Trappers Lake Trail

Description:

• The Trappers Lake Trail leads from Trappers Lake to Indian Camp Pass, just north of Deep Lake, on the Eagle Ranger District. It can be accessed from either end. The following description starts at the Trappers Lake end of the trail.

  The Trappers Lake Trail is accessed from the Carhart Trail (#1815) and the Trappers Outlet Trailhead. It begins south of Trappers Lake. It provides access up Fraser Creek to the eastern part of the Flat Tops Wilderness. The trail follows Fraser Creek through an environment that changes from forest to riparian to alpine meadows. Five miles from the trailhead, the trail emerges onto the Flat Tops Plateau in an area bounding with many small potholes of water. The trail now heads south crossing the headwaters of the South Fork of the White River, and the west side of Shingle Peak for 5.5 miles to the popular camping area around Rim and Shepherd Lakes. The higher peaks on the Flat Tops are distinguishable along this section of the trail. Looking down Sweetwater Creek, three miles southwest of Rim Lake, you can see the Sawatch Range to the southeast. The remaining 3 miles of the trail from Sweetwater Creek to Indian Camp Pass alternate between aspen, alpine meadows and spruce fir forests. The trail drops about 1,000 feet in the last 1.5 miles to Indian Camp Pass.

  The Trappers Lake Trail intersects numerous other trails as it crosses the Flat Tops Wilderness including the Wall Lake, Island Lake, Sweetwater and Dry Sweetwater trails.