Silas Lakes Trail

Many trails in the Winds are lengthy and remote, warranting multiple days to complete. Silas Lakes is a welcome exception, so it's commonly done as a day hike from Lander. It begins from the well-maintained Fiddlers Lake/Christina Lake trailhead, which is complete with pit toilets and a horse pen. The trail meanders gently uphill through well-managed forest terrain. You won't find any undergrowth blocking the trail, though it is laden with granite chunks of varying sizes. You'll definitely want to pay attention to your footing, but given the gentle slope of the trail, it isn't overly strenuous. Just shy of two miles from the trailhead, you'll come to the first of two forks in the trail. Going left here will take you to Christina Lake and going right will keep you on your way to Silas Lakes. Don't worry about missing a turn, as every fork is well signed by the Forest Service. Continuing on the trail, you'll eventually come to a large stream crossing (one of several on the hike). In summer and fall, when water levels are low, this crossing is as easy as making a half stride between boulders. In the spring, however, when Silas Creek is still raging with snowmelt, this crossing has the potential to be a little dicey. Eventually you'll arrive at Upper Silas Lake, a stunningly clear teal lake that lies in the shadow of Cony Mountain, one of the southernmost peaks in the Wind River Range. Not only is Upper Silas Lake a wonderful backcountry oasis, it is also a great mountain lake for fishing. If you go directly to the south shore (the first shore you come upon) of Upper Silas Lake, the hike is just over seven miles round trip. You can tack on another two miles to your entire journey by opting to visit Lower Silas Lake on the way and then also hiking to the farther north shore of Upper Silas Lake, which is where you can find great camping spots if you're making this an overnight trip. Keep in mind that the Silas Lakes are within the Popo Agie Wilderness, meaning there are extra rules and regulations about land use. While it may be tempting to camp right on the shores of Upper Silas Lake, camping within 200 feet of a body of water is prohibited within the wilderness area. Be respectful of these rules and always practice Leave No Trace. Wyoming is a very dry environment and neglected campfires too often lead to wildfires in this region. - Description by Amber McDaniel, Outdoor Project