Pomeroy Lakes - St. Elmo, CO

Pomeroy Lakes Trail Overview

• Trail Name: Pomeroy Lakes Trail (Forest Road 297)​

• Location: Near St. Elmo, west of Buena Vista, CO​

• Trail Type: Out-and-back​

• Length: Approximately 5.5 miles round trip​

• Elevation Range: Approximately 10,520 ft to 12,090 ft​Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult​

• Trail Surface: Rocky, with steep and narrow sections​

• Permitted Uses: Dirt biking, hiking, 4WD vehicles​

• Best Season: July through September​

• Land Status: San Isabel National Forest​

Trailhead Access

• Starting Point: Pomeroy Lakes Trailhead​

• Coordinates: Approximately 38.62730° N, -106.3416° W​ *Additional Info: SummitPost

• Directions: From Buena Vista, travel south on Highway 285 for 7 miles to County Road 162. Turn west at Nathrop on CR 162 and travel west for 15.5 miles to the intersection of FR 295. Travel south on FR 295 for 3 miles to the junction of FR 297. Turn left onto FR 297 and travel southeast for 2.5 miles to the parking area. *Additional Info: ​US Forest Service

• Parking: Available at the trailhead; vehicles are not permitted beyond this point.*Additional Info: ​US Forest Service

• Facilities: No restrooms or amenities at the trailhead.​

Trail Highlights

• Scenery: Ascend through alpine meadows to Lower and Upper Pomeroy Lakes, offering panoramic views of surrounding peaks and opportunities to spot wildlife such as marmots.​

• Terrain: Challenging sections with rocky surfaces, steep inclines, and narrow paths. The last 0.5 miles to the lake is rough and rocky. ​

• Points of Interest: Historic Mary Murphy Mine and boarding house, remnants of mining structures, and potential fishing spots for cutthroat and rainbow trout.

Pomeroy Lakes is a delightful trail that starts near St. Elmo. There is plenty of room for staging near the last-chance bathrooms on the way into St. Elmo (you’ll see the sign that says last chance).