Pomeroy Lakes

This was my second trail to an alpine lake (the first was Billings Lake a couple weeks ago). This was my first solo run up a 'moderate' trail, which convinced me not to wheel solo again! lol Not particularly difficult for my Cherokee with a 6-1/2" lift on 35s, but pretty bouncy (short-arms). A few of the off-camber spots got a scream or two out of the wife. Our two dogs stayed hunkered down in the back seat and only came up for air when we stopped. The area surrounding Pomeroy Lake, itself, was really desolate and a long, but easy one-mile hike to it—don't forget anything you left in the Jeep or it's a long walk to retrieve it! The fishing wasn't much that day as everyone was fishing, not catching.

Relatively easy trail, but very rocky. You get bounced around a lot and thus not vey enjoyable for me. I ended up turning around.

Busy day fishing at the upper lake, 20 fly fishermen came in after us. Hailed the entire drive out.

Great trail with an awesome view at the top. No snow on the trail, but a few drifts in shaded areas off the trail as you reach the top.

Only went up to Mary Murphy mine but was beautiful and no snow, just runoff. Amazing buildings and a wild suspension bridge.

Hard to imagine the last review was only 11 days ago. The trail is wide open, no snow at all anywhere. I've been wheeling for a while now, and I really, really enjoyed this trail. If you fish, the lakes up top are amazing spots- well, I'm sure the upper is too, but it's still iced over. Lower lake was a nice spot to sit and fish a while. Even if you dont fish the views are amazing. Plan some time to sit and enjoy the sights up top. Saw no one else there the whole time. I went in a stock 21 Tacoma TRD Offroad- made it all the way, including over the single hill obstacle mentioned here. Hit the skid plates more than once. This was the upper limit of what I would want to do in a stock Taco, which made it fun. Might be less exciting in a highly modified rig, but the destination is worth the time either way.

Open to almost waypoint 8. Deep snow on the road.

Deep snow at the trailhead. It will be a couple weeks before you can get up the first section.

Fun run up this afternoon. Some snow on the first ascent making things interesting. Then the trail cleared off for a while. The hill at waypoint 8 presented the fun for the afternoon. The TJ couldn't make it due to the snow and loss of traction and had to winch up. The Cherokee Trailhawk KL made the snow covered hill with spotters and diff locks on. The lake is frozen over.

Ran this trail to scout a future volunteer project. Light traffic, only saw a few vehicles. Beautiful fall day, the colors are starting to turn.

I swear this trail is getting worse everytime we go up. Still a fun trail regardless.

I ran this trail in the morning and the ground was still very wet from rains that night. I can confirm that the obstacle at waypoint 8 is definitely difficult when wet like the guide says. With the mud and moisture I wasn’t able to get up the obstacle. Clearance was not a problem at all, just traction. Each attempt had me sliding right off the rocks and I didn’t want to keep trying and risk eroding the obstacle with spinning tires. So I opted for the bypass which was an obstacle itself but no problem for me. I would also agree with another reviewer who noted there is one tree very close to the road in an off camber section, shortly before waypoint 8. You’ll want to watch your roof as the trail leans you very close into that tree. The most off camber I got on this trail was 20 degrees a couple times. Not my favorite feeling so beware if you dont like that.

The trail is completely free of snow and in great shape. There is a bit of runoff water running down the middle of the trail near Mary Murphy Mine, but id does not pose any type of problem. Speaking of the mine, the buildings seem to get more dilapidated each year. The main mine building is really showing its age and looks ready to collapse at any time.

Open only for .2 miles before deep and slanted snow.

We ran Hancock Lake and Pomeray Lakes on a Monday. I didn't realize the upper Mary Murphy was closed. There was no signage and plenty of evidence of recent travel. Oops!

If you are doing Hancock Pass, you might as well do the cut off to Pomeroy Lakes as you won't be disappointed. Fairly simple ride in our Jeep and the rest that were with us.

Made a run up to the lakes to go fishing. Far rockier than I expected and there are a few sections that put you off camber tight up against trees. Nothing too hard but you have to pick your line in those tight spots. Made for a great day of wheeling and fishing.

Trail seemed a bit rougher than when I drove it in 2018. Considering it was the holiday weekend, we still saw relatively little traffic, just occasional bursts of OHV vehicles, some young folks in very nice trucks/Jeeps, and a spattering of very drunk folks. Fishing was very slow in both lakes. Still some ice on the upper lake. The Wall remains about the same as I remembered it, but the bypass is definitely tougher than it was two years ago, just by looking at it. I wonder if the heavy OHV use is resulting in more exposed/loose rocks. That's what horses do to foot trails, so maybe the same with the faster moving RZRs, etc? We camped in the large site just below The Wall, in the trees. It's a lovely site, and with afternoon thundershowers we felt less exposed there than up on top. There was a group camped practically in the lot above the lower lake, but they seemed to know what they were doing, and the views are certainly breathtaking from there. Our site was in fairly good shape, but lots of trash in the fire pit, toilet paper behind the logs, bottles just down the hill. We cleaned up what we could. Lots of shell casings laying around in there, from a variety of weapons. Love this trail, and hope it remains open for us.

The trail is open to the top and views are amazing. The trails a bit rocky and the only challenge is the wall which still isn't bad. My wife and I did have a good laugh at an Escalade who thought he could make it up. He left paint, his lip, some metal and pride behind.

still too much snow about 1/2 mile below the lower lake. Over 3-4 feet and impassible in a lifted Rubi.

I ran this Sunday and it was a great trail. The views at the top are spectacular.

The trail is fully open now. Ran it 7/13.

The trail is almost all the way open. Several avalanches came down just above the Mary Murphy Mine, but they are passable. Snow is currently blocking the last 200-300 yards. It should only be a week or two before it's fully open.

Trail was open to the Mary Murphy Mine at Waypoint 3, after this point the trail was blocked by snow.

Snow has fallen closing this trail for the season.

Trail is fully open.

Snow has closed this trail for the season.

Trails Offroad was honored to be a part of the 2017 **14er Fest** event in Buena Vista, CO. On October 1st, Trails Offroad crew members led a group of event participants to summit the Pomeroy Lakes Trail. In the days leading up to the trip, snow found a way to visit the trail prior to the off-road caravan. Despite the cold, windy, and wet weather, the trail was conquered by the group. This could be near the end of the season for this trail as winter weather sets into the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rockies.