Cathedral Lake is a stunning lake located in Aspen, Colorado. It features a moderate and well maintained trail that offers fantastic views, aspen tree groves, waterfalls, and stunning landscape views all the way to the lake.
Distance – 5.6 miles round trip (9.01 km)
Height – 11,866 feet (3622.85 m)
Elevation gain – 1,986 feet (605.33 meters)
Duration – 4 – 5 hours (book time)
Difficulty – Intermediate
Class: Class 1 Hike
Seasons – This hike can be completed in all seasons. Winter road closures will add distance to this hike.
Trailhead Location – West Willow Creek Trailhead (11,507 Feet) | Stewart Creek Trailhead (10,480)
Quick Navigation:
Routes | Trail Map | Fishing | Camping Info | Weather | Directions | Pictures
Need To Know Information
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- The final .5 miles of road off of Castle Creek Road is dirt. It is rough, but even 2wd vehicles can make it to the top if driven carefully.
- Dogs must be leashed.
- Read about the rules and regulations for camping and pets in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness here. Currently, camping is free, but a fee is proposed in the near future.
Hiking Route Options
There is only one out and back route to Cathedral Lake that is common.
Cathedral Lake Trailhead | 5.6 Miles Round Trip (9.01 km) – 1,986 Feet Elevation Gain (605.33 meters)
Hikers without low clearance vehicles may need to park on Castle Creek Road, before hiking up the .5 mile dirt road to the trailhead. Most cars should make it even though there are some rough sections. Any 4wd vehicle or high clearance vehicle will have no trouble.
Hikers begin hiking along the well marked and well traveled trail through aspens. They quickly begin ascending and are rewarded with views of Castle Creek valley through aspens within the first 10 minutes of hiking. Less than 1 mile in, hikers will find a part of the trail that leads to a small viewpoint of a waterfall in the trees. Hikers continue upwards at a steady grade where gorgeous views of the creek, nearby mountains, forest, and mountains are stunning.
About 2.3 miles in, hikers will reach the junction for Electric Pass. Hikers continue straight instead of turning right towards the pass. The hike mellows out in elevation gain, crosses a creek (easy to not get wet), and meanders through bushes before reaching the lake.
Trail Map
Camping Cathedral Lake
Dispersed camping is allowed at Cathedral Lake. Here is the language from the Forest Service site: “Each party overnighting in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is required to self-register at the Trailhead and to carry a copy of the registration with them during their visit. There is no fee charged and no limit to the number of permits issued.” You can read more on this here.
Fishing Cathedral Lake
Cathedral Lake has a very healthy population of cutthroat. This is a fantastic fishing destination with stunning fish. You will often find fly anglers on this lake..
Current Weather Conditions:
Here is the detailed weather forecast for the next few days. We highly recommend you check out the mountain forecast for this lae the morning of your hike. The link allows you to filter by specific elevation (so be sure to look at the lake elevation of about 11,000 feet).
Aspen, CO
This Afternoon
Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight
Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 23. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Snow showers before 9am, then snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Saturday Night
Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 24. West northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow showers before noon, then snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 37. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Monday
A slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain and snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.
Directions & Parking
4wd vehicles are recommended for the last half mile to the trailhead, however even 2wd vehicles without great clearance can make it if careful.
From highway 82, turn onto Castle Creek Road at the roundabout. Drive 12.2 miles and turn right (shortly after passing Ashcroft) onto a gravel road, driving 1/2 mile to the trailhead.
Directions to Cathedral Lake Trailhead:
Additional Pictures
Cutthroat Trout From Cathedral Lake, Colorado
Views along the trail
Views of Castle Creek Valley from a meadow on the way to Cathedral Lake
Peaks surrounding Cathedral Lake
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about