Hardscrabble and Williams Lakes

Snowmass Village, CO

Hardscrabble and Williams Lakes

The compelling nature of high mountains most often reveals itself when the forest cloak falls away. Such is the case with Williams Lake, which rests near treeline in the crook of an arm of the rugged Elk Mountains. Hidden by subalpine forest until you step onto the lakeshore, the tarn’s stark, sun-washed, rockbound setting is the stuff that draws hikers back to the high country again and again. This is also the kind of trail that defines what hikers are made of. While not difficult, it is without doubt the most remote of the hikes in this guide, and one of the more challenging. Be prepared to spend the better part of a morning (or day, if you take your time) exploring the trail between Hardscrabble and Williams lakes.

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