Mirror Lake - 14.05 Miles Round-Trip

The Surprise Trailhead is located 25 miles northwest of Silverthorne, CO in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. It provides access to a string of subalpine lakes of varying distance and difficulty, all sought for their backcountry camping, fishing and solitude.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Mirror Lake is arguably the most challenging of the group, located 1.65 miles past the split for Upper Cataract Lake in a rugged landscape. Visitors will enjoy access to numerous lakes and deep backcountry scenery on the hike to Mirror Lake:

The Surprise Trail rises steadily through aspen-studded hillsides on a S-SE heading to the Eagles Nest Wilderness Boundary (.27 miles : 8,725'). It passes through a large aspen grove (.8 miles) to a stream and makeshift bridge (1.0 mile : 9,135'); once over it steepens beside a long, slender meadow.

Though badly marred by pine beetle, deadfall has cleared space for new growth and verdant ground cover. A steady, steep climb continues over a second creek (2.4 miles : 9,905') and moderates to the Gore Range Trail split (2.7 miles : 9,953'). Follow signs to Surprise Lake (2.9 miles : 10,044').

Surprise Lake is partially concealed by thick forest and marshy bands between the trail and north shore. Dora Mountain (12,292') reflects in this small, lily covered lake.

The trail keeps west to the Upper Cataract Trail split and veers SW into a markedly healthier forest on the hike's most pleasant stretch (3.45 miles : 10,387').

It rises gently and shifts frequently to its highest point (5.0 miles : 10,890'), then drops sharply to a large talus field at the base of Eagles Nest Peak (5.15 miles : 10,825').

The trail twists around the talus with great views of Cat Lake down to the Upper Cataract Lake split (5.35 miles : 10,725'). A short spur leads to Upper Cataract Lake (10,744'), a recommended detour.

The trail continues over Upper Cataract's outlet, a tricky crossing with a vague pickup on the other side. The Cat Lake spur is located just ahead (5.45 miles : 10,615'), a more demanding and less compelling side trip.

Here the trail tilts downhill and undulates on a frequently obstructed path to a poorly marked switchback down a rock ledge (6.35 miles : 10,712'). Maintain navigational vigilance and recollection over rock slabs leading to and past this mark.

The trail drops through a cluttered forest to Upper Cataract Creek, a voluminous body that requires careful fording (6.85 miles : 10,528'). The pickup is once again vague on the far side, however the creek - which is Mirror Lake's outlet - provides intuitive guidance in the event you lose track.

Travel moderates to the northeast shore of Mirror Lake (7.02 miles : 10,559'). Its south shore is hemmed by the steep flank of Eagles Nest Peak (13,091'), but its long, contoured north shore is fairly easy to explore. Those with time and good navigational skills will find a string of four small lakes just northwest of Mirror Lake.