Eccles Pass offers some panoramic views of the Eagles Nest Wilderness near Frisco, CO. I hiked up yesterday to catch the last of the wildflower show for 2020. Despite the haze from 4 wildfires burning in Colorado, it was a beautiful day and the wildflowers did not disappoint.
To reach the summit of Eccles Pass requires just over a 5 mile hike. The Meadow Creek trail just outside of Frisco provides the primary access to the pass. The trail climbs through stands of aspen for the first mile as it works it way into the wilderness. The trail junction for the short trail to Lily Pad lake appears just after the .5 mile mark. Continue straight and follow the main trail as it quickly ascends through lodgepole pine. Around the 2 mile mark, the trail crosses Meadow Creek over a small bridge and then begins an arduous ascent along a rocky trail for the next 1.25 mile. The trail levels off at this point, and the forest transitions to spruce and fir. Around the 3.5 mile mark, the trail crosses the creek over some logs and limited views through the forest appear. At just over 4 miles, you reach a small beaver pond with dead pines along its shore. A good reflection of the mountains that ring the basin can be seen here. Continue on for about .5 mile and the views begin to open up around you. Shortly, you will come to a trail junction with the Gore Range trail. The faint trail to the left proceeds down to 10 Mile Creek. Go right to ascend the pass.
This area used to contain a couple of large reflecting pools, but they are now unfortunately filled with grass. The last time I was up here, I photographed some beautiful reflections in the pools. Too bad they’re now history. The surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers so there’s still beauty to take in, thankfully.
After the steep climb to the summit of Eccles Pass, the trail drops into the valley below. There are a few small tarns and ponds as well as plenty of wildflowers to attract your eye. At this point, hikers have two options. Return the way you came or camp out in this lovely basin. Shuttle hikers can keep going over Red Buffalo Pass and will come out in East Vail. A side trip to the lovely Gore Lake is highly recommended for those doing this route.
Reflecting tarn, Meadow Creek Trail, Eagles Nest Wilderness, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Wildflowers, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Reflecting tarn, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
Reflecting tarn, near Eccles Pass, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Frisco, CO
