A Guide to Backpacking Willow Lakes in Colorado’s Gore Range
This is one incredible backpacking destination in Colorado! Tucked deep into the Gore Range, Willow Lakes is a stunning alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks, and if you get lucky, lots and lots of mountain goats.
I had seen photos of sunrise at Willow Lakes, with the spires all lit up, and I had to see it for myself. I convinced my wife and a buddy to join over Labor Day Weekend, and our threesome headed out on an overnight backpacking trip. What transpired was a blast of a trek into one of Colorado’s most gorgeous areas.
Inside, you’ll get a full guide to this overnighter, what you need to know for hiking and backpacking, and plenty of photos to hopefully inspire your next adventure.
Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Willow Lakes in the Gore Range
Quick Trail Details for Willow Lakes
- Trail Distance: 12 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trailhead Location: Willowbrook Trailhead in Silverthorne
- Distance from Denver: 95 minutes
- Are drones allowed? No drones in the Eagles Nest Wilderness
Two-Day Trip Report: Backpacking to Willow Lakes in Colorado
A Walk to the Trailhead
After parking in town at the Transit Center and hopping on the bus, we were eventually let off at the Willowbrook bus stop. From here, we took the mile-long walk through the neighborhood to the actual start of the trail. I think we gained 250-300 feet on the way.
It’s definitely not ideal to have to walk a mile to the trailhead, but here we were.
On the Trail to Willow Lakes
The first 1.25 miles of the trail are quite nice and give you a nice opportunity to enjoy walking through the forest and along the creek. One thing to note: pay attention to which trail you’re on. The trail to Willow Lakes has a couple of turns you don’t want to miss.
This first part, to the Gore Trail junction, gains 700 feet. It’s mostly gradual, though some parts get steep.
This is a good place to fill up as there’s no water for the remainder of the first climb. While it wasn’t as hot as our Zirkel Circle trek, it still felt warm in the sun.
The next 2.7 miles and 1,500 feet of gain aren’t hard by any means, but they’re quite tiring. The trail is a long, rocky ramp-style incline to 11,100 feet. From here, you’ve done most of the trail uphill. Woo!
This part has little shade, so wear plenty of sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses. I’d say the hardest part is just the altitude. Even living in Denver, hiking at 11,000 feet still gets you winded, no matter how good of shape you’re in.
Reaching the Lakes
Following the boring uphill, the hike takes a big turn for the better. For the next two miles, the trail narrows along the side of the mountain, the landscape turns greener, and the views of the Gore Range become more distinct. This is where the hike gets good!
The trail either declines slightly or stays flat for the next mile. From there, it very gradually increases as you pass lakes and ponds on both sides of the trail. Even in the drought, it was very lush back here and so picturesque.
A quick downhill over the final .25 miles brings you to Willow Lakes!
We passed a few groups and wanted to find a place to set up camp without losing our position. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any spots 100 feet from water. I eventually found a good, secluded camping spot 70 feet up the slope. Yes, I was exhausted on this final uphill, but rules are rules. (Not that the people behind us cared as they set up camp way too close.)
Even though we didn’t have lake views from our campsite, we had mountain views and peace and quiet. It was perfect for us!
Sunset at the lake
Around 5:30pm, we came down to the lake with our Jetboil, dehydrated meals, whisky, and snacks. For the next 2.5 hours, we hung out, enjoyed each other’s company, ate dinner, and took photos.
Sunset was pretty dang nice at the lake. I spent a little time high above the lake, looking for unique perspectives.
That evening, we watched the stars come out at our campsite and enjoyed far-off lightning from a storm further south.
Sunrise in the mountains
At 6:05 am, my Garmin watch buzzed. I was both asleep and awake – as backcountry sleeping usually goes. I didn’t want to get up, but I knew sunrise on the peaks would be glorious! I pulled on my pants and warm North Face puffer, crawled over Jaimie (our campsite was small, so my door was blocked by the other tent), and got ready to head down to the lake.
Camera in hand, I felt alive. My buddy and I ventured down to the same area where we had dinner and set up shop to watch the morning show. First, the clouds to the east (opposite side of the jagged peaks) lit up and created the most magnificent colors in the sky.
This lasted for 5-10 minutes and culminated in a mountain goat walking directly behind me and posing on the edge of the water: 10/10, no notes.
After the incredible mountain goat moment, the peaks started to catch the sun’s light, turning a lovely orange hue. It was spectacular. By now, Jaimie had joined us, and we all watched the light slowly creep down the rock face.
It was better than advertised! Every peak surrounding the lake was glowing, and I was on cloud nine.
Heading back down
Once the euphoria had died down, we went back to the campsite to enjoy coffee and breakfast. For whatever reason, the goats who had been lakeside decided to come check us out. At most, we had 12 goats, including kids, running around us. Simply remarkable!
With full bellies and camp packed up, we began our trek down at 11:30am. We took our time in the upper portion, enjoying the lakes and pretty views. But once we hit the big downhill, we locked in and went as fast as possible. The warm, sunny day and tired feet had us all longing for the end.
