Trail Run Project Logo

A straight forward trail to a high mountain lake makes for an easy day run or quick overnight backpacking trip.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

11.2

Miles

18.1

KM

75%

Runnable

12,302' 3,750 m

High

9,288' 2,831 m

Low

3,016' 919 m

Up

3,016' 919 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

A great option for a longer run, or if you're quick on your feet, a nice morning or evening out. Enjoy the stunning views and joyous sounds of the creek before you head back the way you came. This also makes a great overnight backpacking option and is pretty nice during wildflower season!

Runner Notes

Excellent trail running. Below tree line the trail is relatively steep but without obstacles; once above the trail becomes more gradual with easy to expect rocky obstacles. Fast Trail runners should expect about 2-2.5 hrs round trip.

Description

From the parking area turn left to cross a well-made bridge over Lake Creek. Begin a steady incline until reaching a fork in the trail at the Upper Twin Lake Trail at about 0.4 miles. Stay right and begin steadily climbing over the next half mile. Along the way, enjoy great views of Twin Lakes to the Northeast. After climbing about 400 feet, the trail flattens out through a dense, sweet smelling ponderosa forest. Cross a wooden bridge before immediately turning right to join with the Continental Divide Trail. Climb steadily before reaching another fork in the trail at 1.6 miles. Keep right on the Big Willis Gulch Trail. Continue to ascend the steepest section of the trail. Before reaching the end of the crux of the route, cross two streams on primitive log bridges.

At 2.8 miles, stop to fill water and enjoy the views of a pristine meadow along the creek. Run onto a rocky outcropping for 0.2 miles before continuing on a slight incline in and out of the treeline, enjoying two ruined log cabins on the right of the trail. After a few miles on relatively flat ground, pass a small mountain lake to the south before coming around the corner to get the first glimpse of Willis Lake. Pristine waters hold Cutthroat Trout for excellent fishing while the mountain bowl offers views of Rinker Peak, Mount Hope, and Mount Blaurock.

Flora & Fauna

Coniferous forest offers sweet smells and dense canopy. Wildflowers and aspen groves run through the area. Pika and marmots can be spotted at the lake as well as excellent fishing at Willis Lake.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matthew Trinkle

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 4 votes

#9

in Twin Lakes

#5225

Overall
  3.0 from 4 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
25%
1 Star
25%
Recommended Route Rankings

#9

in Twin Lakes

#709

in Colorado

#5,225

Overall
8 Views Last Month
5,989 Since Aug 4, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
33%
33%
0%

Photos

Hope Pass as seen from near Leadville
Apr 27, 2024 near Leadvil…, CO
Beautiful fall day
Apr 28, 2018 near Leadvil…, CO
Storm Clouds move in on a rock bar on Big Willis Gulch Trail
Aug 4, 2017 near Leadvil…, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 29, 2019
Graeme Dunn
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.