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Aspen Ranger District

Quick Facts

Weller Lake Trail

Average Time:	1 - 2 Hours one way
Beginning Elevation:	9,300 Feet (2899.0 Meters)
Difficulty:	Easy
Elevation Gain:	300 Feet (93.5 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	9,600 Feet (2992.5 Meters)
Length:	.6 Miles (1 Kilometer) one way
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 127 Aspen, Independence Pass
Recommended Season:	Summer to Fall
Trail Number:	1,989
Usage:	Moderate
USGS Maps:	New York Peak

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

This is a moderate climb with fair fishing at the lake. There is limited camping (Camp stoves ONLY) at the lake. Because of the fragile alpine tundra, it's recommended that camping be below the timberline. From the parking lot, the trail immediately forks, take the right fork following the stream down valley. Cross the wooden bridge on the left then stay right. The trail follows some switchbacks to another bridge crossing just before the lake.

Directions from Aspen: Drive approximately 9 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82, just past Weller Campground. Turn right into the small unpaved parking lot.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: June through September (NOTE: You may encounter snow at high elevation Early and Late in the recommended season.) . Normal Winter Season: December through April (NOTE: The Weller Lake Trail can be used with snowshoes during the Winter months.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Winter Conditions. Beware of avalanche danger and hypothermia. Updated: 2002-12-23 14:39:00.0

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Filed By: Rita and Cody (Kansas City, KS)
Time of Day: Afternoon
Length of Time: About two hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: This is a good trail to get used to the altitude. It is not too long and it is a gradual climb through the woods. When we got to the lake, there were boulders and fallen trees blocking our access to the water. We had to climb over the huge rocks to get to the lake. Even so, we couldn't get very close to the water.
Conditions: The trail was rocky in places. Since the trail was in the woods, it was shady the all the way.
Recommended Clothing: Good sturdy shoes are recommended.