If you are already hiking Blue Lakes Trail and made it to Lower Blue Lake, it is worth continuing up to Middle Blue Lake. This adventure leads you through the Holy Cross Wilderness where youll be surrounded by beautiful forests. Connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, Trail Ridge Road traverses Rocky Mountain National Park, making this one of the most scenic mountain passes in Colorado. Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? Dog-Friendly: Bloods Lake - No, Lake Lackawaxen - Yes. Lower and Upper Mohawk Lakes and three other unnamed lakes are all in the area. Most of these lakes are accessible by foot only, although you can also drive to quite a few of them. Camp at Twin Lakes White Star Campground. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. You have permission to edit this collection. Alpine Loop drive takes 4-6 hours to cover the distance between Ouray, Lake City, and Silverton. For a real adventure, combine your lake hike in Colorado with an overnight at a yurt. Description. Travel guides created to inspire and enable people to use their time away from the office to explore the world. Camping here is sure to be an awe-filled experience. Once at the lakes, you can go for a swim (so bring a suit!) This lake is known for the reflection you can see in the lake of 14,000 ft tall Maroon Peaks. Another difficult hike for your Colorado bucket list, Mills Lake boasts 11 miles of stunning beauty. Bear Lake is a popular lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Though close in proximity to Maroon Lake, Crater Lake is a less crowded destination, yet still unbelievably scenic. Share with Us. The hike to lower blue lake is 6 miles round trip with 1,610 ft elevation gain. Pass by Alberta Falls along this route before continuing up the trail through the gorge. Upper Blue Lake is the third lake on Blue Lakes Trail. My anticipation grows with each new day, as the sun burns hotter, longer, and stronger, thawing the lakes and tundra of the high country and promising a summer filled with days spent in the wilds. Since the trail to get to Ice Lake is steep and long you should make sure to wear hiking boots. Everyone knows about Hanging Lake, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. Some of them thought all of us had hiked into the wilderness to hear their death metal on the boombox at the lake all day. The trail is located near Glenwood Springs, offering the perfect post-adventure spot. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. . . If you're up for the challenge, Kit Carson and Challenger Point can also be accessed along this trail. racist or sexually-oriented language. But what if I told you we havent been given access to over half of whats really out there? Dogs are welcome but keep them leashed, Im not kidding about the moose! Hike to the base of several Colorado 14ers at South Colony Lakes and enjoy one of the best hikes in Colorado. Use a private browsing window to sign in. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. Hike to Chasm Lake Photo: Kyle Frost Distance: 8.02 miles Elevation: 2500 ft Type: Out-and-back Definitely come prepared with a suit to take a dip. Distance: 3.77 milesElevation: 722 ftType: Out-and-back. Adventurous hikers can continue up the glacier just be sure to bring some traction and maybe a hiking pole or two. Distance: 3.6 milesElevation: 846 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Above treeline, the weather can move in quickly and even on a sunny day, the air can feel quite cool. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. Blue Lakes Trail in Colorado is an easy daytime hike that features expansive alpine landscapes and brilliant turquoise waters. The Ute Indian tribe long inhabited this area before they were replaced by miners in the 1800s, who came in search of silver, gold, lead, and zinc. For the ultimate sunrise with majestic mountain peaks as the backdrop, this is just the right adventure. Distance: 6.5 milesElevation: 1,804 feetDifficulty: moderate to difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This trail gets insanely busy in the summer, so start early. This trail is popular and can get very crowded, so try to hike it either really early or much later in the day. However, with that being said, its still worth a visit to gaze upon this magical fairytale lake. San Juan National Forest. Directions: From Colorado Springs take Hwy 24 west or, from Woodland Park take Hwy 24 east, to the Pikes Peak Highway exit in Cascade. With so many lake hikes, Colorado will have your hiking itinerary booked for years! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Use the 'Report' link on You'll pass the ski resort and drive over into the Gothic valley, past the old mining town of Gothic. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Distance: 2.8 milesElevation: 885 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and local tips: Dogs are allowed to use this trail. This portion of the trail is very steep and scary so you have to be very careful and make sure to wear hiking boots and use trekking poles. It even has a wheelchair-friendly trail, making it an ideal choice for those who may need a little extra encouragement to hit the trail. If you are a fan of high alpine lakes without having to travel far . The hike from Bear Lake Trailhead is 3.6 miles round trip with about 740 ft elevation gain. Take a Scenic Drive Through Rocky Mountain National Park If youre lucky, youll get a perfect reflection of these towering peaks against the lake. What does 2023 look like for gray wolf reintroduction? Distance: 10.6 milesElevation: 2,578 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: To get to this trailhead youll want a high-clearance vehicle. There is nothing better than waking up and enjoying a hot cup of coffee next to a cold alpine lake. Alta Lakes whip up an alpine lake hike with a twist. Plan accordingly. Lake Helene is another great option for explorers of Rocky Mountain National Park. 10 Remarkable Trails Near Denver To Add To Your Summer Bucket List, 10 Destinations Everyone In Denver Needs to Visit This Summer, Everyone In Denver Must Visit This Epic Hot Spring As Soon As Possible, This Swimming Spot Has The Clearest, Most Pristine Water Near Denver, 16 Unforgettable Things You Must Add To Your Denver Summer Bucket List, 10 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit Around Denver This Summer, 7 Of The Best Beaches Around Denver To Visit This Summer, These 11 Epic Wildflower Hikes Around Denver Are Completely Out Of This World. 