1.6 hr
The Lower Lola Montez Trail is really a few sections of trail interspersed between longer stretches of road. Pleasantly, the first quarter-mile does start with a trail section that quickly connects to the road above. Follow the road to where the Lower Castle Creek crosses over the roadbed - which can mean wet feet in the early season.<br><br>A quarter mile farther along the road, the next portion of singletrack cuts away to the right. This section quickly becomes notably steeper as hikers wind their way up a loose and rocky slope over several stair sections. <br><br>The route returns to the road along a mellow grade. About a mile above, the road eventually fades away into singletrack near an open meadow. Just past the lower edge of the meadow is an intersection with the Hole In The Ground Trail and the Lower Lola Montez Lake Connector. Follow the connector to promptly arrive at the lake. Several campsites can be found around the lake's perimeter.