Colorado · Hiking · Eagles Nest Wilderness

Willow Lake Trail

4.8 mi
round trip
600 ft
climb
11,438 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Willow Lake Trail 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.

Willow Lake Trail is a 4.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, part of the Dillon Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated moderate, with about 600 feet of elevation gain from the low point at 10,830 feet to the high at 11,438 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. That makes it a good fit for a horseback ride or a day on foot. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Climax weather station show July highs around 67°F with lows near 40°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-20s and frequent snow days from December through February. Salmon Lake is less than a mile away, and Buffalo Cabin Trail is about 2.7 miles off. Blue River Campground and the Blue River fishing area are both within about 5 miles.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Willow Lake Trail

    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, 20.8 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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