The Surprise Trailhead is located 25 miles northwest of Silverthorne, CO in the White River National Forest. Tipperary Lake is one of six lakes accessible in a day from this well-plotted trail network in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. It fills a large, marshy basin along Cataract Creek. Visitors will enjoy sensational wildflowers, diverse forests, and good backcountry camping and fishing at Tipperary Lake.

Red Columbine grow along the trail to Surprise and Tipperary Lakes

The spring thaw swells Cataract Creek at the Surprise Trailhead

Mountain sunflowers flourish in the Surprise Lake area

Wildflowers form bands of color on the grassy hillsides between Surprise and Tipperary Lakes

Tipperary Lake - a popular camping and fishing destination from the Surprise Trailhead

The hike to Tipperary Lake showcases a diversity of Colorado wildflowers like this Mariposa Lily

Floating lily pads in Surprise Lake

Wildflowers fill the open hillsides adjacent to the trail

Despite beetle kill damage to the canopy, the trail is lined by a verdant understory

Surprise Lake - 2.9 miles from the Surprise Trailhead

A stand of young Aspens reaches for the sky near Tipperary Lake

The pine beetle has affected large swaths of the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, encumbering trails in many places

Colorful primrose can be found along the trail before Surprise Lake

Tipperary Lake is surrounded by wildflower-filled marsh areas

The marshy shores of Tipperary Lake

Wild Blue Flax grows in trail's lower elevations

Blue Columbine grow in bunches and are found throughout the hike

Surprise Lake

Asters are just one of many floral species in the Surprise Lake area

Aspen are prevalent on the first mile before giving way to lodgepole, spruce, and fir at higher elevations