Highlights
The Highland Mary Lakes area is unique in that it is a rather large, essentially level area with many large and smaller lakes, all of them beautiful. After a relentless climb from the trailhead along Cunningham Creek with its many cascading falls, the trail levels out and visits the lakes.
The loop going up to the Continental Divide Trail and leading over to the Verde Lakes is highly recommended. It does not require much climbing and affords new vistas. There are views into the Grenadier Range (Vestal and Arrow peaks) and you may even spot some Llamas that help pack the gear for hardy folks hiking the Continental Divide Trail.
You may have to share the beautiful expanse with huge flocks of sheep, guarded by those diligent Great Pyrenees. If you don’t make threatening moves, the dogs usually just warn you with some serious barking and, having made their point, move their flocks out of the way.
The Old Hundred Mine, on the way to the trailhead, conducts visitor tours.