Lily Pond Lake Hike
The Lily Pond Lake Hike is a scenic adventure up a shared, forested route to a quaint alpine lake nestled at the base of Colorado’s tallest ranked peak. This stunning nature walk reveals the area’s lush vegetation and dramatic snow-capped peaks. Perfect to get acclimated to the area’s altitude, this short excursion packs a punch!
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Route Description for Lily Pond Lake Hike
The Lily Pond Lake Trail is a charming adventure. Travel through dense evergreen forests and golden aspen groves before opening to the lake, bounded by impressive Sawatch Mountain summits. Revel in the diversity of the Colorado wilderness and explore the lake’s shores—noticing the beaver dams that have created several small ponds in the area. Note this route is shared with vehicles, so keep an ear out and try to stay near the road’s shoulder.
Embark on your adventure along the Lily Pond Lake Trail from the Mount Elbert Road entrance. From here, follow the route west through a luxuriant meadow before dipping below the timberline. Now hiking through an aspen grove, enjoy the sights of the golden foliage that surrounds you. Soon you will intersect with a small stream, and the forest will transform into an evergreen oasis. Follow the Mount Elbert Road all the way to the Mount Elbert Trailhead. Here, veer right and take an unnamed route northeast up to Lily Pond.
Explore the shores of the quaint pond, and in the summer months, let the vibrance of the area’s greenery take your breath away. Notice Mount Elbert towering above in the west, and when you are ready to return, you have two choices. Either retrace your footing along the path back to the trailhead or loop around on the Lily Pond Road to get back to the route’s entrance near the campground.
Getting to the Lily Pond Lake Hike Trailhead
The Lily Pond Lake Trail departs from the Mount Elbert Road Trailhead near the Lakeview Campground.
Route Information
Lily Pond Lake Hike Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherLily Pond Lake Hike Reviews
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Nearby Trails
- Bartlett Gulch Hike
- Bermuda Triangle and Upper Twin Lake Loop Trail
- Willis Lake Trail
- Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes
- Mount Elbert Loop Trail
- Twin Lakes Reservoir and Interlaken Hike
- Mount Elbert Southeast Ridge Trail
- Hope Pass via Willis Gulch Trail
- Interlaken Trail
- Bartlett Gulch Loop Trail
- Mount Elbert East Ridge Trail
- North Mount Elbert Trail