Gilpin Lake, named for Governor William Gilpin, is one of the most popular destinations within the Mount Zirkel wilderness. It offers a 29 acre, deep, blue alpine lake of magnificent beauty and views of the nearby Sawtooth Range. Heavily shaded, the trail winds through thick forests of conifer trees, wildflower meadows and avalanche paths following Gilpin Creek most of the way up to the lake.

NOTE: This road was affected by the Routt Divide Blowdown and is not open past Coyote Park as of 06/99. Users have to park in Coyote Park and walk in two miles on the road to get to the Slavonia trailhead. Due to the popularity and easy accessibility of this trail, this area receives some of the highest use of any area in this wilderness. This trail is not suggested if you are seeking solitude. Gilpin, Gold Creek and Three Island Lake trails are the most heavily used areas on the district. If seeking solitude, please refer to trails less heavily traveled. Overuse and abuse have led to implementing special regulations in hopes for revegetation. Regulations prohibit camping within 1/4 mile of the lake. Please camp elsewhere using low impact techniques or visit Gilpin Lake on day hikes.

Once you have started up the trail, it will quickly fork; stay left to continue towards Gilpin Lake. Continuing with the 1161 trail, you will enter the Mount Zirkel Wilderness after 1.6 miles (from the trailhead). Once you reach the lake, the trail continues up and over the saddle behind the lake, dropping down to connect with the Gold Creek Lake Trail #1150. If you continue right (downhill) on the 1150 this will take you back to the Slavonia trailhead completing a 9 mile loop.

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