The Gorge Lakes occupy a rugged. steep-walled valley under Mt Ida (12,889') in Rocky Mountain National Park. Highest Lake, Azure Lake, Inkwell Lake, Doughnut Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Love Lake and Rock Lake drain NE through the gorge into Forest Canyon and the Big Thompson River.

Azure Lake is the second-highest lake in the gorge, and arguably the most accessible

The Mt Ida Trail quickly clears treeline and runs along and just below the spine of the Continental Divide

'Cracktop' (12,766'), Mt Julian (12,928') and Terra Tomah Mountain (12,718') form the east wall of the gorge

At around 4.25 miles - not far from the Ida summit, hikers will veer north across open tundra to the rim of the gorge and drop to Azure Lake

The Poudre Lake Trailhead is located on Milner Pass (10,759') along the Continental Divide; the 'Great Divide' separates drainages that flow into the Atlantic and Pacific oceans

View of Inkwell Lake and Terra Tomah Mountain on the descent down the gorge's west wall

A tempting off-trail alternative to the Gorge Lakes is the expansive alpine basin just east of the Divide, above Forest Canyon

Light colored portions of the trail are comprised of finely crushed granite called grus

The route drops 510' in just .3 miles off the Divide before moderating through large talus and around several small tarns to the edge of Azure Lake

A mature ram's horns can weigh over 30 lbs, measure over 30" in length and 15" in diameter

Despite its classification on some maps as an unmaintained trail, the Mt Ida Trail is very well-defined (save the final approach to the summit, where it fades in rugged talus)

Catch and release fishing is permitted in the Gorge Lakes - reports suggest fishing is quite good in these lightly used lakes

About 80% of the trail and route to Azure Lake runs above treeline; hikers should pay close attention to weather, as there is virtually no cover much of the way