Right around 3:15, we hit the trailhead. I had called a Lyft on the way down, so we only had to wait about eight minutes for him to pick us up and drop us back at the parking garage. The $15 was well spent to save us another mile and waiting for the bus.
Important Parking Information Before You Go Backpacking at Willow Lakes
This was the hardest piece of the puzzle to figure out. Due to local restrictions in the Willowbrook neighborhood, they restrict overnight parking at the trailhead.
Because of that, you have to jump over a few more hurdles before doing this as a backpacking trip. I’ll tell you, guys, what we did, and then say what we probably should have done.
First, where did we park? We parked at the Silverthorne Transit Center Parking Lot. They allow overnight parking, and it wasn’t crowded. Then we hopped on the Silverthorne Loop Bus (free), which wound its way through town and eventually dropped us off at the Willowbrook Bus Stop.
From there, we walked the one mile and 250 feet of gain up the road to the trailhead.
On the way down, we opted to get a Lyft to save us the mile walk and the likely wait at the bus stop.
Now, what should we have done?
I think it would have been smart to get an Uber/Lyft from the parking garage and go up to the trailhead. Then, depending on how you feel, you can decide whether to walk another mile and take the bus or call another driver to get you back.
One tip: get your ride about 5-10 minutes before you reach the trailhead. Our driver came from Frisco, and it took a while.
Everything to know about hiking and backpacking to Willow Lakes
So, now that we got the most important part out of the way, let’s chat about what else you need to know for hiking and backpacking to Willow Lakes in the Gore Range.
Camp 100 feet from water
This is the big one, and plenty of people seem to disregard it. One couple was mere feet from the water’s edge, and another two tents were on the far side, about 15 feet away. That’s not cool. And if a ranger were on site, they would have 100% been cited and fined for that.
There’s a reason they make these tent distance rules:
- Keep the water clean from your food and trash.
- Keeps your pee/poop far away from everyone’s water sources.
- Ruins the view for everyone else.
- Protects the shoreline vegetation and decreases erosion.
- Allows wildlife and others to move freely along the shore.
There aren’t that many good campsites
There’s a reason people break the rules: there just aren’t that many good campsites near Upper Willow Lake. And after a long, hard hike, people don’t want to spend more effort hiking around to find a place. Unfortunately, that’s what you need to do.
We found a nice, secluded spot on the southern slopes with no one else around. It had sweet mountain views and, on our final morning, a dozen mountain goats playing chase. Talk about perfection.
Lake water is relatively stagnant
You definitely need to filter this water. With how many people stay at the lake, plus all the mountain goats, the lake water likely has something in it that isn’t great. We had no issues with it, but if you want slightly cleaner water, go to the mouth of the lake and let the water flow out. I think it’ll taste a smidge better than what we scooped up near the shore.
The middle section sucks
From mile 1.5 to 4ish, it’s a long, slow grind uphill. The views disappear, the forest gets sparser (so not great shade), and you’re not hiking near water anymore. This is where a lot of the elevation gain happens, and you just have to get through it.
And once you do, the terrain completely shifts, and you’re in for a treat!
Let’s talk water sources
The last good place to filter water on your way up is the 1.3-ish mile mark. This is the trail junction with the Gore Trail. After that, you won’t have any solid water sources (at least later in the season) for a while.
The boulder section did have water running underneath it and some small trickles on the far side (as you are walking towards the lake), but in early September, there wasn’t much to write home about.
The map shows you cross a couple of streams once you pass the Salmon Lake junction, but I didn’t notice much flow. (Again, this is in September during a drought.)
I would recommend filling up 1.5L at the Gore Trail junction to be safe.
Small trailhead parking lot
The Willowbrook trailhead is pretty small – maybe 12 cars max – which means that you need to get here early or time it right so you’re arriving when people are wrapping up their hike. This trailhead serves two main hikes: Willow Creek Falls and Willow Lakes Trail.
Willow Creek is about a 7-mile trail, so hikers finish sooner than the 12-mile trek to the lake.
There is a lower lot, but this adds two miles round trip to your hike. If that’s okay, then you can show up whenever to start your day in the mountains.
Distances from nearby areas
From Denver, this is a pretty easy drive, maybe 95 minutes if traffic isn’t heavy. From Breckenridge, expect about a 30-minute drive. And from Vail, it’s a 40-minute drive. So all in all, pretty easy to get to.
Photos from backpacking Willow Lakes inside the Gore Range
Enjoy these photos from one of Colorado’s best trails.
Final thoughts from my trip backpacking Willow Lakes
This is one hike where it’s the destination that counts, not the journey. Most of the Willow Lakes trail is boring and unexciting. But once you reach the final lake, woah, it’s amazing! You can see the spires from a distance, but you don’t really appreciate it until you are at the final lake and looking up at the sheer grandeur.
I hope this inspires you to either hike or backpack Willow Lakes. It’s a beautiful gem of the Gore Range, and all I ask is that you follow Leave No Trace so future visitors can enjoy it as well.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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