Fern Lake is popular for its generous trout stock and numerous backcountry campsites. The Little Matterhorn (11,586'), Knobtop Mountain (12,331'), Gabletop Mountain (11,939'), Castle Rock and Gable frame its heavily wooded basin. Spruce Lake is a lighltly visited fishing and camping destination located .8 miles up a rugged, unimproved trail from Fern Lake.

Fern Creek originates from steep slopes under Flattop Mountain and flows through the Tourmaline Gorge into Odessa Lake, Fern Lake and over Fern Falls

Crossing Fern Creek near the confluence of Fern Creek, Spruce Creek and Lost Brook

Fern Lake, seen here, is a very popular destination in Rocky Mountain NP

Spruce Lake is .8 miles from the Fern Lake approach, and is accessed by an unmaintained trail which can be difficult to follow in even the best conditions

Spruce Lake's southeast shore is dotted with marshy ponds

View of Spruce Lake from its southern shore