Pacific Tarn is a small lake located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the United States. It is notable for its 13,420 foot (4,090 m) elevation, making it the highest lake in the United States whose name is recognized by the United States Board on Geographic Names, surpassing other lakes such as Hawaii's Lake Waiau on Mauna Kea, and California's Tulainyo Lake near Mount Whitney. The lake sits atop the broad eastern ridge of Pacific Peak in the Tenmile Range. Efforts to name the lake were spearheaded by Carl Drews, a Boulder, Colorado resident who organized an expedition to the lake in 2002 to measure the size, depth and water chemistry. The lake remained unnamed until January 8, 2004, when the United States Board of Geographic Names officially approved the name Pacific Tarn for the lake. See also List of lakes in Colorado References External links Trip report detailing numerous scientific measurements taken at the lake Highest lakes in the United States Lakes of Summit County, Colorado Glacial lakes of the United States Lakes of Colorado Lakes of the Rocky Mountains