Exploring Eagles Nest Wilderness: Colorado's Untamed Beauty

Willow Lakes | Eagles Nest Wilderness

August 2020

In the heart of the untamed Eagle's Nest Wilderness lies a gem of nature's design—the Willow Lakes Basin. Revered by climbers and hikers alike, this landscape boasts a symphony of spectacular rock formations juxtaposed against the serene beauty of its crystalline waters. Embarking from the Willowbrook trailhead, the trail unfolds, traveling through dry forests first before reaching Salmon Lake. The trail reveals its true essence, leading hikers further into the wilderness towards the Willow Lakes basin.

Ascending the rugged ridge northwest of Red Mountain, every step is a dance with the elements, rewarded by the panoramic vistas that await atop. Back down in the basin amidst the tranquil embrace of wildflowers, meandering creeks, and ancient woods, time seems to stand still. And as the journey comes full circle back to the trailhead, one is left with not just memories, but a deeper appreciation for the untamed beauty that defines the Eagle's Nest Wilderness.