wildernet

Blanco Ranger District

Quick Facts

Island Lake Trail (west end)

Beginning Elevation:	11,100 Feet (3460.1 Meters)
Difficulty:	More Difficult
Elevation Gain:	2,100 Feet (654.6 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	9,000 Feet (2805.5 Meters)
Length:	15 Miles (25.0 Kilometers)
Trail Number:	1,842
Usage:	Moderate

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

The west end of the Island Lake Trail begins along Trappers Lake Trail. Leaving the Trappers Lake Trail you head east on the Island Lake Trail. 1/2 mile along the trail you reach the Chinese Wall Trail junction. 1 mile further across the rolling tundra you come to the escarpment and below you lies the Island Lakes Basin with several lakes plainly in view. The "W." Mountain Trail branches off to the south just before you reach the rim. Dropping off the escarpment you wind your way to the bench below. Half mile further you come to the Deer Lake Trail junction, Upper Island Lake lies to your right. The South Derby Trail starts winding on its 2 mile journey over the ridge to Crescent Lake, 250 yards further down the trail. Lower Island Lake lies 1/2 mile below the South Derby Trail junction. The Island Lake Trail continues down Derby Creek eight miles or so to FDR 610 at Stump Park. After leaving the Island Lake Trail, the Deer Lake Trail follows a bench overlooking Island Lake and the Derby Creek drainages. Sheep Mountain forms a backdrop to Island Lake.

Directions from Meeker: Island Lake, Deer Lake and South Derby trails are located 50 miles east of Meeker. Take State Highway 13 east out of Meeker for one mile; turn right on County Road 8 for 39 miles; then turn right on Trappers Lake road for 10 miles to the Outlet Trailhead. Follow the Carhart Trail around the east side of Trappers Lake to the Trappers Lake trail. On the Trappers Lake trail go 4 miles to the head of Fraser Creek where the Island Lake trail begins. The Deer Lake trail junction and the South Derby trail junction are 2 1/2 miles down the Island Lake trail.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through November (NOTE: Always open. Beware of severe Winter conditions.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Open Updated: 2000-07-05 18:01:00.0

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking		Yes
	Hiking & Walking
	Horseback Riding		Yes

Related Activities

Carhart Trail - The Carhart Trail circles Trappers Lake close to the shore on the east and north sides providing fishing access.

Chinese Wall Trail - This trail begins near Ripple Creek Pass and leads into the Flat Tops Wilderness. The trail provides panoramic views of the White River and Williams Fork drainages and the Flat Tops Plateau.

Deer Lake Trail - This trail in the Flat Tops Wilderness, leads from the Island Lake Trail near Island Lake, past Deer Lake, to link with the Chinese Wall Trail.

South Derby Trail - Leaving the Trappers Lake Trail you head east on the Island Lake Trail. At the Chinese Lake Trail you travel the tundra until the Island Lakes Basin lies below.

Trappers Lake Trail - This trail leads from south of Trappers Lake, up Fraser Creek and up onto the Flat Tops Plateau. It continues across the Flat Tops Wilderness to Indian Camp Pass, north of Deep Lake.

W Mountain Trail - This trail travels across "W" Mountain dropping from the plateau to the Red Dirt Creek drainage.