This trail is easily accessed from Sylvan Lake State Park, south of Eagle, and provides a good view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

This well-marked, maintained trail passes through aspen forests, open meadows and some spruce, fir and lodgepole pine forest. The uphill grade varies from 4% to 22%. The trail begins in aspen and climbs up steeply to an overlook of Sylvan Lake. The grade becomes fairly level and then it becomes a moderate uphill through some grassy open areas. The trail may be faint here, but is easy to find again on the other side. Towards the upper end of the trail, it enters a cool coniferous forest and crosses a small intermittent stream. At the end, the trail fades out in a grassy aspen grove just past a small open meadow.

SPECIAL INTERESTS
SCENIC VIEWS - About 0.6 miles up the trail, there is a good view of Sylvan Lake below. Other parts of the trail have views of Red Table Mountain to the southwest and the high red sandstone cliffs of Mount Eve to the north.

WILDFLOWERS - This trail offers a great variety of wildflowers, but none of which are very abundant. There are harebells, sego lilies, paintbrushes, wild rose bushes and asters on the lower part of the trail. Sunflowers, lupines and wild geraniums are more common near the top of the trail.

Directions: From Beaver Creek, Travel west on I-70 to Eagle (exit #147). Turn left and drive into Eagle. Turn left on Capitol Street and follow to Brush Creek Road. Follow Brush Creek Road 10 miles south of Eagle. Turn right onto West Brush Creek, FDR 400, and drive another 6 miles. The trailhead is just past the entrance for Sylvan Lake on the left. Vehicles may park in the small picnic area which is part of the Sylvan Lake State Recreation Area. A State Parks Pass is needed to utilize the picnic site. The trail begins behind the last picnic table to the right before the fence. There are no toilets on site.

Elevation: 8,700 feet

Ending Elevation: 10,040 feet

Usage: Moderate

Difficulty: Strenuous

Visitor Information

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