Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest · Colorado, Wyoming

Mandall Lakes

5.3 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 1121.1 · trail class 3 · typical grade 12-20% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, horse, bike

Trailhead Mandall Trailhead Drive there

Mandall Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Free

This seasonal trail is generally not melted off until late June/early July due to snow levels at this elevation.

*Campers should come prepared with a variety of inspect repellant as the mosquitos are exceptionally thick this year.

This trailhead serves as the access point for the Mandall Lakes Trail No. 1121 and its spur Black Mandall Trail No. 1121C.

The 5.4 mile Mandall Lakes Trail begins on the opposite side of the road from the Trailhead parking area. The trail climbs through aspen slopes and crosses in to the Flat Tops Wilderness after 1.0 mile. At this point, the trail has been re-routed to avoid a large landslide which occurred in 2001. Making its way up the valley, the trail crosses the creek several times on its way to the Mandall Lakes. These creek crossings can be problematic during high spring runoff. After 3.7 miles the Black Mandall Trail splits off. This trail provides access to nearby Black Mandall Lake. After passing the lakes, the trail crosses open meadows until it reaches Mandall Pass at mile 5.4. Look for cairn rock piles to guide you. The last section of this trail is very rocky and climbs 450’ in 1/2 mile to reach. Great views of the surrounding landscape can be seen as one climbs up towards the pass. At an elevation of 11960’ this is the end of the maintained trail, but you can access Orno Peak and the Devil’s Causeway by navigating cross-country on the old user/pack trail.

Please Note : There is no camping or campfires allowed within 100 feet of all lakes, streams, and trails.

Restrooms and water can be found nearby at Bear Lake Campground .

Restrictions <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbr/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5133586">Wilderness Information and Regulations</a>

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

All 375 trails in Medicine Bow-Routt National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.