Lower Cataract Lake is located 25 miles northwest of Silverthorne, CO in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest. The Cataract Loop Trail circles the lake on gentle grades and mild terrain that's well suited for families, runners, anglers and winter recreation. Though short, visitors will enjoy a wide range of ecotones that include open sage fields, thick aspen groves, dense spruce-fir forests and colorful riparian zones around the lake and its inlet stream.

The snowy creek which feeds Lower Cataract Lake

A young buck scans the landscape on a hillside near Lower Cataract Lake

Looking east across the north shore of Lower Cataract Lake

The shores of Lower Cataract Lake are inundated with aspens making this an excellent fall hike

Icicles mix with hanging moss off a large block of granite

Looking north across Lower Cataract Lake

A buck takes cover in the sage fields surrounding Lower Cataract lake

Lower Cataract Lake is a great hike for families with small children

The concentration of aspens on this trail is very high

A group of healthy deer is indicative of the positive general health of the area