Willow Lakes Trail (Gore Range)
A long climb out of Silverthorne to a chain of lakes beneath Red Peak and the jagged Zodiac Spires.
About Willow Lakes Trail
Willow Lakes sit high in the Eagles Nest Wilderness above Silverthorne, tucked beneath some of the Gore Range's most dramatic rock. Most people start at the Willowbrook Trailhead on the north side of town for a round trip of about 12 miles and roughly 2,700 feet of gain, most of it packed into the last few miles.
The route follows the Willowbrook Trail to the Gore Range Trail, then branches onto the Willow Lakes Trail. Expect a long, exposed section through old blowdown with little shade before you climb into the basin. Red Peak looms just south of the final lake, East Thorn rises to the north, and the serrated Zodiac Spires line the skyline.
It's a big day for a day hike, but the payoff is one of the most striking lake basins within easy driving distance of Denver.
A demanding hike into the Eagles Nest Wilderness from Silverthorne, climbing through aspen and pine before breaking into the open cirque holding Willow Lakes, ringed by the jagged spires locals call the Zodiac Spires. The Gore Range's ridgeline doubles cleanly in the still water on a calm morning — arrive early, since afternoon winds here pick up fast and a mirrored lake can turn to chop within the hour.
History
The Gore Range takes its name from Sir St George Gore, an Irish baronet who led a lavish multi-year hunting expedition through the American West in the 1850s. The range is built of ancient Paleoproterozoic granite, gneiss and schist, uplifted as a fault-block range and then carved by Pleistocene glaciers, which explains the sharp spires and lake-filled cirques around Willow Lakes. Much of the range, including this basin, is protected within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. The range's high point is Mount Powell at 13,566 feet.
Photographing Willow Lakes Trail
Best light: Morning gives the calmest water and the best chance at reflections of Red Peak and the spires, and it also keeps you ahead of afternoon storms. Late September adds golden willows and frosty edges around the lakes.
Shots to look for
- Red Peak reflected in the final lake on a still morning, wide angle from the north shore
- A telephoto study of the Zodiac Spires' rock towers catching side light
- Lakeshore rocks and willows as foreground with the spires behind, 16-24mm at a low angle
- Looking back east from the basin toward the Blue River valley and the Williams Fork Mountains
Photo tips
- Start the exposed blowdown section early; it has very little shade
- Willowbrook has no overnight parking; backpackers should use the Rock Creek trailhead, which adds about 6 miles
- Drones are not allowed in the Eagles Nest Wilderness
- Carry a polarizer and a light tripod; the hike is long, so pack efficiently
Know before you go
- Willowbrook Trailhead is small and busy; arrive early or use the Trent Park overflow lot
- No overnight parking at Willowbrook per local ordinance
- Fill out the free wilderness permit at the trail register
- Wait until the trail is mostly snow-free and avalanche danger has passed
Prints from Willow Lakes Trail
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Willow Lakes hike?
From the Willowbrook Trailhead it's about 12 miles round trip with roughly 2,700 feet of elevation gain.
Do you need a permit for Willow Lakes?
Yes, a free self-issued wilderness permit filled out at the trail register. Check current USFS rules.
Can you camp at Willow Lakes?
Yes, there are campsites near the lakes and at nearby Salmon Lake, but you can't park overnight at Willowbrook; use the Rock Creek trailhead instead.
Featured in: Best Alpine Lake Hikes in Colorado
Combine it with
Salmon Lake · Lake Dillon · Gore Range (general) · Frisco
More Colorado spots
Crystal Mill, Marble · Horse Ranch Park (Kebler Pass Road) · Kenosha Pass
Sources & further reading: cmc.org · foxintheforest.net · en.wikipedia.org · fs.usda.gov. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.