Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is the top recreation Forest in the nation. Home to world-renowned ski resorts and the birthplace of Wilderness, the White River has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast.
Mount Sopris & Thomas Lakes Backpacking
The Thomas Lakes are a pair of spectacular subalpine tarns that lie at the base of Mount Sopris. The hike to the lakes follows an old roadbed and makes a fairly easy day trip. From here, a new trail leads east to the ridgetop, where a primitive but cairn-marked route climbs to the summit of Mount Sopris. Although this mountain rises only to 12,953 feet, its isolation from other peaks lends it a sense of immensity, and the hike to the summit is as challenging as any fourteener served by a trail.
Total miles: 13.6
Elevation gain: 4,453 feet
Season: Mid-June to Mid-October
Prerequisite: Intro to Backpacking or prior backpacking experience
Moderately Strenuous to Strenuous
Details: You’ll backpack through and along alpine meadows, Aspen groves and Mountain Sage as you hike up to basecamp, along the shores of Thomas Lakes , to enjoy an evening of rest and camaraderie around a warm campfire. The following morning, you’ll climb above treeline through “The Talus Tower” to the eastern and central summit at almost 13,000’ ft. Enjoy spectacular 360 degree views of the Roaring Fork, Crystal River and Snowmass Creek Valleys. You’ll then descend the same route, back to basecamp to rest and recover for the evening. The next morning, awake at sunrise to see the eastern face of Mount Sopris lit up in all its splendor, while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee before returning to the trailhead and home.
