Lily Pad Lake, Summit County

Lilly Pad Lake

Distance: Easy to moderate 3-3.5 miles (Out-and-Back Trail) depends on the direction you choose (see direction options bellow)
Elevation: Starts at 9,825 feet and ends at 9,917 feet (highest point 9,952 feet)
Elevation Gain: 92-ft.
Duration: It took us about 1 hour one way with two kids
Dogs: off leash until the Eagles Nest Wilderness. DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES IN THE EAGLES NEST WILDERNESS
Directions to get there. There are two options:
- From I-70 take exit 203 to Frisco and Breckenridge. You will come up to a round-about with Elk, follow to the right and take the second turn off onto the dirt road that will run parallel to I-70 West. The trailhead parking lot will be at the end of this route (this way it is about 3.5 mi)
- From I-70 take Exit 205, Silverthorne/Dillon, and travel north on HWY 9 to the first traffic light, turn left onto Wildernest Road and stay on Wildernest Road for about 4 miles, until it turns into Ryan Gulch Road. There you will pass many condos and at the top of the hill there will be a trailhead parking area on the left. There are two trailheads that leave from this parking lot, be sure to start at Lily Pad Lake Trailhead (about 3mi and I would say its EASIER then the other route)

This hike is easy and well-marked. Great for families with kids as it is relatively short with not much elevation gain (we hiked from Silverthorne/Dillon side). It starts out with some incline, but once you’re on the Lily Pad Lake trail it is not so steep.

This is very well shaded hike as it travels through a thick forest with beautiful aspens and lodgepole pine trees with multiple viewpoints looking back to Lake Dillon.

When you have reached the top you’ll find two beautiful lakes. The lower lake is bigger with fewer lily pads and the upper lake is fully covered with lily pads. The lily pads usually bloom with vibrant yellow flowers in mid-summer.