Drive south on Highway 84 from Pagosa Springs approximately eight miles to Blanco Basin Road (#326). After driving 10 miles, turn right across the Blanco River Bridge. Follow the Castle Creek Road (#660) to the signed junction for the Opal Lake Trailhead. Turn right here and drive a short distance to the trailhead on the right. The trail to Opal Lake is 1.2 miles and takes about 45 minutes to hike. A portion of the trail is steep before it traverses an open meadow to the lake. Groves of large aspen line the trail and several beaver dams can be seen in the area. The lake is bordered by wooded hillsides and a sheer mountain face. Minerals deposited at the inlet of the lake give it its milky color.

Opal Lake