The Thomas Lakes are located at the base of Mount Sopris in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness. The first lake fills a steep walled bowl that forms Prince Creek; the second lies .2 miles away in a more accessible basin. The trail passes through mountain shrublands, high meadows and tall aspen stands to the lakes, and continues 4 miles and 2800' up to Mount Sopris.

Look for raspberries popping through rugged talus on the open north shore of lower Thomas Lake

Mountain - Sage Shrublands require periodic, low intensity fires to maintain natural specie density and balance

Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is a perennial herb in the rose family

All sub-peaks of Mount Sopris are visibile from various points in the Thomas Lakes basin

Lower Thomas Lake fills a steep-walled bowl that forms the headwaters of Prince Creek

The Serviceberry is a small tree or large shrub that produces showy white flowers in the spring and edible fruits in the fall

The Thomas Lakes support abundant cutthroat trout, with best fishign times reported at 7-9a and 12:30p-2:30p

Wild iris stalks can grow 1 - 2 feet tall with many color variations

Upper Thomas Lake is relatively shallow and has no natural outlet

Larkspur belongs to the buttercup family; its stem and seeds contain alkaloids that can be toxic to cattle and horses