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Lily Pad

Length: 3.2 miles roundtrip
Highlights: A beautiful scenic hike for both young and old.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Below: A close up of the lily pads.
A fantastic hike for both young and old, Lily pad truly offers something for everyone. Keep on the lookout for beaver ponds and wildlife!

Directions: Directions: Exit I-70 at exit 205 and take Colorado 9 north (about a block) to the traffic light at Wendy's. Turn left onto Wildernest Rd., just in front of the 7-11, and continue 3.5 miles to the final loop at the end of the road. (Wildernest Rd. turns into Ryan Gulch Road)

At the top of the loop you will see a parking area on your left. A dirt road across from the parking area leads up the hill to the trailhead. The trail of 1.6 miles leads to two lakes - Lower Lily Pad Lake and Upper Lily Pad Lake.
 

 Below:
A young hiker discovering the joy of hiking in Summit County.


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This is a great nature walk for hikers of all ages and a perfect place to introduce youngsters to the beaver ponds that dot the area and the numerous yellow pond lilies that cover Lower Lily Pad by mid-summer. 

The trail is a well marked path of gentle ups and downs that can be marshy in spots so some mosquito repellant is a good idea if you make the trek during the warmer season. Be on the lookout for  wildlife that abounds - elk and moose have been spotted from this trail in recent years so keep the kids close! 


Nice clear paths with a well marked trail  makes this an easy and enjoyable trail for the whole family. 		You follow in the footsteps of early 19th century fur trappers as you proceed through the aspen and pine forests so the ghosts of Summit County may also be encountered in this historic place A fun hike for the whole family!


Beautiful scenery surrounds you on this trek to Lily pond. Buffalo Mountain (inset) provides the backdrop for this scenic hike.
     

 

    

 

  
  beginner intermediate advanced
    Black Powder Pass   Mohawk Lake   Quandary Peak  14,265'
    Lily Pad   Chihuahua Gulch   Lincoln & Bross 14,291' / 14,177'
    St. John's   Mt. Royal   Bierstadt Peak 14,060'
    Mayflower Gulch   Wheeler Lakes   Willow & Salmon Lakes
    Loveland Pass   Radical Hill Trail   Upper Crystal Lake
    Salt Lick Trail   McCullough Gulch   Gray's & Torrey's 14,278' / 14,267'
    Mesa Cortina Trail   Mt. Sniktau   Mt. Democrat 14,152'
    St. Mary's Glacier   North Ten Mile Trail   Mt. Victoria
    Sally Barber Mine   Willow Falls  

Mt. Elbert  14,433'
    Oro Grande Trail   Eaglesmere Lakes   Buffalo Mountain  12,777'
    Meadow Creek-Salt Lick   Mosquito Pass   Eccles Pass
    Shrine Mountain Trail   Webster Pass   Mt. Huron  14,003'
    Ptarmigan Trail   Ptarmigan via Wilder Gulch    
    Peaks Tr. Barton Gulch   Wheeler Lake - Park County    
    Hoosier Pass Loop   Lenawee Trail    

 

  Spruce Creek Loop NEW! Nightmare on Baldy Mine    
  NEW! Tenderfoot Mountain Trail        
   

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Note: The Summit County Explorer website is for entertainment purposes only. SCE will not be held liable for the any accidents or injuries resulting from the activities listed on this site. Trail conditions change daily and we assume no responsibility for the safety of any individual during any of these activities. Please consult actual trail guides and maps before attempting any of the activities mentioned here.