The trail begins just before the Fryingpan River Ranch. Please be considerate of private property. The first three miles of the trail follows the Fryingpan River and has a gentle incline. From the junction of Granite Creek to the lakes, the terrain becomes very steep. The lakes are nestled in a secluded cirque of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and provide the opportunity for solitude and beautiful scenery.