By:
Submission
The area near the Mirror Lake Trailhead is available for dispersed camping, and has areas suitable for picketing and high-lining horses. Provides access to the Mirror Lake Trail which passes through private property. Please remain on the trail.
From Meeker, CO take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right (east) on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 39 miles. Turn south on Trappers Lake Road #205 and follow it less than half a mile to the trailhead.
We enjoyed this trail and area. The lake was cool and refreshing after doing the lake loop. There were a good few other people doing what we were doing since it was the weekend. Well worth the trip. I highly recommend it to beat the crowds and places with permits.
Trail is shaded for most of the hike, semi-busy with families and dogs...but everyone very polite. To get to the trail head one has to drive about nine miles on gravel, wash-boarded with potholes. Just need to drive slowly. We saw a moose, mule deer, and a variety of wild flowers. Even with fellow hikers, the hike is very peaceful. I highly recommend.
Beautiful hike with little elevation change. We found it fairly easy, but much longer than we expected. The map at the trailhead makes Monarch Loop look tiny, but we spent and hour and a half including stopping for photos and pausing to let a mother and baby moose pass.
We really enjoyed the varied environments that we passed through, from dense forest to what appeared like dry riverbed. Bring sturdy shoes and rain gear, for sure. Storms pass quickly but they can be heavy.
