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North Willow Lake Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.7 (23)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. …Silverthorne & Dillon
  5. Willow Creek Trail System
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“A forested trail that leads to a beautiful high alpine lake. ”

Chelsea Gribbin
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Map Key

6.6

Miles

10.6

KM

Point to Point

11,443' 3,488 m

High

8,985' 2,738 m

Low

2,596' 791 m

Up

168' 51 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The parking at the Willowbrook Trailhead is limited. There is overflow parking at the bottom of the subdivision (1.1 miles from the trailhead). On-street parking is NOT allowed near the trailhead or anywhere in this neighborhood.

Need to Know

There is no overnight parking allowed at this trailhead.

Description

The trailhead is located at the top of the Willowbrook neighborhood, and is forested pretty much the entire way to the lake. There are a few look out areas facing east where you can see the mountains on the divide. The trail follows alongside of North Willow Creek most of the way, until mile 8 when you cross it. There is a short trail at this crossing that leads to Salmon Lake. Continue on past Salmon Lake trail about 2 miles to North Willow Lake. Then turn around and return the way you came.

Flora & Fauna

Many wildflowers, moose and marmots to be seen!

Shared By:

Chelsea Gribbin with improvements by Matt Hambright
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 23 votes

#1

in Willow Creek Trail System

#154

Overall
  4.7 from 23 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
30%
3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Willow Creek Trail System

#38

in Colorado

#154

Overall
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18,366 Since Mar 14, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Looking up at Zodiac Spires from North Willow Lake
Mar 14, 2015 near Silvert…, CO
North Willow Lake Trail heading towards our destination
Mar 14, 2015 near Silvert…, CO
Looking north at one of the many small ponds
Mar 14, 2015 near Silvert…, CO
Heading up on the North Willow Lake Trail, views of the neighboring peaks abound.
Jun 26, 2017 near Silvert…, CO
Stream crossing
Aug 5, 2022 near Silvert…, CO
Travel through the pine forest on the way to Salmon Lake.
Jun 18, 2017 near Silvert…, CO

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Weather

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Check-Ins

Apr 5, 2024
Ryuichi Izumikawa
Oct 30, 2020
Anjana Sasi
12mi — 7h 00m
Sep 5, 2020
Jack Prescott
hiked and camped overnight from the overflow lot to Willow lake. Great tough hike - as in uphill the whole way. but it was worth it. bid recommend… 6.6mi — 10h 20m
Aug 15, 2020
Kathy Perry
Left at 5:30am. Stopped at every pond, lake, stream along the way to fish. Beautiful, quiet solitude! 15mi
Jul 9, 2020
Jordan Rasure
Beautiful. Started to run out of daylight near the end due to a late start, but absolutely worth it. RT: 14.4 w/ Salmon added. 14.4mi — 6h 33m
Jul 5, 2020
Meaghan O.
6.6mi — 4h 00m
Jun 29, 2020
Brian Wanless
This trail is significantly longer than 6.6 miles. My GPS tracker had me at 17.4 miles by the end and we didn't even do salmon lake. Fun hike though. 17.4mi — 8h 00m
Apr 6, 2020
Karen Gallegos

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