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Thomas Lakes Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (9)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. White River National Forest
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“The starting trail for any Mount Sopris adventure. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.2

KM

Point to Point

10,201' 3,109 m

High

9,402' 2,866 m

Low

799' 244 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Thomas Lakes Trail proper is a two-mile (one way) hike, but because the trail's actual starting point is 1.75 miles from the parking area, this is best described as a 3.75-mile hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.

Description

Thomas Lakes Trail heads west off of Hay Park Trail at the southern end of a meadow around 1.75 miles from the start toward the Mount Sopris Trail.

After the trail split, Thomas Lakes Trail climbs through Aspen trees and open meadows for ~2mi. In this span, the trail crosses Prince Creek twice before finally reaching Thomas Lakes.

Contacts

Land Manager: White River National Forest - Maroon Bells

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Spero Papadopoulos
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 9 votes

#11

in White River National Forest

#7284

Overall
  4.4 from 9 votes
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Trail Rankings

#11

in White River National F…

#544

in Colorado

#7,284

Overall
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2,385 Since Dec 15, 2014
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Photos

One of the many open meadows on the Thomas Lakes Trail heading up to Mount Sopris.
Dec 15, 2014 near El Jebel, CO
Heading back down Mount Sopris, surrounded by Aspen and wildflowers.
Dec 15, 2014 near El Jebel, CO
Carbondale runner, Elinor Fish, out for a sunrise cruise on the flanks of Mt Sopris.
Sep 30, 2015 near El Jebel, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 10, 2021
Emily Teague
3h 45m
Jun 22, 2021
Michael Capelle
8.74 miles 1684 feet round trip from parking lot. 8.7mi
Aug 8, 2020
Jana DuMond
Beautiful day for a beautiful hike. We are so excited to camp at Thomas Lakes for the first time! 4.1mi — 2h 26m
May 30, 2020
Jana DuMond
Seems to take about 2 miles from the parking lot to get to this trail. There are still some snow patches and we did get caught in the rain at the e… 8.8mi — 3h 50m
Sep 25, 2018
Mally Shaw
Sep 4, 2018
Emmanuel Beltran
Drive a little rough
Sep 2, 2018
Rob Cannon
Didn’t get to make it to the top. But great trail and perfect weather 4.5mi
Aug 1, 2016
Katie Millar
up to Mt. Sporis 3.8mi — 2h 15m

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