Hike the Resthouse/Lincoln Lake Trail

While the Mt. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wonderfully private and scenic trail favored by backpackers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and skiers.

Depending on how far you want to go, you can hike the 5.3 miles from Echo Lake to Lincoln Lake, or you can shorten the trip, as I did, to Vance Creek, which is 2 miles from the trailhead. This first portion of the hike is through a healthy forest, with occasional views of Mt. Evans from outcroppings or openings in the trees.

Past Vance Creek, you will come upon a large burn area from the 1960s. The standing dead wood lends an ethereal feel to the landscape. Because it has been several decades, the new growth is now coming in nicely; also, the burn resulted in large meadows rife with wildflowers in the summer. These meadows are prime feeding ground for wildlife such as mountain goats and bighorn sheep, while moose and elk prefer the willowy areas along the creek bed.

Lincoln Lake is visible from the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, 800’ above. If you get as far as the lake, you will enjoy beautiful lake views at tree line, with Mt. Evans towering above. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as well. One of my favorite things about hiking the Mount Evans Wilderness is getting there: the drive from Evergreen to Echo Lake along Hwy. 103 is breathtakingly beautiful. You will enjoy stunning vistas before you ever leave the car.