White River National Forest · Colorado

Savage Lakes

1.3 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 1918 · trail class 3 · typical grade trail_grade · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, horse

Trailhead Savage Lakes #1918 Drive there

Savage Lakes #1918 the Forest Service's write-up

This short, but steep trail within Holy Cross Wilderness is in good condition. It should be noted, however, that numerous snow drifts can be expected on the trail throughout the month of June. Fishing is good for Brook and Lake Trout. Even though the trail starts out as being rather steep, the trail soon becomes one of our more moderate hikes in the area. Along one section of a rocky outcropping is a favorite spot for marmots. To visit the upper lakes, stay on the left hand side of the lake for a simple climb to the upper lakes.

View a printable trail guide (.pdf)

Restrictions <ul><li><strong>Motorized equipment</strong> and equipment used for mechanical transport is prohibited.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Savage Lakes Trail is within the Holy Cross Wilderness</strong> &amp; specific&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413515.pdf">regulations apply</a>.</li><li><b>Dogs must be leashed </b>out of consideration for other people and wildlife.</li></ul>

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in White River National Forest

All 729 trails in White River 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.