Early July 2020 My first trip to the beautiful remote Sand Creek Lakes high above the Wet Mountain Valley in Colorado was in 2017, a year of the big runoff. Not your computer? On the way youll pass three additional lakes, including the iconic Dream Lake. Another worthwhile alpine lake hike near Breckenridge is Crystal Lake, which gives the ultimate solitude and scenery double punch. Every experience in the outdoors can prove to be a learning opportunity. The trail starts off steep, dropping into a valley before running flat, then climbing steeply up again. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. Although its hard to go wrong, heres a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. Dispersed camping does take a little more planning, but the extra work will be well worth it. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. This is a do-able day hike, but there are spots for camping if you want to stay overnight. The United States Should Adopt The Allemannsretten, 5 Great Spots in Colorado for Fall Colors. 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. Spalding. From hiking around the water to fishing, boating, picnicking, and swimming . Colorado's Alpine Loop is affectionately called the " Switzerland of America" for a reason! Alpine Lakes in Colorado. If youre looking for short, sweet, and steep with incredible views, Windsor Lake near Leadville is an awesome choice. Improve this listing. The trail is about 6.8 miles round trip to Ice Lake with 2,457 ft elevation gain. Distance: 9.22 milesElevation: 2270 ftType: Out-and-back. Getting to American Lake requires a steep 6 mile round trip hike with 2,000 ft elevation gain. Sprague is one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Take in all the wondrous sights nature has to offer as you trek your way to Lake Agnes. However, the serenity of the lakes is well worth the butt-busting effort. Lush alpine scenery unfolds as you ascend the 8.1-mile out-and-back trail nestled in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton. Breathe in the fresh air and set up a hammock to enjoy the most incredible mountain and alpine lake backdrop. Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back. Please note, reservations are required to visit the park. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Marys Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. The 9.5-mile out-and-back trail located near Vail climbs nearly 3,000 feet in elevation before reaching the awe-inspiring mountain lake. Tucked under Mt Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak sits two pristine alpine lakes nestled beside the town of Twin Lakes. Cherry Creek Reservoir. #16 Yellow Stimulator (covers your basic attractors, caddis, hoppers, and strike indicator for the nymph) #16 Parachute Adams (Covers mayflys, and everything else small and floating) 6 of each should fit in a tiny container and keep you fishing for a week. The Loch is located at 10,200 ft in Rocky Mountain National Park. Start on the Glacier Gorge Trail (like you would for Sky Pond) except veer left at the fork. Another long-distance doozy, the Twin Crater Lakes hike is well-worth a backpack, unless you have hiking superpowers, in which case, it technically can be done in a day. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. The electric, mineral-rich water beckons. 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. Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. Moderate 4.6 (8765) Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Colorado will soon see moisture from what was Hurricane Nora and flash flood watches are already in effect for parts of the state. Stay awhile and enjoy the views! + Save to a List. There is nothing better than waking up and enjoying a hot cup of coffee next to a cold alpine lake. The Outbound Collective Ice Lake is a beautiful bright blue alpine lake located at 12,300 feet that requires a very strenuous hike to get to. Youll find over 2,000 alpine lakes in Colorado. This helps you beat those pesky thunderstorms and stay safe. Additionally, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife may occasionally stock non-native fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroats, common in Wyoming and Idaho, into some fisheries. Among the lakes stocked on Monday, the highest of them - Ptarmigan Lake in Gunnison County - sits at 12,306 feet. Distance: 6.8 milesElevation: 1,548 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape: Many 14er-enthusiasts camp here overnight before their summit bids. Snow and ice are melting, wildflowers are emerging, and the most beautiful lakes near Denver will soon glisten with an unrivaled beauty that beckons you to bask on their shimmering shores and recharge the natural way. In fact, almost every hike in Colorado leads to an alpine lake. About. Distance: 14.6 milesElevation: 2,373 feetDifficulty: A difficult day hike or a moderate overnight backpackRed Tape and Local Tips: Permits are required for backpacking from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 11 Alpine Lakes That Are Well Worth The Hike (And 1 Lake That You Can Drive To!) 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. To see views of Lower Blue Lake from above you need to continue hiking up the steep Blue Lakes Trial towards Middle Blue Lake. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. The fee is $5 per person (16 years and older), children under 16 are free. Explore the fantastically beautiful cirque and enjoy views of Kit Carson, The Crestones, and Humboldt Peak. Distance: 8.02 milesElevation: 2500 ftType: Out-and-back. You'll pass the ski resort and drive over into the Gothic valley, past the old mining town of Gothic. Chicago Lakes is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Evans Wilderness that has two magnificent lakes with stellar views of the foothills and of Mount Evans. Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. The trail is located near Glenwood Springs, offering the perfect post-adventure spot. The snowpack is different every year, so its tough to say when trails will be snow-free. The park boasts a wide range of activities that include summiting 14,259-foot Longs Peak, camping in the expansive backcountry, hiking to waterfalls and alpine lakes and, of course, wildlife viewing. Along the byway, you can travel through various scenery changes: start in a desert canyon and pass aspen foothills, lakes, alpine forests, lily ponds, and meadows bursting with wildflowers as you make your way to the top. This is a great adventure for those looking to make a short trip outside of Denver. The lake has an elevation of 9,905 feet at the base of Hallett's Peak, which is accessible via the famed Bear Lake trailhead. 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. Whether you make a day hike or weekend of it, these hidden, Tucked away at the intersection of two valleys in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, is the popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area, with its namesake lake resting at 10,500.' Before reaching Heart Lake, be sure to soak in the alpine views first at Rogers Lake. You can stop off at the lake and explore before driving to the summit of Mt. The Lake Haiyaha hike is accessible year-round and a great option for beginners or those looking for a gentle day and one of the best winter hikes in Colorado. UPPER & LOWER BUSHNELL LAKES. But if climbing a fourteener is not your bag, there's also a trail that leads to the jaw-dropping and some of the. Error! We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Arguably one of the most scenic backpacking routes in Colorado, Gore Lake delivers alpine beauty unlike anything else.Make your way up the challenging trail to an alpine scene that literally looks like a painting. Start from the Bear Lake parking lot and hike the gentle trail towards Lake Haiyaha, passing through the alluring Emerald Lake. Also, dont be an ass, you are not allowed to swim or climb around on the logs here. There is plenty of fishing, swimming, camping, and even small, easy hiking trails that provide plenty of family fun. The trail will end with a gorgeous view of Pitkin Lake. Distance: 4 miles in summer, 8 in winterElevation: 1,614 feet in summer, unknown to the lakeDifficulty: Easy to moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Although there is a map on AllTrails, its not entirely accurate with distances. 1. 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. Follow the signs to the Pikes Peak Highway entry gate. Whenever you hear someone talk about catching trout in the mountain lakes of the Rockies, the term that often comes up is "alpine". 5h 16m. San Juan National Forest. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. What I love about this Colorado lake hike is just how quiet it is. 1. . This popular lake is located within Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. The best lakes in Colorado often require hard hikes to get to but that also means that you can enjoy them with less people. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 42 min to complete. For the best wildflowers, do this hike in late July. If you choose to visit any one of these destinations, please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on the trail, and pack out all trash. Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. Keep it Clean. The hike to lower blue lake is 6 miles round trip with 1,610 ft elevation gain. This short 6.5-mile round-trip trail boasts picturesque alpine lakes and stunning views of Pfeifferhorn. 17. Pass by several waterfalls on your way to one of the most magnificent lakes in all of Colorado. Bear Lake is a popular lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Blue Lakes Basin is a must for explorers of the Mount Sneffels Wilderness. Maybird Lakes : Maybird Gulch is a rugged piece of the Lone Peak Wilderness in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Today, this area is thought of as a near ideal spot for relaxation and water recreation, but it used to be a vital transportation destination after gold was discovered in nearby Aspen in 1879. Willow Lake offers a backpacking adventure into the Sangre de Cristo range. By the way, the lake we hiked to was Lost Lake past Eldora.loaded with brookies but also unfortunately with groups of loud hikers and overnight campers, despite the steep uphill climb. 11. 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. Think you need to be a hiking pro to enjoy amazing alpine lake hikes in Colorado? There is a road where you can drive down next to the lakes, and a different road that you can drive up for views of the lakes. The deep blue waters of the Ice Lakes will leave you in awe. Print/PDF map. Lower and Upper Mohawk Lakes and three other unnamed lakes are all in the area. Rocky Mountain National Park is a hidden gem in the Colorado Rockies. But beyond those details, Colorado is one of the few states where you can legally marry yourselves! Keep in mind that State Forest State Park requires a fee. Take the Wheeler trail until it intersects with Crystal Creek Road. It's the state's highest peak. This picturesque adventure boasts breathtaking mountain scenery. Scope out sweet views of Mont Massive and the mighty Sawatch Range (home to 14 of Colorados tallest peaks). Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. Alpine Loop - If you look closely you can see a 44 on the trail dwarfed by the mountains. Temperatures are often utterly freezing, since most alpine lakes are fed by snowmelt. Start at the main trailhead and wander up either Crystal Creek Road (the uphill ramp on your right if youre looking at the end of the lot) or continue straight past the lot to the upper lot (about a 5-car pull out) where the road intersects the Wheeler Trail. Access: Transit to Trails is a great option for these hikes! She'd rather be dirty than done up. Lake Ann - Only accessible by way of a 1.75-mile well-maintained trail, this pristine lake is ruggedly scenic and extremely protected. Again, it depends. Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Donyanedomam (iStock). The scenery is beautiful throughout and provides many opportunities for continued exploration while at the top! Travel guides created to inspire and enable people to use their time away from the office to explore the world. Many of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado are alpine lakes with clear blue water. 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.