Beaver Lake is located 2.6 miles from the Beaver Creek Ski Resort in the Holy Cross Wilderness. The Beaver Creek Trail continues 4.6 miles along Beaver Creek to its headwaters at the Turquoise Lakes. This long and varied trail is highlighted by kinetic streams, pristine forests, large meadows and three lakes with distinct characteristics.

The Beaver Lake Trail runs 7.2 miles from Village Road in Beaver Creek Ski Resort to the Turquoise Lakes and headwaters of Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek flows into the Eagle River, which joins the Colorado River near Dotsero, CO

Lupine is a flowering perennial plant from the legume family; the seeds are edible, but many species contain alkaloids that are toxic to livestock

The Turquoise Lake Trail cuts through damp, flower riddled meadows on a relatively moderate .6 mile hike between the lower and upper lake

Upper Turquoise Lake and the valley below are carved from the north flank of the Mt Jackson massif

Red Columbine is a perennial herb in the Buttercup Family

The Holy Cross Wilderness was established in 1980 and covers approximately 123,000 acres

Marsh Marigolds (Caltha leptospala) are in the Buttercup family; Caltha is a Greek word sometimes applied to plants with yellow flowers, and leptosepala means 'slender sepals'

Lower Turquoise Lake's open shore is easily circumnavigated, with ideal conditions for camping and fishing

Alpine Mertensia Flowers are common along streams and damp soil beds

Bridge crossings at 4.7 and 5.45 miles lead over voluminous cascades along Beaver Creek

The grade levels and forest opens abruptly at the foot of Lower Turquoise Lake in the upper valley

Anglers and backpackers will enjoy several acres of soft, level ground around the lower lake

Beaver Lake is ringed by thick timber and steep walls, but several openings offer access to the water

The land around Upper Turquoise Lake is more rugged than the lower lake, but more private and less exposed to through-traffic

Colorado subalpine forests typically occur 9,000' - 11,000', with primary constituents of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce

Beaver Lake is located just inside the Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary south of the Beaver Creek Ski Resort

The Five Senses Trail (.55 miles long) connects the Gerald Ford Parking Garage with the Beaver Lake Trailhead

Lingering snow drifts may obfuscate an already faint trail in the upper valley

Beaver Lake (9,746')

Views of the valley headwall on the final approach to Lower Turquoise Lake