Pomeroy Lakes

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Status:	Impassable
Typically Open:	06/15 - 10/31
Length:	2.69 miles
Highest Elevation:	12078 feet
Duration:	About 45 minutes
Shape of Trail:	Out & Back
Best Direction to Travel:	N/A
Nearest Town:	St. Elmo
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Buena Vista
Official Road Name:	FS 297
Management Agency:	San Isabel National Forest
District:	Salida Ranger District

Highlights

If you enjoy mining history, alpine fishing and camping then this trail is a must do. You will gain a glimpse of the areas mining history as you begin the trail at the old townsite of Romley. You will then pass several arial tram towers that are still standing before you reach the Mary Murphy Mine area, which offers an opportunity to explore several of the old structures that are still standing. After the mine you will continue through meadows and heavy timber before you reach the parking area at an elevation of 12,109' with a view of Lower Pomeroy Lake. Upper Pomeroy Lake is about a mile hike farther up the basin along an old road and is situated below Pomeroy Mountain (13,151').

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( MODERATE - DIFFICULT )

Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

The trail begins at Waypoint 5 of the Alpine Tunnel East Trail. Turn left onto FS 297 to Start the Pomeroy Lakes Trail.

Directions to Trailhead

To get to the Pomeroy Lakes Trailhead you must first drive to Waypoint 5 of the Alpine Tunnel East Trail. At Waypoint 5, turn left onto FS 297 to begin the Pomeroy Lakes Trail.

Camping

Dispersed

Land Use Issues

This area is part of Pike-San Isabel National Forest, and as such is part of the 2011 Lawsuit where a coalition of conservation and recreation groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service over what they say is the illegal addition of 500 miles of motorized roads and trails. A settlement was reached in late 2015 that is requiring the U.S. Forest Service to re-evaluate the roads and create a new travel management plan. Over the next year, 30 roads will be partially or completely closed while this evaluation takes place over the next 5 years. It is imperative that the OHV community let's their voices be heard on this issue. If we do nothing, those 500 miles will be shutdown. Contact the local ranger districts and let them know why the area is important to you and the history you have there. Salida Forest Service District Office Leadville Forest Service District Office

Trail Reviews (21)

Questions & Answers (3)

Q: Apart from the left trail at waypoint 8, is this trail appropriate for a stock F150 with a rear locker and new BFG KO2 tires driven by a beginner off-roader? What would the difficulty rating of the trail be if going to the right at waypoint 8? Thanks!

–Prosper Wang (07/18/2019)

–Marcus Trusty (07/19/2019)

Q: Has anyone been up the trail in June 2019?

–Camil Rykowski (06/27/2019)

–Marcus Trusty (06/28/2019)

Q: Is this trail open? Or if not, when?

–Timothy (03/29/2019)

–Marcus Trusty (03/29/2019)

Writer Information

Marcus Trusty

Mapping Crew - Colorado

Marcus is a 4th generation Buena Vista, Colorado native who grew up bouncing around the central Colorado mountains in the back of his dad's CJ5. During his younger years, Marcus grew to appreciate public lands and the recreation opportunities backroads and 4-wheel drive trails offer. Marcus has been wheeling for 20 years now and has wheeled in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California. Until a few years ago Marcus had just been a participant in the wheeling community, but he has become much more active in preserving trails and working to make sure the wheeling community has their access maintained for future generations. In 2017 Marcus helped to found Colorado Off Road Enterprise - CORE, based out of Buena Vista. CORE has worked with the Forest Service and BLM and has volunteer agreements in place with both organizations. CORE also has a Forest Service trail adoption agreement in place for Grizzly Lake, Pomeroy Lake, Hancock Lake, Hancock Pass, and Tincup Pass, Tomichi Pass, Williams Pass, Ptarmigan Lake, Mineral Basin, Clohesy Lake, Lost Canyon, Champion Mill, Iron Mike Mine, and Slide Lake. If Marcus is not working you can generally find him somewhere out on the trails around Buena Vista.

St. Elmo, Colorado (Chaffee County)