Mormon Lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area

The hike to Lyle and Mormon lakes is one of our favorites.  Previously we did it as a day hike, but this time we camped at Lyle Lake, allowing us to photograph both lakes in the morning.

Lyle and Mormon lakes are in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area of Colorado.  The trailhead is on the road to Hagerman Pass, in the Fryingpan River valley.

Lower Savage Lake, Holy Cross Wilderness Area

Savage Lakes are in the Holy Cross Wilderness area.  The trailhead is east of Ruedi Reservoir, in the Fryingpan Valley.

If you go, consider the Savage-Carter loop.  Though not "an inventoried trail," there is a way down from Carter Lake, so you don't need to backtrack.

The trailhead to Savage Lakes is near the end of a dirt road that branches off to your left as you head up the Fryingpan River valley east of Thomasville.

hidden falls

I call this the "hidden waterfall" because it's relatively unknown to most people in the area.  I lived here for eight years before exploring a trail by which I drove almost daily.  It's also a seasonal waterfall, fed by spring melt-off, and flows just a few weeks each year.  It's hard to capture in a photo, but that tiny sliver of water at the top of the frame is nearly a hundred feet above me.