About Highest Lake
Highest Lake has its own place in the Gorge Lakes landscape: a hard lake at 12,438 feet. It sits on the east side of the Continental Divide.
The listed approach is 6.5 miles one-way from Forest Canyon Overlook (off-trail), but this should be treated as a route-finding objective rather than a simple maintained-trail hike. It is the highest named lake in RMNP and off-trail only. In this area, the Gorge Lakes are off-trail objectives above Forest Canyon, known more to map readers than casual park visitors.
NPS wilderness tables include Little Rock Lake in the Gorge Lakes Area, a reminder that this part of the park is treated as backcountry rather than a casual viewpoint stop.
🚫 No restroom at the Forest Canyon Overlook (off-trail) trailhead — plan accordingly. No facilities at the overlook. Nearest: Rainbow Curve or Alpine Visitor Center.
