Willow Lakes and Salmon Lake are located west of Silverthorne CO in the Eagles Nest Wilderness. The Willow Lake cluster includes three lakes and several large ponds in a remote valley of the Gore Range. Nearby Salmon Lake occupies a narrow bowl tightly hemmed by moraines churned from the slopes of Rain Peak (13,130') and East Thorn (13,333').

The Willow Lakes form the headwaters of North Willow Creek, which joins Middle and South Willow creeks and drains into the Blue River near Silverthorne

Social trails fan through the Willow Lakes cluster to campsites with great views and privacy

The largest of several ponds in the Willow Lakes cluster

Salmon Lake fills a rocky basin with portions that are difficult to navigate

Willow Lake No. 2 is a large alpine lake with an small and unusual peninsula

Moose can run 35 miles per hour and measure six feet high at their shoulder

Upper Willow Lake

Late summer mushrooms grow in dark forests leading to the lakes

Small openings on the west side of Salmon Lake provide views that include Greys and Torreys peaks

Watch for signs of Mountain Goat whose fur gets stuck in krumholtz

Amanita muscaria, one of many mushroom species found on the trail

Glacier ground rock creates a greenish hue in Upper Willow Lake

The outlet of Upper Willow Lake

Blown down trees reveal massive root structures which become homes for small animals

Mountain ash's branches and berries had multiple medicinal applications for native peoples