From here the trail steepens and journeys through sections of 'dead forest' towards the Chinese Wall and the Flat Tops Plateau. Looking back, you can see the lakes and reflect upon your efforts. From here the trail meanders across the tundra passing small lakes and juctions with other trails heading across the plateau. If you decide to follow this trail to its conclusion you will descend into the Routt National Forest to the shores of the Stillwater Reservoir. The first of this trail's highlighs occurs after 4.5 miles through forests and meadows as you emerge at on the ridge between the White River and Williams Fork Drainages.
Good views lead down into both.
2 miles further and 1,000ft higher you reach the top of Lost Lakes Peak for excellent panoramic views. The trail continues across alpine tundra for 5.5 miles to the Devil's Causeway - a narrow valley with high talus slopes separating two sections of the Flat Tops plateau. Big Fish Lake along a pretty valley of meadows and a waterfall, or a steeper detour to Boulder Lake lying in the shelter of cliffs of the Flat Tops. Another trail to two lakes, this short route offers a taste of the Flat Tops in the shortest time. A steep 0.75 mile introduction gets most of the elevation out of the way.