Windsor Lake Trail

A bang-for-your-buck route, this trail is short and steep with a beautiful reward waiting at the end. For those looking for an afternoon excursion outside of Leadville, head out to this trailhead past Turquoise Lake on Hagerman Pass Rd (Forest Road 105). From the parking lot, head southwest across Busk Creek looking for the backcountry check-in. Continue south/southwest as the trail begins to climb up through the trees. There are some sections that are looser than others but manageable for most. After the steepest section, the trail tops out at a small lake, which is beautiful in its own right but only an appetizer for the main course some 80 feet above. Continue up to the next plateau where Windsor Lake sits majestically below the loose, eroding cliffs. Find a spot to sprawl out and have a picnic lunch or unpack your hammock and tent for an overnight beneath the starts.