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). What I love about this Colorado lake hike is just how quiet it is. It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). And dont forget to look out for mountain goats! This truly-epic alpine lake hike is long, but worth the effort. Arrive early to get a spot and spend more of the day exploring! the most part. The lakes are also great fishing destinations, so be sure to pack a rod and some tackle along with your tent for a surreal nature getaway. accounts, the history behind an article. Its always important to pack the Ten Essentials in a small backpack. Loop or Out and Back: Out and Back or Loop. Dogs welcome. Note that this hike does require permits, so be sure to reserve yours in advance to enjoy this fun summertime waterfall adventure! 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. This is the most beautiful lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, and can be combined with Bear Lake and Emerald Lake. Distance: 7.7 milesElevation: 2,522 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Here you'll find a campground, cabins, and dispersed camping. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. Another iconic alpine lake hike in Colorado, Ice Lake brings you unbelievable brilliant blue waters. 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. Distance: 10.5 milesElevation: 2,975 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Parking is limited so consider taking the free bus from the Vail Village parking structure to the trailhead. There are a lot of famous alpine lake hikes in Colorado to discover. Not your computer? Anglers should bring fishing gear as there are plenty of opportunities to fish for trout! Not so much an alpine lake hike as it is a recreation hot spot, Wellington Lake is an awesome place to explore earlier in the season before the alpine lakes in Colorado are thawed. While "alpine" is used by many anglers to describe the high elevation fisheries they visit that are inaccessible for of the year and may require a difficult drive and/or hike to access, not all high elevation fisheries are truly "alpine". An alternative to driving on your own is toreserve a spoton the RFTA shuttle from Aspen Highlands Village to Maroon Bells. We can easily drive 30 minutes into high elevation aspen forests & alpine lakes when desired. Pass by several waterfalls on your way to one of the most magnificent lakes in all of Colorado. Grand Mesa Trails In the Fall, the Aspen grove comes alive with color, making for an especially memorable experience. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. "With an ample forage base such as scuds, crayfish, terrestrials, aquatic insects these fish can live 10 plus years and grow to very . from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. At these lakes you can canoe, kayak, and paddle board. Many of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado are alpine lakes with clear blue water. Trout Lake is a short drive from the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village towards Lizard Head Pass. Its nine miles round trip, gaining about 1,780 feet of elevation. Ice Lake Trailhead is located 7 miles west of Silverton. Youll want to be prepared for cooler weather, even in the middle of summer. The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Rocky Mountain National Park is just under a two-hour drive from Denver and an hour's drive from Boulder. You'd better allow 7 hours to fully enjoy the scenic beauty, however. On the way youll pass three additional lakes, including the iconic Dream Lake. After turning on to Co. 16 (Tolland Rd.) Gore Lake. Moderate 4.6 (8765) Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Colorado's Alpine Loop is affectionately called the " Switzerland of America" for a reason! There are hiking trails near the lakes with great views of the lakes and surrounding mountains. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. If you're feeling extra adventurous, climb to the 14,433-foot summit of Mount Elbert. Mount Evans is a 14er that boasts fantastic views of the lake, Mt. You even get two lakes for the price of one hike. Be Proactive. Again, it depends. However, in the winter months, some of the roads to various trailheads arent maintained, and this may add a substantial amount of snowy hiking to your journey. Driving time: 4 to 6 hours. The middle and upper are said to have the best views. And located in the saddle of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, Tyndall Glacier (one of five active glaciers in the park) offers breathtaking views. You'll find San Cristobal incredibly stunning. If you do this hike in the winter, youll experience different scenery, but surely just as stunning. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. Be sure to bring your camera and a snack to enjoy at the lake, its really that unbelievable. It lies at treeline in a spectacular alpine valley framed by Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni peaks. High-clearance vehicles are best suited for getting to this scenic secluded spot. Photo by Kyle Jenkins. The Sangre de Cristo mountains offer tranquil scenery without the hustle and bustle of the weekend warrior crowd near Denver. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Sculpted by the forces of volcanoes, glaciers, wind, and rain, the resulting mountains, valleys, streams, and lakes are a masterpiece of nature's artistry. You will definitely want to wear hiking boots and bring trekking poles for this part of the trail. These lakes are next to Independence Pass, a road that takes you to Aspen. The water is gorgeous. Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back.
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