The Surprise Trailhead is located 25 miles northwest of Silverthorne, CO in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest. It provides access to a string of subalpine lakes of varying distance and difficulty. Upper Cataract Lake and Cat Lake are connected by a stream that bisects Upper Cataract Trail. Mirror Lake is located 1.65 miles ahead over more challenging terrain. Visitors will enjoy brilliant wildflowers, diverse forests, and varied terrain en route to Upper Cataract Lake, Cat Lake, and Mirror Lake.

Views of Eagles Nest Peak (13,091') en route to Upper Cataract Lake

Sunflowers are abundant in sage fields and exposed slopes near the Surprise Trailhead

Primrose are common in the transition from aspen to spruce-fir forest

View of Cat lake from the Upper Cataract Trail's crest (5.0 miles : 10,890')

Cataract Creek flows through Mirror Lake and forms one of the largest drainages in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area

Red Columbine

Upper Cataract Lake's outlet crosses the trail and tumbles nearly 350' into the south shore of Cat Lake

Wildflowers peak in mid July on the trail's lower elevations

A healthy swath of lodgepole, spruce, and fir between Upper Cataract Lake and Mirror Lake

Columbine are particularly abundant along the first mile of the Surprise Trail

A small peninsula at Upper Cataract Lake often used as a backcountry campsite

Bear, elk, deer, and moose feed in grassy areas along Cataract Creek

Star Flower

The trail between Upper Cataract Lake and Mirror Lake is frequently obstructed by deadfall and can be difficult to follow

Mirror Lake and outlet (10,559')

Upper Cataract Lake (10,744') and Eagles Nest Peak (13,091')

Cataract Creek - Mirror Lake's outlet - can be difficult to cross during peak runoff

Aspen groves dot open sage and grass fields on the first mile of the Surprise Trail

Good navigational skills will lead you to a cluster of 4 ponds and lakes just northwest of Mirror Lake

Aster