A view looking out over Shadow Mountain Reservoir.
Cattails provide critical habitat for nest waterfowl and wildlife.
Take the right fork to a parking area with toilets. The trail on the east side of the parking area goes to the south shore of Shadow Mountain Reservoir. This walk provides great views of the islands to the north and some tall peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park to the east. In the summer you may see blackbirds in the cattails, geese and ducks in the shallow bay, canoes winding through the islands and ospreys soaring overhead. Note the fire lookout tower on top of Shadow Mountain to which a five mile trail ascends. Three picnic tables provide a place to relax and eat.