wildernet

Sopris Ranger District

Quick Facts

Thomas Lakes Trail

Beginning Elevation:	8,500 Feet (2649.6 Meters)
Difficulty:	Easy
Elevation Gain:	1,700 Feet (529.9 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	10,200 Feet (3179.6 Meters)
Length:	3.6 Miles (6.0 Kilometers) 5.8 km
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated Maroon Bells, Redstone, Marble
Trail Number:	1,958
Usage:	Heavy
USGS Maps:	Mt. Sopris, Basalt

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Mt. Sopris from the fork of West Sopris Creek and Dinkle Lake roads.

The trail is very well maintained and in good condition. It is very heavily used on weekends, so plan your trip accordingly. There are two lakes about 1/4 mile apart with ample designated camping in between. The wilderness boundary is just before the first lake so be considerate of other users and keep pets leashed at all times. The hike is a beautiful one with many wild flowers and scenic overlooks. From Thomas Lakes you may choose to climb Mt. Sopris,which is a steep 4 miles more.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel south on Hwy. 133 for approximately 1.4 miles. Make a left turn on Prince Creek Road and go about 6 miles to the fork in the road. Take a right at the fork and follow it for 2 miles. The trailhead is 1/4 mile before Dinkle Lake.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Memorial Day Weekend through September (NOTE: Due to snow at high elevations this trail may be impassible during the Spring, Fall, and Winter months.) .

		Current Conditions & Trip Reports
		Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report Filed By: Bob Rankin (Carbondale, CO) Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: Reaching the lakes is a fantastic reward. Steady climb with no difficult parts. Very well marked Conditions: Conditions were great. September in the Rockies Water Availability: no water on the trail Recommended Clothing: it can get cold in the late afternoon Suggested Accessories: Take your fly rod although the fish are small.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking	Overnight stops are often made at Thomas Lakes to climb Mt. Sopris.	Yes
	Fishing
	Hiking & Walking	Thomas Lakes Trail	Yes

Related Activities

Hay Park Trail - Hay Park trail starts 1.5 miles up Thomas Lakes Trail and ends at Hay Park. It travels through aspens and meadows with occasional patches of spruce and fir.

Mount Sopris Trail - The hike to Mt. Sopris summit is beautiful and best attempted at a relaxing pace of two days. A great location for overnight primitive camping is Thomas Lakes at the base of the summit trail.