Wheeler Lakes Trail

Tenmile Range • Frisco, Colorado

moderateout and back

6.5

Miles

1,450

Elevation Gain (ft)

Hours

11,100

High Point (ft)

Overview

Wheeler Lakes are a pair of small lakes in a meadow above Copper Mountain, on the Gore Range side of the valley inside the Eagles Nest Wilderness, reached by the first 3 miles of the Gore Range Trail from the Copper Mountain exit of I-70. The climb is steady through lodgepole and aspen, the lakes sit at about 11,050 feet with the Tenmile Range across the valley, and the trail continues to Lost Lake and along the range for anyone who wants more.

Trail Highlights

Eagles Nest Wilderness

Vail Pass access

Multiple alpine lakes

Tenmile Range reflections

The Route

The Gore Range Trail begins on the north side of I-70 just east of the Copper Mountain exit and climbs at once, switchbacking through lodgepole and stands of aspen with the interstate noise fading after the first mile. The wilderness boundary sign is about 1.5 miles up. The grade eases as the trail enters open meadow and willow near 11,000 feet, and a signed spur leaves left for the lakes.

The two Wheeler Lakes are shallow and ringed by meadow, with Copper's ski runs and the Tenmile peaks across the valley and Uneva Peak above to the north. Lost Lake, a mile or so farther along the Gore Range Trail and a little higher, makes a longer day. Return the same way.

Getting to the Trailhead

Take I-70 exit 195 for Copper Mountain. The only legal parking is the small lot at the exit ramp on the north side of the highway, or the Forest Service's Scenic Overlook parking at exit 196, which is reachable only from the westbound lanes; the pullouts nearer the trail are signed no parking and ticketed. Copper Mountain's east lots are a quarter mile away across the pedestrian bridge. No fee or permit for day use, and no overnight parking at the trailhead.

Best Time to Hike

The trail melts out by mid-June and the lakes are best from July through September, with wildflowers in the meadows in July. The aspen on the lower switchbacks turn in the last week of September. The route is below treeline until the lakes, which makes it a reasonable choice on a day with storms forecast, though the meadow is open. In winter the lower trail is a snowshoe route from the same lot.

☀️summer

🍂fall

Good to Know

Dogs are allowed on leash in the wilderness, which is most of the route. The distance and the steady climb make it a better hike for older kids. Carry two liters; the lakes are the first water. Moose are common in the willows. The trail is listed under the Tenmile Range here because of where it starts; the lakes themselves are in the Gore Range. Copper Mountain has food and lodging at the trailhead, Frisco is 10 minutes east, and the Frisco and Breckenridge hikes page lists the trails across the valley.

Sources

Figures and access details on this page were checked against these pages on 2026-09-04. Conditions change; confirm with the managing agency before you go.

Who to call

Conditions, closures, permits, and anything left behind on Wheeler Lakes Trail.

Managed by: Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest
(970) 468-5400 (Silverthorne, Mon to Fri 9 to 3) · website
Lost and found, non-emergency: Summit County Sheriff's Office
(970) 668-8600 · website
Lost property can also be reported through the online form on the sheriff's site. Items found inside Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne or Dillon go to that town's police.
Emergency: 911. Cell coverage is patchy on most of these trails; a text to 911 can get through where a call cannot.

Numbers checked 2026-10-04. Colorado United is an independent guide, not the land manager; wallets, keys, and dogs found on the trail go to the offices above.