Wheeler Lakes (5 miles)
One of the two Wheeler Lakes. Copper Mountain's snowless ski slopes sit in the background.
The Eagle’s Nest wilderness and surrounding areas abound in great backpacking routes. They’re relatively accessible from Denver, provide lots of variety, and great scenery.
Wheeler Lakes is one of my favorites for those relatively new to backpacking. They make a great second, third, or twelth trip for someone that wants a challenge - there’s plenty of climbing in this one - but not too much distance. The lakes offer good chances to explore and soak in the great views, including seeing across to the snowless ski slopes of Copper Mountain! And, Frisco, Breckenridge, and other mountain towns offer some great post-hike meal opportunities.
By the numbers
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,400 feet
Time from Denver, Colorado: 75-90 minutes
Difficulty:
Beauty/Epicness:
What makes it special?
Great payoff views and exploring opportunities for a relatively short (but challenging elevation-wise) hike. Close to some of Colorado’s best mountain towns (my personal favorite walking mountain town is Breckenridge).
Campsites and permits
No permits needed for this National Forest area. It can get a bit busy, though, so keep that in mind when planning trip timing for parking and site selection.
Trailhead
I typically park at the Conoco gas station on the west side of I-70 and then cross the overpass to the trailhead. Parking is free.