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View Trail Map in AppThe trail is located within the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness of the White River National Forest. The following regulations apply to all visitors:
- **Mechanized Travel:** Motorized equipment and mechanized travel, including bicycles, wagons, chainsaws, and game carts, are prohibited.
- **Group Size:** Wilderness group size is limited to a maximum of 15 people and a maximum combination of 25 people and pack stock in any one group.
- **Leash Laws:** Dogs must be kept under physical restraint on a leash not exceeding six feet in length at all times.
- **Camping and Campfires:** Campsites and campfires are prohibited within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and National Forest System trails.
- **Stock Animals:** Pack and saddle animals must be hitched, tethered, or hobbled at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, creeks, or trails.
- **Feed Regulations:** To prevent the spread of invasive species, hay, straw, and whole grains are prohibited. Only certified pelletized feed and steam-rolled grains are permitted.
- **Drones:** Drones are strictly prohibited in congressionally designated wilderness areas.
- **Trail Etiquette:** Short-cutting switchbacks is prohibited to prevent soil erosion and the creation of social trails.
Path Type
Point to Point
Big things sometimes come in small packages, and the short, 1.2-mile round-trip hike to Linkins Lake near Independence Pass is no exception. The trail begins at a parking area on Highway 82 that is located on the first switchback on the west side of Independence Pass about 18 miles from Aspen. It ascends 500 feet into the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and diverges west into a glacial cirque before concluding at the shore of the high alpine lake that sits at 12,008 feet. The crystal-clear waters above tree line feature wildflowers and panoramic views of the Continental Divide to the east. The out-and-back hike can be completed in an hour, which makes it an ideal short detour for those seeking quintessential Colorado mountain views while driving over Independence Pass. The lakeas accessibility make it a popular hike, and getting there is worth breaking a sweat. As with any alpine adventure in the Rockies, it is recommended to hike earlier in the day to avoid encounters with afternoon thunderstorms. Independence Pass is closed roughly from October through May.
No Condition Reports
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Lost Man Lake
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Lost Man Trail
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Grizzly Lake
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Grizzly Ridge Out-and-Back
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Grizzly Peak and Garfield Peak
Grizzly Peak and Garfield Peak
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