The hike to Silver Lake is a great day or overnight hike. The trail is about 3.8 miles at climbs about 1,300 vertical ft. Thanks to the National Forest Service the trail is well marked and easy to follow.
The first mile of the hike slowly climbs through beautiful groves of quaking aspen and stream side meadows. Take some time to enjoy the quite and listen to the breeze blow through the trees. The trail then climbs steadily in the mountain tops. After every switch back I kept saying to myself, "The lake must just be around the top of the next switch back". The steepest stretch comes at the last quarter mile of the trail. Not to worry soon you'll be at the top and you can soak your feet in the icy lake.
Last time I hiked this trail was July 4th, 1998. Even thought it was July There was still snow around the lake and hiding in the shadows along the trail. The temperature that night dropped down in the low 40's F. During the night I was awaken by a pack a coyotes yelping and early in the morning I had two deer walk trough my camp site.
The views from Silver Lake are breathtaking. High up above every thing else you really feel like you are in a wilderness area. Silver Lake was a great place to escape the crowds of people, only two other people camped that night at Silver Lake that night.
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