Highland Mary Lakes

Highland Mary Lakes are a chain of lakes on a tundra bench at 12,000 feet at the head of Cunningham Gulch, southeast of Silverton in the Weminuche Wilderness, reached by a trail that climbs about 1,400 feet in 2.5 miles beside a creek through a gorge of cascades. The trailhead is at the end of a 4WD road, and the lakes are the payoff for driving it: open, quiet, and ringed by the Grenadier Range.

From the trailhead at the top of Cunningham Gulch, the trail crosses the creek and climbs steeply along it through spruce, with the creek falling through a series of cascades in a narrow gorge beside the trail. The grade is steady and the footing is rocky. The wilderness boundary is near the start.

At about 2 miles the trail breaks out of the trees onto the bench, and the first of the Highland Mary Lakes appears at about 12,000 feet, with more lakes scattered across the tundra beyond; the Forest Service measures the trail at 3 miles one way to its end among the far lakes. A loop trail connects the larger lakes and continues toward Verde Lakes and the Continental Divide Trail for a longer day. Return the same way for the 5-mile version.

From Silverton, drive northeast on County Road 2 about 4 miles to Howardsville, turn right on the Cunningham Gulch road, and follow it about 4 miles up the gulch. Passenger cars manage the lower gulch; the last mile to the trailhead is steep, rocky 4WD, and most people park below it and walk, which adds a mile each way. No fee or permit for day use. There is no toilet.

Dogs are allowed on leash in the wilderness. The steep gorge and the altitude are why this is not marked kid-friendly, though older kids who hike manage it. Carry a filter; the creek and the lakes are the water. The trailhead is above 10,800 feet. Camping on the bench is allowed under wilderness rules, 100 feet from water and no fires, and the tundra shows every tent. Silverton is 30 minutes away. The Silverton hikes page has Ice Lake Basin, the other basin everyone comes for.