Lion Lake #1, Lion Lake #2, and Snowbank Lake are located in the northwest corner of the Wild Basin Area in Rocky Mountain National Park. The lakes occupy an idyllic alpine basin framed by Pilot Mountain (12,222’), Mount Alice (13,310’), and the north ridge of Mt Orton (11,724’). A maintained trail leads 6.8 miles to Lion Lake #1, beyond which a well-established and intuitively followed cross-country route continues up Trio Falls to Lion Lake #2 and Snowbank Lake.

The Lion Lake Trail gains over 1000' on a rugged path past the Thunder Lake split before leveling off in the lake basin

Lion Lake #1's inlet area, with Mount Alice in the background

Lion Lake #2 (11,413') is located .5 miles and 185' up from Lion Lake #1

The Snowbank - Lion Lakes trio form one of three major headwaters of North St Vrain Creek, the primary drainage of the Wild Basin Area

Mount Alice (13,310') from Lion Lake #'1 southeast shore

The route to Snowbank Lake provides excellent vantages over Lion Lake #2 and the entire valley below it

Cross Lion Lake's inlet to begin the cross country trek to Lion Lake #2

The south shore of Lion Lake #1

Trio Falls tumble from Lion Lake #2 and fan out into Lion Lake #1

Perennial snowfields must be scaled to reach Lion Lake #2 and Snowbank Lake

Parry's Primrose favor moist soil along streambeds; despite its beauty, the plant has an unpleasant odor, which is intensified when disturbed

You'll have to punch through dense tangles of krummholz and willow to reach Lion Lake #2's south shore

Even without an established trail, the open alpine landscape above Lion Lake is fairly easy to navigate

Looking south across Lion Lake #1 on the way up to Trio Falls

Snowbank Lake (11,523') is distinguished by rock jetties and a small island in its center

Slippery snowfields linger year-round en route to Snowbank Lake