2021 Update from the USFS: We recently made our permits for the Indian Peaks Wilderness available online. People can get permits here.

Next to the Four Pass Loop, overnight camping in the shadow of Lone Eagle Peak might be my top pick for “best Colorado backpacking trip.”

At 11,940 feet, Lone Eagle Peak isn’t especially tall. But its elegant, spired shape makes it one of the most photographed mountains in Colorado.

You’ve no doubt seen this icon around the web, in magazines, and on Instagram.

In fact, we realized once we arrived at our campsite that it was on the packaging of Chelsea’s Chicken Coconut Rice Backpacker’s Pantry meal!

So in today’s post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to backpack to Lone Eagle Peak, camp at its base, marvel at its reflection, and photograph it for yourself.

This is one of these gorgeous, sexy backpacking trips that belongs on your bucket list!

About Lone Eagle Peak

Lone Eagle Peak lies in the rugged Indian Peaks Wilderness, roughly south of Rocky Mountain National Park. The easiest way to reach the peak is to start from the Cascade Creek Trailhead near Granby, Colorado.

Your destinations for this trip are two alpine lakes nestled in the glacial cirque at the base of the peak. The first, Mirror Lake, provides a natural reflecting pool for Lone Eagle Peak, as you can see in the photo below.

The upper and larger lake, Crater Lake, connects to Mirror Lake via a very short stream (really only a couple hundred feet). While Crater Lake is pretty to look at, it doesn’t photograph as spectacularly as Mirror Lake.

Overnight backpackers visiting the area around Lone Eagle Peak — a.k.a. the Crater Lake Travel Zone — must camp at one of 12 designated sites. Nine surround the lakes, and three are located lower in the valley.

Because Indian Peaks is a high traffic area, you’ll also need to obtain permits for your overnight trip. (See below for more info.)

Trip Overview

• Distance — officially, a 14.3 mi. round-trip according to AllTrails, but clocked in closer to 17 mi. on my and Jenny’s GPS watches.

• Elevation Gain — 2,244 ft.

• Starting Elevation — 8,350 ft. (Trailhead)

• Max Elevation — 10,343 ft. (Crater Lake)

• Trailhead — Cascade Creek

• Management Agency — Indian Peaks Wilderness

The Cascade Creek Trailhead has ample parking. However, this is a popular area that fills fast! Arrive early for the best parking spots. (Data point: the lot was full at 11:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, though some overflow parking was still available along the road.)

The trail starts at a gated road at the far end of the parking lot. Just beyond the gate, you’ll find restrooms and a registration area where you can sign your group in and out.

Cascade Creek Trail starts out quite flat as it passes Monarch Lake. Later, it also passes two spectacular waterfalls as it climbs into a gorgeous basin. While the trail is generally well maintained, it can be steep, rough, and rocky in sections, especially as you climb above the second waterfall.

Above the second waterfall, watch the meadow to your right for grazing moose. (There were two hanging out on the day we were there, but apparently we missed them. 😢 )

About a mile and change before the lakes, you’ll reach a trail junction. Keep right, following signs for Crater Lake. Beyond this point, camping is only allowed in designated locations.

There’s one spot near the junction where the view opens up for beautiful vistas of Long Eagle Peak and the surrounding range. However, keep in mind that it’s easy to get lost in this area! As you cross the rock slabs, keep an eye out for the trail bending down to the right.

Helpful Tips for Lone Eagle Peak Backpacking

When to Go

As elsewhere in the Colorado high country, the best hiking and backpacking conditions can be found from July to mid-September. June can also be a good month, but expect some snow on trail and higher flow at river crossings.

I snapped the following pictures on June 25–26, 2020, which followed a slightly dry winter.

Backcountry camping Permits

Permitting info changes rapidly, so please check the links below for the most updated info. The following is true as of July 5, 2020:

• You must have a permit to camp overnight in Indian Peaks Wilderness if you will be visiting between June 1 and September 15.

• Large groups (8–12 people) and outfitters/guides must have a permit year-round for both day hiking and overnight camping.

• At the time of this writing, permit applications were being processed by email only due to the coronavirus outbreak.

• Note that backcountry permits for the Crater Lake Travel Zone (where you are headed) are extremely competitive, especially for holidays and weekends. If you’re applying later in the season, your best bet may be to visit on a weekday.

• The US Forest Service recommends allowing two weeks for permit processing.

