Basics
- Location:
- Southeast of Salida near Hillside
- Setting:
- Mountainous
- Length:
- 14 mile roundtrip
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time:
- 7.5 to 8.5 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 8400 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 3500 feet
- Season:
- Summer - Fall
Description
The lake sits above timberline, just below Cottonwood Peak.
Only those experienced in 4-wheel driving should attempt to drive this road to the Silver Lake Trailhead.
ATV’S , motorcycles or hiking the road is recommended vs. a full sized 4-wheel drive vehicle.
The mileage from the bottom of the 4-wheel drive road to the Silver Lake trailhead is 7 miles.
Beginning elevation (bottom of 4-wheel drive road) is 8,400 feet and Silver lake is 11,900 feet.
Beware of driving this road in springtime, there are areas that might have drifted snow and icy spots. These areas are often in places where it is difficult to turn back or back down safely. Waiting until the road is dry and clear is safer and prevents further damage to the road.
Fishing success is fair at this lake.
Details
Location:
Setting:
Length:
Difficulty:
Time:
Trailhead Elevation:
Elevation Change:
Season:
Useful Map(s):
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Hillside is 40 miles southeast of Salida on Hwy 69.
Lake Creek Road # 198, (turn west just outside of the town of Hillside) the road is dirt and in good condition for about the first 3 miles. At that point, there is a sign for the Lutheran Camp, the road then becomes steep and rocky and is only passable with a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. This road passes by Balman Reservoir and Rainbow Lake. Beyond Rainbow Lake, (if driving) extra caution should be taken as the road is narrow, rockier and becomes much more of a challenge to negotiate than the road to this point way to the end of the road).
