Between Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park off the Peak-to-Peak highway, this short hike leads to a picture-perfect lakeside campsite in the Roosevelt National Forest. From the end of the dirt road, hike across the cattle guard and continue on the wide double track 300 yards before tuning left on a signed spur trail, also headed uphill. At the next junction, stay left to wind around the hillside, heading south and dipping into a grassy field before beginning another climb, this time through rocky outcroppings and on a more rugged section of trail. As the climb mellows and curves north, look left through a small aspen grove for views of the lake before rounding the final outcropping to an open clearing and campfire ring on the small pond about 0.8 miles from the trailhead.
There are several trails emanating from the clearing, and plenty of campsites (head west for views of Longs Peak and north for early-morning shade). The pond itself is a great place to while away the afternoon in a hammock, or catching water boatmen and leeches near the murky shore.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland
TO TRAILHEAD: From Boulder, drive 13 miles north on US-36 and turn left driving 1.5 miles through Lyons. Turn left onto US-36 at the edge of town and proceed 16.4 miles before turning right onto Taylor Road. Drive 0.7 miles on the dirt road to the trailhead parking lot.
