TRAIL END:  Section 35 T41N R9W
Elevation 12,445 at forest boundary at saddle above Hope Lake.  Joins at this point with non-maintained trail leading to South Mineral Creek

ACCESS: Take Trestle Road #626 from Highway 145 at Trout Lake.  Follow #626 for one mile to junction with Hidden Lakes Road #627.  Turn left and follow #627 for 2 and 1/2 miles to parking area and trailhead sign.

LENGTH: 3 miles or 5km; 2 1/2 miles to lake

RECOMMENDED SEASON:  June through October. Winter use not recommended due to large avalanche paths.

AMOUNT OF USE:  Heavy

DIFFICULTY:  Moderate

USGS TOPO MAP: Ophir

SUGGESTED USES: Hiking, Equestrian

CONSIDERATIONS: Hope Lake is a man-made lake which stores water for the Ames Power Plant and is used to maintain a constant water level in Trout Lake.  Snow melts late off the lake basin, often in July.  Great place to view wildflowers in August.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
From the trailhead, the trail contours to a stream crossing below Poverty Gulch, and Golden Horn and Pilot Knob peaks.  Then it traverses through conifer forest and slide paths to the base of a climb.  Gentle switchbacks climb from 11,000 feet up past timberline to Hope Lake at 11,900 feet.  During the climb, views of Trout Lake and Vermilion Peak appear.  Limited camping is available at Hope Lake.  The trail continues up the slopes to the east of the lake, climbing through spectacular wildflowers in summer, to a saddle and forest boundary.  From the saddle a trail continues down the South Mineral Creek Drainage in the San Juan National Forest.  Good views of San Miguel Peak across Hope Lake to the southwest.  This area is used in the winter for helicopter skiing, providing excellent runs to the base of the climb up to the lake.