Willow Lake (Saguache County, Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow Lake |
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 Willow Lake
Location in Colorado
Willow Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Saguache County, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37°59′39″N 105°36′31″W / 37.99409°N 105.60856°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary inflows | Willow Creek |
| Primary outflows | Willow Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.26 mi (0.42 km) |
| Max. width | 0.12 mi (0.19 km) |
| Surface elevation | 11,580 ft (3,530 m) |
Willow Lake, also known as the lower Willow Creek Lake, is a beautiful alpine lake located high in the mountains of Colorado. You can find it in Saguache County, within the stunning Sangre de Cristo Range. This special lake is part of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness area, which is inside the Rio Grande National Forest.
To reach Willow Lake, adventurers use the Willow Lake Trail (trail 865). This trail starts at the South Crestone Lake Trailhead, which is east of the town of Crestone. The lake sits directly north of a mountain called Challenger Point and south of Mount Adams. Willow Creek is important to the lake because it flows both into and out of it. You can even see amazing waterfalls where Willow Creek enters and leaves the lake!
What is an Alpine Lake?
An alpine lake is a lake found at a very high elevation, usually in mountain areas. These lakes are often formed by glaciers, which are huge, slow-moving rivers of ice. As glaciers move, they carve out hollows in the land. When the glaciers melt, these hollows fill with water, creating beautiful, clear lakes like Willow Lake. Because they are so high up, alpine lakes often have very cold water.
Exploring the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
Willow Lake is located within the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. A wilderness area is a special place protected by the government. In these areas, human activity is limited to protect the natural environment. This means you won't find many roads or buildings. Instead, you'll find untouched nature, perfect for hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. The goal is to keep these places wild and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Gallery
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Willow Lake from the eastern (upstream) side
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The waterfall at the downstream side of Willow Lake
