Herman Gulch Trailhead: Herman Lake, Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County, Colorado
Herman Gulch Trailhead: Herman Lake
Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County
Herman Lake is located in the Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho National Forest. It lies in the open tundra of a capacious valley just below the Continental Divide. The Herman Gulch Trail, which is part of the greater Continental Divide Trail, traces Herman Gulch through luxuriant meadows to treeline, where it branches off on a well-defined path to Herman Lake. This shallow, shapely lake is colored by granite deposits eroded from mountainous walls that frame it. Visitors will enjoy good trail conditions, remarkable alpine landscapes and an excellent chance to see bighorn sheep and mountain goat in their natural habitat.
| Related Trails: | Herman Lake |
Herman Lake - a moderate day hike for people of most abilities
A rushing creek provides a perennial lifeline for the flora and fauna of Herman Gulch
Thick willows in the lower gulch are good places to look for moose
Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goat live in the rocky slopes around Herman Lake
The trail quickly rises above treeline and cuts through alpine tundra before reaching Herman Lake
Views from Herman Gulch - healthy pine trees lit up by the early morning sun
Herman Lake fills a shallow bench below the steep east slope of Pettingell Peak
A stand of 'krumholtz', meaning twisted or bent wood - and a particular feature of subarctic and subalpine tree line landscapes
The blue-green waters of Herman Lake, a popular fishing spot
A deer feeds on grass along the steep slopes of Herman Gulch
Views up valley of Herman Gulch - home to a variety of fauna including moose, bear and elk
Marmot frequent the Herman Lake area
The final approach to Herman Lake is surprisingly mild and well-groomed
Looking southeast at Mount Bethel (12,705') from a knoll above Herman Lake
The southeast shore of Herman Lake provides good terrain for an extended respite
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