Colorado · Hiking · Eagles Nest Wilderness · Near Leadville

Wheeler Lakes

Wheeler LakesPhoto: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.4 mi
round trip
18 ft
climb
11,080 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Wheeler Lakes 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.

Wheeler Lakes is an easy, short out-and-back hike of about 0.4 miles in Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness, on the Dillon Ranger District of White River National Forest. The trail rises just 18 feet from its low point of about 11,064 feet to a high of about 11,080 feet, making it a gentle walk for anyone stepping into the wilderness. The route is natural-surface and open to horses, with bikes not allowed. Parking is at the Wheeler trailhead, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Climax weather station run from highs around 67°F in July to 64°F in August, with snow common from November through April. Winter brings highs near 27°F and snow on about 15 days a month. Wheeler Lakes Trail, a cross-country ski route, lies about 0.1 mile away. Wheeler Lakes (Gore Range #60) offers lake fishing at about 1.2 miles, and the Vail - Frisco Rec Path, about 1.1 miles off, is a mountain biking option. Climbers can head to Officer's Gulch West, about 1.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Frisco Area

    Campground

    Campground · 5.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Salsa Mountain Cantina

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsPlazak, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Matchless Mine

    Attraction

    In town

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

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Wheeler Lakes

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    3. Mar

      35° / 8°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    4. Apr

      40° / 15°

      13 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      49° / 25°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    6. Jun

      61° / 34°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      67° / 40°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      64° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      58° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      47° / 21°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 11°

      12 wet · 12 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Climax, CO, 10.5 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • I-70: Vail Pass closed

      closed Nov 4, 2026 → reopened Nov 4, 2026 · State DOT

    • I-70: Vail Pass closed

      closed Oct 30, 2026 → reopened Oct 30, 2026 · State DOT

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