Lily Pond

Place is one of my favorites, have to hit it at the right time to get it without lilies!

One of my favorite places for primitive camping on the Western Slope. The hike to the lake from the trailhead on forest road 748 is moderate with a lot of up and down and about 5 miles to the lake (it feels a lot longer with all the elevation change). A little more than half way there is a cool abandon mine with some old equipment and cabins that is fun to check out and a nice break. You'll most likely be dodging dirt bikes and ATVs on the trail the whole way but its all worth it to view this unique vista. Besides the occasional dirt bike or rzr, I've never encountered another camper or hiker in this area while I'm there. Its usually pretty wet and marshy from the tree line to the lake but this year I was able to get all the way to the lake and filter water without even getting my feet wet. if you get lucky enough to stay on a clear night, the stars are unreal. One of the only places I've ever been able to see the "milkyness" of the galaxy so clearly.

Like the name suggests, it's a pond of lilies. The surrounding area is a bog preventing you from getting too close and there has been little to no water visible each time I've visited this location due to the sheer number of lilies.

Sit there quietly and the birds will say hello and ask for treats

Absolutely beautiful! Fair warning...it is ALL lily pads. Almost no open water.