Directions:

From Dillon/Silverthorne, head north on Hwy 9 to the 1st traffic light and make a left onto Wildernest Road. Follow this to the end of the road and the parking area with the Lilly Lake Trailhead.

Hike Description:

There are two ways to hike to Lilly Lake. Both are wonderful trails, especially in the fall when the aspen’s turn gold. The easiest route is from the Lilly Pad Lake Trailhead in Wildernest. The hike from Meadow Creek Trailhead is shorter, but steeper with double the elevation gain. However, in the fall, the hike from Meadow Creek is almost entirely through aspen forest, it is beautiful!

From Frisco (Meadow Creek Trailhead)

The trail begins with a steep and rocky start getting the blood pumping almost immediately. As you climb you alternate between rocky steep parts, and mellow pleasant trail. Again, almost the entire route passes through Apsen forest. There are wondeful views to the south over Lake Dillon as you climb. Half a mile or so from the trailhead, you’ll want to turn right onto the Lilly Pad Lake Trail, following the signs to Lilly Pad Lake. After about 4/10ths of a mile, cross a footbridge at the base of a double cascade waterfall. The trail then continues up for another half mile and 250 ft of elevation gain to the shores of Lilly Pad Lake.

From Wildernest (Lilly Pad Lake Trailhead)

The hike from the Lilly Lake Trailhead begins with a steep ascent of a wide dirt road overlooking the Wildernest neighborhood. At the top of the hill is the actual Lilly Pad Lake Trailhead, complete with enormous views of Dillon Lake and the mountains beyond. The trail cuts through a clear cut hillside then enters the pine forest. This part of the trail is relatively flat, but rocky. Continue along the trail, over footbridges through pines, with the occasional aspen grove. About 1/2 mile from the trailhead you’ll cross into the Eagle’s Nest Wilderness Area. Another 1/2 mile takes you to the junction with the Upper Salt Lick Trail. From this point until you near the lake, you will cross through beautiful aspen groves, amazing in the fall. As you get closer to the lake, you get a nice view looking down on the lake. The trail descends to the southern lake shore.

The lake itself is a pleasant spot to relax and take in the view of Buffalo Peak looming over the trees. This is a very popular hike, especially from the Meadow Creek Trail, and especially in the summer. Both trails are at their best in the fall, last weekend in September should be about prime. The hike is close to the tri-towns of Dillon, Silverton, and Frisco so access is pretty simple. Beer and food from Outer Range Brewery is a must!