Lambertson Lakes Park & Open Space
Lambertson Ponds–Croke Lake, 3 lakes
7.4 mi · ▲ 413 ft · 2 hr 40 min
Lambertson Ponds–Croke Lake, 3 lakes is a 7.4-mile out-and-back in Lambertson Lakes Park & Open Space near Thornton, CO. The route passes Lambertson Ponds, Lambertson Ponds and Croke Lake. It climbs 413 ft and is mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lambertson Ponds–Croke Lake, 3 lakes
7.4 mi · ▲ 413 ft · 2 hr 40 min
Elevation 5,232–5,440 ft
Out & Back · Lambertson Lakes Park & Open Space
Trailhead: 39.88476, -104.96254
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:28 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 30 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 200 ftTurn left onto Grange Hall Creek Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Lambertson Ponds.
- 0.2 miPass Lambertson Ponds.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miPass Croke Lake.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Niver Creek Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Niver Creek-88th Avenue Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek Trail, heading SE.
- 400 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek Tributary Trail, heading E.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Thornton Park & Ride, heading E.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek Tributary Trail, heading E.
- 0.6 miReach Lambertson Ponds, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Thornton Park & Ride, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek Tributary Trail, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek Trail, heading W.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek-88th Avenue Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Niver Creek Trail, heading SE.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Grange Hall Creek Trail, heading W.
- 0.9 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading E.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading NE.
- 0.9 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 6:24 PM for the 7:28 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 30 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Sunny Acres Reservoir & Grange Hall Greenway 2.1 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Sunny Acres Reservoir & Colorado Blvd MUP via Mid-Town Trail 5.6 mi · ▲ 166 ft
- Sunny Acres Reservoir–Grange Hall Greenway, 3 sights 8.3 mi · ▲ 163 ft
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