Granite Lakes - 13.4 Miles Round-Trip

The Granite Lakes are located 5.95 and 6.7 miles from Mt Nast Colony Road in the Hunter - Fryingpan Wilderness. The lower lake (11,319') sits just below treeline against the west valley wall, and the upper lake (11,568') is .75 miles ahead in a more open setting at treeline.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Both lakes are relatively small but with enough space to camp and fish abundant trout stock.

The trail begins in Nast (31 miles east of Basalt) and follows the Fryingpan River 3.4 miles before turning up Granite Creek and climbing 2100' in just 3.3 miles to the lakes.

It sees light use with short sections along Granite Creek that may require route finding. Visitors will enjoy miles of river access, healthy forests and solitude on the hike to Granite Lakes:

Walk from the designated parking lot and bear left onto Mt Nast Colony Road to find the trailhead on the left. The trail begins on a level path between private homes and the river.

It runs fast to the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness Boundary (.98 miles : 9.045') and undulates along the river in a heavy forest. Stay alert across vague and shifting sections. 

The trail reaches a sparingly marked fork where social trails continue along the river and the main trail splits right into the Granite Creek drainage (3.4 miles : 9,490').

It steepens considerably to meet Granite Creek at an outcrop over a small waterfall (3.75 miles : 9,835') and keeps a challenging pace beside scenic (albeit hard to reach) cascades. 

The trail abruptly fades in a cluttered forest where cut logs indicate a designated route but little else (4.35 miles : 10,330'). Options are limited, but the intended route crosses the creek (left) at 4.55 miles, follows a short rugged stretch along the water and crosses back (right) over a small stream at 4.7 miles into a big meadow. 

Cairns lead up the right side to another stream crossing (4.83 miles : 10,575') past which travel clarifies on a steep push up the valley wall to Lower Granite Lake (5.95 miles : 11,319').

The lake is embedded in the west valley wall with open grass and level timber on the east side. There are a few particularly good campsites at the lake. The main trail moderates in a high and thinning forest to Upper Granite Lake (6.7 miles : 11,568').

This final segment can be vague (especially with snow cover) but is generally easy to follow. The upper lake is small with open grass around much of it that creates a spacious feel.