Cathedral Lake #1984

ALERT: Due to recent bear activity, bear canisters [https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3848454.pdf] are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The Cathedral Lake Trail is 2.8 miles long. It begins at County Road 15h and ends at Sec 11 at Cathedral Lake. The trail climbs for 3/4 of a mile through an aspen forest before it enters the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=81118], then begins a steeper ascent, following Pine Creek cascading through the canyon just off the trail. It levels briefly at the top of the canyon then begins another ascent through spruce forests and rockslides, deadending at a series of short, very steep switchbacks. The lake is 15 minutes from the top of the switchbacks. The trail will fork several times. Take the left forks, the right ones go to Electric Pass. The trail crosses Pine Creek on a new bridge. The lake lies just beyond the meadow on the other side of the creek.