Nolan Lake Trail

Nolan Lake - Photo credit: Kim Fenske

Nolan Lake Trail is in the northwestern Sawatch Range, part of the Rocky Mountains in the US state of Colorado. It is located in the Holy Cross Wilderness west of New York Mountain in Eagle County. Nolan Lake Trail is south of Interstate 70, near Eagle and Fulford, Colorado.

The Nolan Lake Trail passes mining cabin ruins before winding upward through the forest. On the 1,400 foot ascent, the trail is wrapped in rock outcroppings that channel the cascades of Nolan Creek. Wildflowers carpet the wetland areas beside the trail during July and August.

Beyond Nolan Lake, the pointed granite teeth of Craig Peak, 11,902 feet, form an amphitheater surrounding the area. From the mouth of the Nolan Lake, the Fulford area and snow-capped peaks of the Gore Range can be seen north of Eagle.

The Nolan Lake Trail continues beyond Nolan Lake and winds along the base of New York Mountain, 12,525 feet, east of Nolan Lake. On New York Mountain, more mining ruins exist high above the tree-line. From the summit of New York Mountain, Gold Dust Peak, 13,365 feet, lies to the south.

Holy Cross Wilderness Area: Northern Trails of Eagle County, a hiking guide by Kim Fenske, provides a description of Nolan Lake Trail.

References

• ASIN B004AYD70M, Holy Cross Wilderness Area: Northern Trails of Eagle County
• United States Forest Service - Nolan Lake Trail