Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville

Nast E Lake

0.4 mi
round trip
4 ft
climb
8,737 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Nast E Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Nast E Lake is a short, easy hike in the Sopris Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.37 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 4 feet, and it makes an out-and-back trip between a low point of 8,718 feet and a high of 8,737 feet. The route is on natural surface, and it is open to both horses and bikes. The trailhead is at Granite Creek Trailhead, and the parking is at Granite Lakes Trailhead. The trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Meredith, CO, run to highs around 75 to 81°F in June through August, with July the warmest month. That station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the lake, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Granite Lake and Chapman Lake are both hikes about a mile and a half away. Chapman Group Campground and the Fryingpan River, a paddling route, are each about 1.7 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Chapman Group Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    La Mina Tacos Y Mariscos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 17 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Craig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Nast E Lake

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / 4°

    2. Feb

      36° / 6°

    3. Mar

      43° / 13°

    4. Apr

      51° / 21°

    5. May

      63° / 28°

    6. Jun

      75° / 34°

    7. Jul

      81° / 40°

    8. Aug

      80° / 39°

    9. Sep

      71° / 32°

    10. Oct

      61° / 23°

    11. Nov

      45° / 13°

    12. Dec

      34° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Meredith, CO, 8.5 mi away at 7,825 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.