gore Range Trail until a turn off to Wheeler Lakes.

Parking at exit 196

Start of the Gore Range Trail

There are three places to park near Wheeler Lakes, each resulting in a slightly different round trip distance. The official trailhead is located at a scenic overlook (exit 196) 0.8 miles west of Copper Mountain. The advantage of this location is plenty of parking. The downside is an extra slog along the less than scenic I-70. The second option is right at exit 195 (north side). There is room along the side of the road for 10 or so cars. Finally, you can always park in one of Copper's parking lots and cross I-70 over the bridge. On this trip I scored a spot right on the exit. Measured from my parking spot, the turn off to Wheeler Lakes was at 2.6 miles.

Sagebrush hillside filled with wildflowers

Looking down on the Copper Mountain ski resort

The first 0.5 miles of the route follows I-70 along a Sagebrush hillside dotted with drier climate wildflowers. Once the trail reaches the wilderness boundary at 1 mile, the trail becomes more shaded and damp. Rivulets may run down the trail until late in the season creating tiny bogs. Good water proof shoes will entice you to trod through the mud and not expand the trail to avoid it.

Heading away from the highway and into the trees

Lupine grace the forest floor

At 2.0 miles, the trail skirts the edge of a very large meadow. The ridge leading to Uneva Pass is visible in the distance. Hang out until September and you might glimpse Elk congregating for the annual rut. At 2.5 miles is a shelf with expansive views of the western side of the Ten Mile Range including the craggy peaks of Mayflower Gulch, one of the best destinations in the area.

Large meadow

View of the west side of the Ten Mile Range

Shortly past the plateau is the well marked turn off to Wheeler Lakes. The first lake, at 11,085 ft, will come into view almost immediately. It is surrounded by verdant marsh grasses and towering Fir trees. On this trip the water was still as glass and the only sound was the continuous chirping of forest birds. Due to the marshy ground, there are only a few place that you can approach the water and it may be best to continue on to the second lake, at 11,065 ft, which is 0.4 miles further on and off to the left.

Trail sign for the Wheeler Lakes turn off

First Wheeler Lake

A small, drier hillside dotted with Pine and carpeted with wildflowers borders the second lake on is northern side. You can explore the lake from either the southern or northern sides, but a large marsh to the west prevents a total circumnavigation.

Rosy pink paintbrush

View of Uneva Pass

Instead, climb the hillside (11,095 ft) and wander a short distance for unexpected views of Uneva Pass and Officers Gulch/I-70. On this trip, wildflowers graced every inch of the area. There are numerous rocky outcropping suitable for a private lunch.

Wildflower collage

Wheeler Lakes is one of the wetter destinations in the area even in the heat of summer. Despite this, parking along the exit can get crowded particularly at the peak of wildflower season. Continue 1.8miles further on the Gore Range Trail to Lost Lake for a longer hike.

Once last glimpse of the first lake

Fall in the Rockies

2013 is an unprecedented year for reds

Fall has finally arrived in Summit County. Now is the time to get out and wallow in the cooler temps, blazing blue skies and red-toned Aspens.

The Lilly Pad Lake Trail (Frisco Side) is a great Aspen walk. Another great trail to try near Silverthorne is the Ptarmigan Trail.

Rainbow Lake Snowshoe

Distance: 3.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 9, 160 ft
Elevation Gain: nominal
Dogs: On leash on the bike path, off leash thereafter

Rainbow Lake on less than stellar day

Rainbow Lake near Frisco Colorado is pleasant winter jaunt to a frozen lake. The trail starts out at the parking area for the Frisco bike path, which consists of the first part of the route.

Leaving the parking lot and heading to the bike path

Walking along the snow-filled bike path

One house had filled its back yard with interesting cairns

Along the bike path you pass nice homes, some with unique decorations. At 0.41 miles is the trailhead for Mt. Royal and Masontown. At 0.75 miles is a large parking area with a sign for Zach's Stop. Turn in here and look for the brown Rainbow Lakes trail sign.

Standing in the Zach's Stop parking area. Note the brown trail sign.

A typical trail segment in the Aspens

Coming into Rainbow Lake

From this point, the trail wanders through willows and Aspens until it reaches the lake after a short rise.

Twisted roots in the snow

Heading back out

Passing a small stream with ice

On this trip, the weather was brutal with high winds, blowing snow, and overcast skies. Our motivation was to get the dogs out and anything above treeline on such a day would have been most unpleasant. I need to return and try this trail again on a nicer day.

Heading back through the willows

Eccles Pass

Distance: 10.4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,150 to 11,917 ft
Elevation gain: 2,760 ft (net), 2,920 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash until the Wilderness boundary
Date Hiked: 25 August 2007

Looking at Red Buffalo Pass from Eccles Pass near Frisco Colorado. 

The trail to Eccles Pass near Frisco,  Colorado is a grueling climb to one of the most spectacular passes in the Gore Range. Mostly in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, the trail is wild and rocky with little improvements. The majority of the route is through a dense forest with only the final approach to the pass being open and airy.  The destination is worth the suffering, however. The views from Eccles Pass are mythical in scope.

The Meadow Creek Trailhead

A typical rocky trail segment. This shot is close to the trailhead where Aspens dominate. 

The trail starts at the Meadow Creek Trailhead, located at the first Frisco Exit (coming from Silverthorne). This trailhead also serves Lilly Pad Lake, which splits off at 0.56 miles.  For the next 3.0 miles, the route is rather monotonous. Trees block out the sun, and rocks cover the trail. 0.6 miles further on is a the second of three meadows. This one is the first to provide any views of the surrounding peaks and is a welcome break to the relentless climbing.

Junction with the Lilly Pad Lake Trail. Meadow Creek stays left. 

The first of several meadows that provide a welcome break to the dark forest. 

The junction with the Gore Range Trail occurs at 4.45 miles (2,272 ft elevation gain) in the middle of a large meadow. It is here that the first views of the pass appear. Having already completed most of the distance and elevation gain by this point, the pass looked trivial to ascend.  Like most vistas in Colorado, however, looks can be deceiving, and last bit was steeper than expected.

Eccles Pass comes into view. 

The trails through the meadows are less rocky. That is Chief Mountain in the distance. 

The view from the pass looks down upon an idyllic bowl with Red Mountain Pass forming the western wall, Buffalo Mountain the eastern wall, and the Willow Creek drainage cutting through it. Small tarns dot the valley, which on this trip was verdant under late summer skies. With no thunderstorms in sight, we were able to lounge on the pass and wallow in the sunshine. For the uber energetic, it is only another 1.5 miles across to Red Buffalo Pass.

Final approach to the pass. This last segment was harder than it looked. 

Looking down the South Willow drainage on the eastern side of the bowl. 

While other passes are easier to get to,  Eccles Pass has the advantage of being close to civilization yet free of the teaming hordes. Not only will you experience superlative views, you will be able to eat anything you want by the time you return! Just bring along a chatty friend so you don't die of ennui on the long slog through the forest.