Crater Lake and Lone Eagle Peak via Cascade Creek (Indian Peaks Wilderness)

Indian Peaks Wilderness, Arapaho National Forest, Sulphur Ranger District (Monarch Lake, near Granby)

Lone Eagle Peak rises above Mirror and Crater Lakes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and ProTrails calls the scene one of the most iconic settings in the wilderness. The Colorado Mountain Club calls the trip a beloved Colorado classic. From Monarch Lake near Granby, the Cascade Creek Trail runs about 7 miles past waterfalls to the lakes, where camping is limited to 12 designated sites.

Earth to Kerra notes that with only 12 sites, it’s one of the harder permits to get.

The hike

The trail starts at Monarch Lake, on the east side of Lake Granby, according to Hiking Project. Colorado Trail Explorer notes a sign-in station and pit toilets at the trailhead, and describes the first 4 miles as mostly flat before the trail climbs alongside Buchanan and Cascade Creeks.

Hiking Project describes the route: at about 1.5 miles, on the far side of Monarch Lake, stay left on the Cascade Trail to start the climb. At about 3.5 miles, stay right at the split for the Buchanan Pass Trail. Several waterfalls line Buchanan and Cascade Creeks. ProTrails mentions a stop at Cascade Falls and abundant flowers.

ProTrails says the trail makes a final push up steep switchbacks to Mirror Lake at about 7.2 miles and 10,291 feet, where Lone Eagle Peak looms over the water. Hiking Project says the trail appears to dead-end at Mirror Lake, but a singletrack on the west side leads on to Crater Lake, with views of Lone Eagle Peak and Mount Achonee.

The CMC says Mirror and Crater Lakes have 12 designated campsites. Handstands Around the World says all campsites are marked, with a map at Mirror Lake and signs on trees pointing to each one, and that you must stay in one of the 12.

The permit system is strict. The CMC and ProTrails say permits are required for overnight stays in the Indian Peaks Wilderness from June 1 to September 15. Simply Shauna says that for 2026, permits for the full season opened March 3, and nearly every weekend permit was gone within about 30 minutes. Earth to Kerra describes a separate three-day-advance release that helped them get a last-minute permit. Handstands Around the World notes that if a Crater Lake permit isn’t available, a Cascade Creek zone permit lets you camp nearby and day hike to the lakes.

ProTrails says campfires are prohibited in the Cascade Creek drainage above Cascade Falls, and that backcountry camping isn’t allowed around Monarch Lake. Colorado Trail Explorer warns that moose frequent Monarch Lake and the lakes at the top. ProTrails’ writer even spotted an otter at Crater Lake.

ProTrails puts backcountry campsite #1 on the Crater Lake Trail at about 6.85 miles and 10,153 feet, just before the final switchbacks. Earth to Kerra says Monarch Lake is about a three-hour drive from Denver International Airport. An older trip report says rangers patrol the lakes and will ticket campers who aren’t within 30 feet of a designated site.

Hiking Project says that although Crater Lake is only about 8 miles into the wilderness, the trail feels remote.

For another Colorado trip with designated campsites, see the Fern Lake and Cub Lake Loop in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Tips

Book permits the day they open. Simply Shauna says 2026 weekend permits sold out in about 30 minutes.
Have a backup zone. A Cascade Creek permit lets you camp nearby and day hike to the lakes.
Camp only at designated sites. There are 12 at Mirror and Crater Lakes.
Bring a bear canister. Sources say one is required.
No campfires above Cascade Falls.

Camping

A permit is required for overnight stays in the Indian Peaks Wilderness from June 1 to September 15, and camping at Mirror and Crater Lakes is limited to 12 designated sites. Bear canisters are required, according to trip reports. ProTrails says campfires are prohibited above Cascade Falls. Contact the Sulphur Ranger District at 970-887-4100 (per ProTrails).

Inside Intel: Earth to Kerra calls all 12 sites pretty great but says site 12 was the best, the most secluded with an unobstructed view of Lone Eagle Peak. It was taken when they arrived, so they used site 11, which they found private, sheltered from wind, and good for a hammock.

Trail facts

Distance: About 14.3 to 14.8 miles round trip
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. About 2,400 to 2,700 feet of gain.
Elevation: Mirror Lake about 10,291 feet (ProTrails)
Campsites: 12 designated sites at Mirror and Crater Lakes
Water: Creeks and lakes. Treat all water.
Permits: Required June 1 to September 15; parking reservation at Monarch Lake
Bear and food storage: Bear canister required (per trip reports)
Fires: Prohibited above Cascade Falls
Trailhead: Monarch Lake, east side of Lake Granby
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

Dinner with Lone Eagle Peak:

With campfires banned above Cascade Falls, an easy stove-cooked dinner is the plan. See which meals testers keep coming back to.

See the picks →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.