Lily Pad Lakes • Hike • Colorado • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Aug 23 2025

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Buffalo Mountain Loop, CO

Run/Jog		Aug 23 2025
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	12.95 Miles	3,005 AEG

Run/Jog	12.95 Miles	4 Hrs 58 Mns 43 Secs	2.60 mph
	3,005 ft AEG

no routes

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Lily Pad Lakes

Meadow Creek Trail

Gore Range Trail #60

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Was operating on minimal sleep after driving up from Flagstaff on Friday, but still managed to get to Wildernest TH at around 7am, in time to snag a parking spot. Plan was to head up to S Willow Creek, and head over the pass connecting Buffalo Mountain to the rest of the range, and then head down Meadow Creek.

Little ascent to the Buffalo Mountain Trail junction, then a descent into South Willow Creek where I hit the Gore Trail. From there, it's a gradual climb all the way up to the treeline and alpine lakes. I was definitely not ready for the elevation, but eventually made it to the pass, where I was tempted to head up the ridge towards Buffalo Mountain (I think this ridge is passable), but decided against it.

The trail down to Meadow Creek was good, but I didn't do a whole lot of actual running. The descent down Meadow Creek was also pleasant.

At the Lilly Pad Lakes trail, I had a climb back up to the lakes, which wasn't too bad. Tons of people at the lake; when I was there last year it was on a Monday. From there is was mostly flat to downhill back to the parking lot, but I did get hit with some hail and light rain the last mile.

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Jul 16 2024

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Lily Pad Lakes

Northwest, CO

Lily Pad Lakes

Northwest, CO

Hiking		Jul 16 2024
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Hiking	3.40 Miles	778 AEG

Hiking	3.40 Miles	1 Hour 28 Mns	2.37 mph
	778 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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Late morning hike before beginning the trip back to AZ... Didn't want to leave my valuables in the car, so my "gear" consisted of jeans, a t-shirt, and a backpack containing my work computer and an 800 page novel that I forgot was in there. Probably looked ridiculous, but whatever.

Lots of pretty trees, and mushrooms are starting to sprout up. Passed by a couple of aspen boletes. In some areas, bark beetles look to be showing their presence; I think Summit County is going to start looking a lot different in the coming decade.

The lakes themselves were OK. We decided to walk around the perimeter of the big lake, which was fine but involved a lot of annoying deadfall. Pretty area, at least until all the spruce trees die off.

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Jul 20 2011

juliachaos

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Lily Pad Lakes

Northwest, CO

Lily Pad Lakes

Northwest, CO

Hiking		Jul 20 2011
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Hiking	3.20 Miles

Hiking	3.20 Miles

no routes

Linked

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no linked trail guides

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Our hike destination was originally Eccles Pass, or at least as close as we could get to it. Someone at the karaoke bar the night before had told me that he'd been all over the world, and Eccles Pass was the most beautiful place he'd ever been to. I was pretty sure he'd never been to Monte Cristo Gulch just down the road, but figured it would be worth it to check out a new destination instead, so I gathered up my dad and a couple other family members and headed to the nearby trailhead.

We started out, and within ten minutes were visiting with some returning hikers. We asked them what all was up that way, and were informed of the Lily Pad lakes. I was excited. I'd never seen a lily pad before, and now there was a whole lake nearby covered in them! We hiked on up that way, crossing a stream and several flower-filled meadows. The views were beautiful, as is expected up in that country. Eventually we reached the first of our destinations: an idyllic lake that was quite peaceful despite the number of people collected around it. We stopped there for a short while, enjoying the presence of several silly dogs splashing around in the water, then moved on to the second lake. We'd been told that the first lake was "okay," so couldn't wait to see the second one. I could hardly believe it when I rounded the corner and realized that the greenery I was staring at wasn't mere meadow grass, but a lush expanse of lily pads covering the lake surface! Each of us exclaimed quietly as we approached, not sure where to begin. We wandered about along the shore for a little while, taking it all in. It's really quite something to see. Again, all the visitors were very peaceful, quietly enjoying the scenery. We lingered for some time, then headed back down the trail to the car. I'd suggest this trail as one of those that would be good for a first day in the mountains, to acclimate to the altitude while still visiting a worthwhile little destination.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bluebells Bracted Honeysuckle Fendler Rose Forget-Me-Not Harebell Mariposa Lily Red Columbine Yellow Pond Lily

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dragonfly

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Buffalo Mountain Lily Pad Lake North Star Mountain Quandary Peak

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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