The Lower Cataract Lake area is known for great wildflowers, beautiful lakes, a waterfall and fall colors. The aspens here put on quite a show each fall.
In the parking lot, you might get a glimpse of the waterfall in the distance and, of course, hillsides full of colorful leaves.
The trailhead has a bathroom, a sign with a map, and a sign with information about lodgepole pines.
You’ll also notice several trails — one trail goes directly to the lake, one trail goes clockwise around the lake and one trail goes counterclockwise. We chose clockwise.
Just a couple minutes down the trail and we were already hiking in the colorful aspens. Just a few steps past the Eagle's Nest Wilderness sign, you’ll pass the outflow of Lower Cataract Lake and get your first glimpse of the lake.
A few socia