Useful websites:

• Forest Service page on Indian Peaks Wilderness

• Backcountry permit application

Water crossings

There is a large-ish creek crossing about 1.5 miles below Mirror Lake. You must also cross a creek to reach campsites #5–7.

For most of the year, it’s easy to hop across these streams on logs and rocks. Poles may be helpful for balance.

However, if you’re visiting early in the season (before July in most years), some of your stepping stones may be underwater! If you hate the idea of hiking in wet feet, bring water sandals and/or extra socks for these crossings.

Finding the campsites

At Mirror Lake, you’ll find a wooden plaque showing the locations of the designated campsites.

Be warned that some of these sites are hard to find! There are very few signs to guide you. Generally speaking, most of the sites are on rocky areas above the trails.

Each site is marked by a wooden sign like this one:

Here’s a quick guide to the sites:

When I visited in 2020, the trail that leads to sites 4 through 7 was blocked in several places by deadfall. Numerous social trails had formed, making sites #6 and #7 a bit tricky to find. Here’s a run down.

• #4 – the easiest-to-find and closest site, and one of the most beautiful. It’s just beyond the plaque on top of a rocky area to the left of the trail.

• #5 – beautiful, but also visible from the trail, which means less solitude. Look for the sign just beyond the creek crossing.

• #6 – located in a small grove next to a low, marshy area by a pond, between the lakes and a little to the left.

• #7 – on a rock outcropping at the near end of Crater Lake. Nice views, but hard to find!

The trail leading to sites 8 through 12 is more distinct and easier to follow. With the exception of #12, the sites are located together on a rocky bench above and to the right of the trail.

To reach sites 8 through 11, look for a sign pointing up and right to campsites #8 and #9. All of the sites connect to these by social trails.

• #8 – Views not great, high traffic.

• #9 – Designated for large groups (8–12 people).

• #10 – Small and hard to find, sign faces away from the main trail, some nice lake views.

• #11 – Our site in this picture, which had excellent views and also easy access to water via a small creek. A potential downside was the marshy, buggy area beside us. Not sure if this dries up later in the summer?

#12 is widely considered the most beautiful campsite in the travel zone. To reach it, follow the main trail until it passes a swampy area with nice views of Crater Lake and then crosses a small creek. Scramble up the rocky bluffs on the far side of the creek and look for a ruined cabin. The campsite is just beyond.

Sorry I don’t have beta on sites 1 through 3, which are located further down the valley near the rock slabs. For what it’s worth, the ranger told us #1 has great views of Lone Eagle and is one of his favorites. As of June 25, 2020, #2 and #3 still appeared to be snowed under.

Mosquitoes and bugs

The approach to Lone Eagle Peak via Cascade Creek Trail crosses some swampy areas. And the cirque where Crater and Mirror Lakes sit can also be a bit damp. (It may dry up later in the season, but it was definitely true in June.)

For this reason, I suggest bringing bug spray — and carrying it somewhere you can grab it fast! The mosquitoes came out for real when we were having dinner and were somewhat active during the day as well.

Long pants and sleeves are also helpful, especially during the hike in.

The gnats around Monarch Lake near the trailhead can get quite thick. Sunglasses and a bandana will keep them out of your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Leave No Trace

Because of its proximity to the major cities of Denver and Boulder, Indian Peaks is one of the most heavily traveled wilderness areas in the country. It’s therefore extra important to follow Leave No Trace principles during your visit. Some specifics for this area:

• Keep group size small (Indian Peaks limits group size to 12 and has additional regulations for groups of 8-12).

• When possible, travel on durable surfaces like rocks, trails, and snow. Try to avoid trampling plants and vegetation. Stay on trails, even when they’re wet and muddy.

• At your campsite, pitch your tent only on worn and durable surfaces within 30 feet of the site marker.

• Per wilderness regulations, use stoves for cooking in the Crater Lake Travel Zone. No campfires are allowed.

• Respect wildlife. Do not approach or feed animals. Store food and scented items in bear canisters or hang them when not in use at camp. Keep dogs leashed per wilderness regulations.

• Provide a true wilderness experience for everyone. Please no shouting, noisy conversations, or backpack speakers.

Climbing Lone Eagle Peak

Lone Eagle Peak also has a write-up on summit post.

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There you have it: my guide to Lone Eagle Peak, a serious contender for best Colorado backpacking trip.

Got questions? Hop in the Facebook Group and ask away!

Originally published July 5, 2020.