American Lakes Trail

The American Lakes Trail leads deep into the heart of the Never Summer Mountains, rewarding hikers with spectacular views of the jagged Nokhu Crags and a pair of pristine alpine lakes tucked beneath permanent snowfields. Beginning near Cameron Pass at an elevation already above 10,000 feet, the trail climbs through dense Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir before emerging into open tundra where the full grandeur of this remote corner of Colorado becomes apparent. The Nokhu Crags, a dramatic row of metamorphic peaks, loom directly above the upper lakes, their reflection shimmering in the steel-blue water on calm mornings. Colorado State Forest State Park protects some of the finest moose habitat in the state, and sightings along the willowy creek drainages below the lakes are genuinely common, particularly in morning and evening hours. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of the North Park basin, one of the least visited and most ecologically rich landscapes in the state. Wildflowers in July are extraordinary, with fields of columbine, paintbrush, and bistort carpeting the transition zone between forest and tundra. The high starting elevation means altitude can affect visitors not yet acclimatized. Plan for cool temperatures even in midsummer and carry full rain gear as afternoon storms develop rapidly over the high peaks.