There are a total of six campsites along the route as well as at the lake. The 14.3-mile out-and-back trail features double the wonders Mirror Lake and Crater Lake. Length: 63 miles. This route is delicate, so always practice Leave No Trace when visiting. Start at Brainard Lake and make your way up the valley to Lake Isabelle where youll have views of the Isabelle Glacier a permanent snowfield. Discover the alpine beauty of Mirror Lake. There are plenty of wildlife viewing (moose, turkey, deer, ptarmigan) and fishing opportunities. Note that the weather can flip quite rapidly in this area, so be prepared for all the elements sun, wind, snow, and rain! You'll need four-wheel drive to access the campsites at Bill Moore Lake but getting there on the steep rocky roads is part of the fun! Travel guides created to inspire and enable people to use their time away from the office to explore the world. Enjoy spanning vistas of the Tenmile Range including Pacific Peak, Atlantic Peak, and Crystal Peak (all of which are excellent Colorado 13ers to try!). This hike also has a waterfall. The route shortens if you can make it up the burly 4-wheeling road. Talk about iconic Colorado views! Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Come prepared for changing weather conditions. Ive been hiking in Colorado for over 13 years. Youll get glimpses of Longs Peak and Alberta Falls (in the summer). Beware of moose in this area, they are everywhere and not afraid to charge! each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Mary's Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. Trek your way through stunning alpine country to one of the most picturesque lakes in the state Hanging Lake. Expect to see some seriously stunning cascading waterfalls along the way. This helps you beat those pesky thunderstorms and stay safe. We strive to work together to protect public lands and fight for the well-being of our future generations so they, too, may be able to experience these landscapes. Local Tip: This hike is also near some of the best free camping near Denver. The deep blue waters of the Ice Lakes will leave you in awe. Want a bit more of a challenge? Pass by Alberta Falls along this route before continuing up the trail through the gorge. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. For an invigorating day of outdoor fun, head over to these amazing, Hidden deep in the Rawah Wilderness near Fort Collins, is a secluded picturesque paradise with pristine alpine lakes and the spectacular Medicine Bow Mountains as their backdrop. Thats right, a hiking trail that features a lake and an abandoned mining town! There are other great trout reservoirs in the area, but only Spinney is a Gold Medal water. Alta Lakes whip up an alpine lake hike with a twist. The parking lot can get crowded, so plan accordingly. Hike to Chasm Lake Photo: Kyle Frost Distance: 8.02 miles Elevation: 2500 ft Type: Out-and-back The freshwater lake is the perfect spot for boating or fishing. Columbine Lake Trail #509 in San Juan National Forest is a difficult and steep trail with 16 discernible switchbacks but it's worth the effort. Every experience in the outdoors can prove to be a learning opportunity. There are three lakes in the basin. Upper Blue Lake is the third lake on Blue Lakes Trail. Print/PDF map. Bierstadt, and even Denver at times. You can hike to this lake from either Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Again, July is a popular month to hike, but we also experience a monsoon season. And find our listings for off-road outfitters and tour companies here. In terms of the best lake hikes, Colorado offers some incredibly unique lakes and the Hanging Lake hike takes the cake. In the summer, the wildflowers are quite magical. If you're looking for a secluded adventure, the Mohawk Lakes (upper and lower) are the perfect alpine escape for you. Expect to see wildlife like moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or elk along the trail, especially in the late spring and early summer. Distance: 3 milesElevation: 1,135 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: If you want a fighting chance at a less-crowded experience, go for sunrise. You'll find Continental Falls in the White River National Forest near Breckenridge. To extend your adventure, you can continue on to Isabelle Glacier. Which lake near Denver has the bluest water? Distance: 9.7 milesElevation: 1,643 feetDifficulty: Moderate to DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: If you plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, youll need to pay the $25 entrance fee. Share your suggestions or stories in the comments! 1. San Juan National Forest. This scenic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park begins at the popular Glacier Gorge trailhead, but you can avoid the crowds by heading out later in the afternoon and be rewarded by an incredible sunset. from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. The hike to this lake is an additional 0.7 miles from Lower Blue Lake but is very steep, with about 664 ft elevation gain. Nestled at 7,323 feet, the trail leading to the lake is short but relatively steep, gaining more than a thousand feet in elevation. Evans and Mt. To get to the lake, you'll pass through two lakes Dream and Nymph. When it comes to the best lake hikes in Colorado, this post has it all. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. Be Proactive. Lake Ann - Only accessible by way of a 1.75-mile well-maintained trail, this pristine lake is ruggedly scenic and extremely protected. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Make your way up the two-mile trail to the base of St. Mary's Glacier (not really a glacier, but a permanent snowfield) where there is a picture-perfect alpine lake. