By Lily Pad Lake is one of the most family-friendly hiking trails in Summit County. With easy trailhead access, gradual inclines and a beautiful lake filled with lily pads at the end of the hike, this is a trail that everyone at any age can enjoy.
There are two access points to this lake, the Lily Pad trailhead from the top of Wildernest in Silverthorne and the Meadow Creek trail from Frisco.
Lily Pad Lake Trail is 3.3 miles RT and rated as easy. I highly recommend this trail for families with small children or people who are not frequent hikers or acclimated to the high altitude. Since this is a very popular trail in the summer and during the weekends, parking can become difficult at the top of Wildernest. To avoid blocking the road or getting a ticket, I recommend parking at the public parking lot across from the Silverthorne bus station and taking the FREE bus to the trailhead. From the station, wait for the “Wildernest” bus which comes every 15 minutes past the hour. Click here for the summer bus schedule and map!
Meadow Creek Trail to Lily Pad Lake is 3.4 miles RT and rated as moderate. Although this isn’t a difficult route, it is a bit more difficult than the trailhead in Silverthorne. The elevation gain is about double the other trail, and this trail isn’t as easy to navigate with small children due to the steep inclines and loose rocks. To access this trailhead, take the exit to Frisco and turn at the second dirt road at the roundabout. Drive to the end of the road where you will find a small parking lot.
Both trails are great for a short hike, the scenery is beautiful and wildlife viewings are very likely! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!
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