Crater Lake (10,400′) and Mirror Lake (10,325′), Front Range
Mirror Lake and Crater lake are found deep in the heart of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Cascade Falls is a popular destination found along the trail. It is about 4.5 miles in and comprises of multiple waterfalls.
The destination, Crater Lake, sits in a large bowl under Mount Achonee (12,469′), Lone Eagle Peak (11,920′) and several unnamed 12,000′ peaks. Peck Glacier and several perennial snowfields can be seen clinging to the steep terrain west of Lone Eagle Peak. This trail is rated as moderate, but if done in a single day the mileage would make this a difficult hike.
The Indian Peaks Wilderness encompasses over 50 lakes 133 miles of trails, with many other beautiful destinations such as Mt Audubon and Mitchell Lake.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Monarch Lake Trailhead
- Round trip: Crater Lake 15 miles/ 24.1 km
- Elevation: 8,365′-10,400′ / 2,550 m – 3,170 m
- County: Grand
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Forest: Arapaho
- Nat’l Wilderness: Indian Peaks
Trail Pictures
Base of Cascade Falls
Base of Cascade Falls
So many beautiful waterfalls along the trail
So many beautiful waterfalls along the trail
The trail crosses several meadows on the way to Crater Lake
The trail crosses several meadows on the way to Crater Lake
Trail along Monarch Lake
Trail along Monarch Lake
Trail cutting through pine, aspen, and spruce forest
Trail cutting through pine, aspen, and spruce forest
Views from the north bank of Monarch Lake
Views from the north bank of Monarch Lake
Monarch Lake from the trailhead
Monarch Lake from the trailhead
Monarch Lake Trailhead
Monarch Lake Trailhead
Base of Cascade Falls
Base of Cascade Falls
Peak 11,893′ coming into view on the right
Peak 11,893′ coming into view on the right
Wildflowers along the trail
Wildflowers along the trail
One of many creek crossings
One of many creek crossings
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake
Mt Achonee (12,649′) towering above Mirror Lake
Mt Achonee (12,649′) towering above Mirror Lake
Lone Eagle Peak with Peck Glacier in the background
Lone Eagle Peak with Peck Glacier in the background
View of Crater Lake basin
View of Crater Lake basin
View of imposing mountains from Crater Lake
View of imposing mountains from Crater Lake
Crater Lake with Mt Achonee
Crater Lake with Mt Achonee
View east from Crater Lake
View east from Crater Lake
View above Crater Lake
View above Crater Lake
View of Lone Eagle Peak
View of Lone Eagle Peak
Morning light on a waterfall
Morning light on a waterfall
Lone Eagle Peak towering over Mirror Lake
Lone Eagle Peak towering over Mirror Lake
Lone Eagle Peak towering over Mirror Lake
Lone Eagle Peak towering over Mirror Lake
View of Lone Eagle Peak
View of Lone Eagle Peak
Jagged peaks in the Indian Peaks Wilderness
Jagged peaks in the Indian Peaks Wilderness
A beautiful day for a hike
A beautiful day for a hike
Beautiful Lone Eagle Peak (11,920′) in the distance
Beautiful Lone Eagle Peak (11,920′) in the distance
Narrow point in the Cascade trail
Narrow point in the Cascade trail
Peak 11,893′ (left) and Peak 11,535′ (right)
Peak 11,893′ (left) and Peak 11,535′ (right)
Shoshoni Peak (12,600′)
Shoshoni Peak (12,600′)
One of the many waterfalls along the trail
One of the many waterfalls along the trail
A moose in the thick underbrush
A moose in the thick underbrush
The top of a waterfall
The top of a waterfall
Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls
Afternoon light on Monarch Lake
Afternoon light on Monarch Lake
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
The trail begins along the west shore of Monarch Lake. The trail is level as it follows the northern shore of the lake. There are occasional switchbacks as the trail follows Buchanan Creek through pine, aspen, and spruce forests. There are several waterfalls along Buchanan Creek and later along Cascade Creek, including Cascade Falls.
There are two trail junctions, both of which are clearly marked. At ~3.5 miles stay right on the Cascade Trail at the junction for Buchanan Pass Trail. At the junction ~6.5 miles, stay right to head toward Crater Lake. The trail to the left continues to Pawnee Pass Trail. After a short climb you’ll come to an open meadow with a large boulder field on the left-hand side. The trail crosses a large flat rock bed and is marked by 5-6 cairns. After following the cairns back onto the clearly defined trail, several steep switchbacks take you up to the basin.
The trail appears to end at Mirror Lake as you walk around the side (right) of the lake, but the trail picks up on the west side of Mirror Lake and takes you to Crater Lake, a very short distance.
Trailhead Directions