The Monarch Lake Trailhead is accessible from the north via Trail Ridge Road, where Bighorn Sheep are often seen

One of four tiers that comprise Cascade Falls (4.55 miles : 9,207')

Mirror Lake, located .2 miles from Crater Lake

Crater Lake is located in a deep cirque basin (10,327')

The lower elevations are dominated by lodgepole pine trees

Monarch Lake is located at the Monarch Lake Trailhead and is a popular day-use area

Past Cascade Falls the trail opens in a long valley that transitions into a sublapine forest

The trail gains a great deal of its overall elevation along the Cascade Falls section

Wildflowers last into the late summer along the Cascade Creek Trail - Asters seen here

Rushing water causes swirling designs in side pools adjacent to Arapahoe Creek

Crater Lake is a long day hike or a great backcountry camping destination

Lower Cascade Falls marks the beginning of a steep ascent up Cascade Creek

Kinnikinnick is a ubiquitous ground-cover plant whose name is derived from the native American word for 'smoking mixture'

Cascade Falls is an easy-moderate day hike with multiple spots along the trail to stop for a break

Monarch Lake features accessible tree islands which make for a unique lake experience

Lone Eagle Peak towers over Mirror Lake and also acts as an anchor peak for Crater Lake

Boulders the size of school buses can be found in high concentration along the north side of the trail in the higher elevations

The marshy inlet of Arapaho Creek in Monarch Lake is known to attract moose

The trail improvises around a dilapidated bridge at 6.95 miles

Open alpine meadows make for excellent wildlife viewing - Elk, Deer, Moose and Bear can all be found in the Crater Lake area