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. Set a check-in time and have that person try to check in with you first, before calling authorities (just in case you forget to circle back). Distance: 0.8 milesElevation: 32 feetDifficulty: Easy with accessibility rampsRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Check with the Castle Mountain Recreation Company for more up-to-date information. Go early. You even get two lakes for the price of one hike. Description. Nineteen of the 24 lakes shown in the video sit above 10,000 feet in elevation. This adventure leads you through the Holy Cross Wilderness where youll be surrounded by beautiful forests. The fastest way to get to this beautiful lake in the rocky mountains is to hike from Glacier Gorge Trailhead 5.4 miles round trip with 1,070 ft elevation gain. This truly-epic alpine lake hike is long, but worth the effort. Distance: 2.8 milesElevation: 885 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and local tips: Dogs are allowed to use this trail. Each of these alpine lake hikes brings you the best of the Rocky Mountains and picturesque mountain scenery of places like Leadville. Encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds. Photo: Nicola EasterbyDistance: 3.06 milesElevation: 1168 ftType: Out-and-back. Don't Threaten. Get to know this 6.7-mile out-and-back trail near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. The winding hike leads you past dreamy fields of wildflowers before reaching the sparkling aqua the area is known for. The trail is located near Glenwood Springs, offering the perfect post-adventure spot. The Arkansas and local streams around my home base of Salida were blown out and muddy well into July. Directions: From Colorado Springs take Hwy 24 west or, from Woodland Park take Hwy 24 east, to the Pikes Peak Highway exit in Cascade. There is nothing better than waking up and enjoying a hot cup of coffee next to a cold alpine lake. There is no shortage of beautiful lakes near Denver, and there are several with magnificently blue water. Although Gore Lake looks reasonable on paper, this is a tough hike, with much of the elevation gained in the last couple of miles. Distance: 9.1 milesElevation: 2,142 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Chicago Lakes can get pretty crowded, but there are plenty of prime backpacking sites to pitch a tent and enjoy the views! Please note, reservations may be required for visiting the park. Though one of the shorter adventures on this list, the hike to Loch Vale in Rocky National Park is surely just as rewarding as the others. Ice Lake Trailhead is located 7 miles west of Silverton. In the Fall, the Aspen grove comes alive with color, making for an especially memorable experience. Hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes, 25. Another iconic alpine lake hike in Colorado, Ice Lake brings you unbelievable brilliant blue waters. all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America's most . You must typically access these lake by hiking a few miles or by horseback. Surrounding peaks of granite reflect off the lake's beautiful emerald green waters nestled in Rocky Mountain National Park. Traverse forests of aspen and lodgepole pine and enjoy views of surrounding peaks and valleys before arriving at some of the, This 160-acre tarn resides at 12,836' at Summit Lake Park beneath Mt. Loop or Out and Back: Out and Back or Loop. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. The hike to lower blue lake is 6 miles round trip with 1,610 ft elevation gain. Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). When it comes to alpine lakes, Colorado takes the cake and there is no place on earth like Mirror Lake. Throughout the post youll find: Absolutely. Note that parking at the Brainard Lake Recreational Area lot costs $10 and fills up quickly. Embark on an adventure at Pitkin Lake. Located near Idaho Springs, St. Mary's Glacier is known for its alpine lake and, you guessed it, glacier. Lizard Head Pass Near Telluride above 10,000 feet in southwest Colorado, this pass provides staggering views of Colorado's jagged San Juan Mountains in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Fall is a great time to visit for the changing aspens, but if you love wildflowers, consider a late-spring to summer visit. This is a do-able day hike, but there are spots for camping if you want to stay overnight. In fact, alpine lakes in Colorado are so famous, nearly every mountain hike passes a pristine lake nestled in the mountains. Dont forget to turn left at the graves or youll pass right by the final push to Gore Lake! Pass by the popular Alberta Falls, but keep trekking to leave the crowds behind and find yourself in complete solitude in this vast and unbelievably beautiful wilderness. Many of Colorado's high lakes are found in roadless or wilderness areas. To see most of these incredible lakes in Colorado on one road trip, check out our Colorado Road Trip Itinerary. 2. Length: 7.9 mi Est. Distance: 7.7 milesElevation: 2,522 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. The middle and upper are said to have the best views. If you want to stay in town, choose nearby Frantz Lake in Salida or Buena Vista Town Lake in McPhelemy Park. Bear Lake is a popular lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Another difficult hike for your Colorado bucket list, Mills Lake boasts 11 miles of stunning beauty. As one of the best lake hikes in Colorado, this strenuous 12-plus mile hike is best done in two days. This adventure features several waterfalls, streams, a creek, and meadows teeming with beautiful wildflowers a photographers dream! 8 to 4 miles Round TripElevation: Depends. Maroon Lake is one of the best lakes in Colorado. You'll take the Mitchell Lake Trail, crossing Mitchell Creek and passing Mitchell Lake along the way. accounts, the history behind an article. Sundial Peak over Lake Blanche. For a real adventure, combine your lake hike in Colorado with an overnight at a yurt. Continental Falls is a series of cascades dropping over 500 feet. On July 21st, 2020, Skip, Bandit, Ezra, and I made our way from Colorado Springs, where we were visiting, up through Wyoming and Montana into Northern Idaho to visit family before heading back to Southern Idaho for work and school. 1. Island Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado, located at 12,400 feet. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Once at the lakes, you can go for a swim (so bring a suit!) . Most of these lakes are accessible by foot only, although you can also drive to quite a few of them.
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