• Elk Park Trail The U.S. Forest Service has opened most trailheads for the summer season. However, there is still considerable snow around and above most of our alpine lakes, especially on north facing slopes above 10,000 feet in elevation. As points of reference, Gilpin Lake is at 10,338 feet, Mica Lake 10,428 feet, Three Island Lake 9,878 feet and Bighorn Lake 10,106. If you plan to hike the Zirkel Circle or other alpine areas in June, be prepared to hike through snow, and know that you will need to cross streams with cold, fast moving water. Friends of Wilderness sawyers and other crews are working hard to clear trails of fallen trees, but it will be weeks before they might get to the trail you plan to hike. Be prepared to climb over trees and through tree branches.