Details: Windsor Lake

This short, strenuous hike visits picturesque Windsor Lake, an alpine jewel cradled beneath the peaks and ridges along the Continental Divide in the Mount Massive Wilderness Area.

Trailhead to Windsor Lake

The Windsor Lake trailhead, located on the west side of the road across from the parking area (see driving directions), immediately crosses an aqueduct on a small dam. The aqueduct is channeled through the Busk Ivanhoe Tunnel, located 100-yards northwest of the trailhead. The tunnel, part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas project, carries water across the Continental Divide from Ivanhoe Lake, on the west side of the divide, to Busk Creek.

Reach the trail register a short distance past the crossing. The open hillside around the register provides nice views of the Continental Divide to the northwest and Galena Mountain to the northeast.

Beyond the register the trail starts its uphill assault, climbing a dry hillside along the north bank of the creek draining Windsor Lake. Soon the path enters the trees and the Mount Massive Wilderness. As you ascend, openings in the trees provide views of the rocky ridge defining the eastern flank of the Continental Divide.

The grade abates a bit as the trail crosses the creek draining Windsor Lake on logs and then quickly resumes the stiff climb on the other side. At 0.5 miles the path begins a very steep ascent of the hillside, gaining 440-ft. in just over 0.3 miles. Slightly before reaching the top of the hill the trail passes an old mine shaft.

At the top of the hill the trail emerges on a large meadow with a picturesque pond. Views extend west to the granite peaks and ridges along the Continental Divide. The trail stays to the left (south) of the pond, skirting the edge of the forest, and then gently climbs a rocky meadow scattered with conifers to Windsor Lake.

Windsor Lake lies cradled in a large granite basin clad in meadows littered with rock outcroppings and trees. To the west the high peaks and ridges of the Continental Divide command you attention. The rocky shoreline is a favorite with fishermen and the surrounding landscape harbors many nice campsites.

After relaxing by the lake retrace your steps down the steep trail to the trailhead.