Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

Gabe Kehner

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

06/13/18

I hiked this with my wife and two buddies in September of 2015. Unfortunately we only stayed one night. I am looking to do this trail again solo, and staying multiple nights to explore more around the area. Any tips on the best route up to the ridge line?

5.0

Hayden Baker

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

06/03/18

Do any of these lakes have fish in them?

5.0

Kylar Boggs

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

09/25/17

We were the only ones on any of the campsites at both Trampas Lake and Hidden Lakes. We saw a couple bears early on trailhead but had no encounters later on. With the cooler weather the shaded areas were chilly, but we were about to find some wood that was dry enough to make a nice fire. The trail was easy to follow and straight forward. We went up early on a Sunday morning and got to the Lakes in about 2 1/2 hours and got back down the next morning in about an hour 45.

5.0

Taylor Henry

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

09/04/17

First off there are two ways to get to this trailhead, one way does REQUIRE 4 x 4 high clearance vehicles the other way it does NOT. The road from Truchas is the high clearance road (75 to 639). The road just north of Trampas is suitable for any other type of vehicle (207). The trail is heavily shaded in the morning and evening. Nice when it's hot. It's a climb with the first 3/4 gradual but the last 1/4 a bit steeper but not terrible. Dog friendly for sure but bury the waste! Plenty of campsite options all around the two lakes. There is plenty of firewood but it may be wet, seems like the area gets a lot of precip. Might bring an axe to chop up the downed trees. If you have a hammock this is the perfect place for one!

5.0

Netty Roberts

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

06/09/17

This is truly a testament to the 'land of enchantment' motto of NM. I went in mid October and was blown away but the beauty. This hike took my breath away towards the end as well because of the elevation gain but it could have been the sight of the alpine lakes. Just two other people were there, we stayed over and walked down the next day- some signs of black bears were on the trail ( tracks & scat) This hike is my favorite so far.

5.0

Hanno Rein

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

10/11/16

There seem to be two road to the trailhead, 639 and 207. I'm curious which road is the good one that Richard mentioned!

5.0

Richard White

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

09/06/16

I drove to the trail head in the late summer in a very low clearance Honda Fit with no problems, so the road is in pretty good condition now. If arriving late in the afternoon, plenty of camping is available at the trail head. There is a little footpath that runs southeast from the parking area along the river with some nice, secluded spots. The five and a half mile hike up the mountain from 9000 ft to 11400 ft is not a walk in the park if you are not used to the elevation. I drove from Oklahoma City (elevation 1200 ft) and with 35-45 lbs on my back it took me a surprising three and a half hours to get up the mountain. I'm not in superb shape, but I'm active. The hike up is beautiful with the rushing river running nearby the entire way (with a couple of crossings). On labor day weekend there was a group ahead of me and behind me and a couple campsites on the trail heading up. The lakes area is stunning. There were another three or four groups camping there, but there is plenty of areas to find your own peaceful spot. I was gassed after the hike up and never made the scramble to ridge to the northwest, but it looked the most doable. I couldn't find the spring the other reviewer, Bryan Seaton, mentioned. At least it wasn't anywhere I considered accessible (it seemed like it would be somewhere southwest of the higher lake), so I ended up having to boil the lake water. All in all, great hike, great camping area, and I'd love to go back sometime to get to the top of the ridge for what are probably incredible vistas. Going back down the next day was much easier and only took me an hour and 45 minutes.

5.0

Bryan Seaton

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

08/15/16

Great hike. Camped on the cliff side of the lake on the left(south). The hillside was alive with marmots. I've never seen so many in one place. No need for a water filter as there is a spring that feeds the lake also on the cliff side(I think it was south). As far as never getting done, Don't know about that. There were five other groups camping at the two lakes I visited. Hidden lake may have had no occupants.

4.0

Trish Wood

Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest

06/01/16

The Rockies at their finest. Thick, wet forest. Moderate hike. We went on Memorial Day with intentions to camp at the lakes however, the three feet of snow changed our plans. This is a summer hike unless you plan on getting up early enough to make it an out and back day hike before the snow softens in the afternoon.

5.0