Lake Fork Trail #2 to Sundance Pass

The route starts with a rolling, gentle climb that follows the river grade. Broadwater Lake is 3.75 miles in and makes a natural shorter destination: the round trip there is about 7.5 miles. The path is a standard ground-surface trail and shares the corridor with horseback riders. Expect the sound of the creek to be part of the walk for much of this lower section.

The Lost Lake junction is 5 miles from the trailhead; a 0.3-mile side trail reaches the lake. Keyser Brown Lake junction is at 6 miles, with a 0.6-mile side trail. These are useful turnarounds if you want a substantial hike without committing to the pass. September Morn Lake is 8 miles in on the main route, so it is a major destination in its own right, though still a long return to the road.

Past the Keyser Brown junction, the climb steepens on its way to the pass. The route reaches September Morn Lake before the final high-country stretch to Sundance Pass at 9.5 miles. At the saddle, the trail crosses into the West Fork drainage; if you are not doing a point-to-point trip with transport, turn around and retrace Lake Fork. Snow commonly delays full access to the pass until mid-July, so check current conditions before setting out. For a photo, wait for calm water at September Morn Lake and frame the reflected mountain wall with a little shoreline in front.

From US 212, turn west onto Lake Fork Road (Forest Road 2346) and continue 1.9 miles to Lake Fork Trailhead 2. The Forest Service describes ample parking, room for horse trailers, and a vault toilet. It lists hiking and horseback riding as allowed uses. No food service or other on-route facilities were found, so carry provisions for a long wilderness day. The separate Lower Lake Fork Trail #2A starts nearer the highway and adds about two miles to the #2 junction; use the Lake Fork Road trailhead for the route described here.