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The first couple miles of the hike are extremely steep and difficult. You can take a dip at Sprouting Rock in a stunning turquoise oasis found just behind Hanging Lake. UPPER & LOWER BUSHNELL LAKES. Breathe in the fresh air and set up a hammock to enjoy the most incredible mountain and alpine lake backdrop. After turning on to Co. 16 (Tolland Rd.) Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. Spalding. The cherry on top is a chance at landing a fish of a lifetime. from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. It's the state's highest peak. However, with that being said, its still worth a visit to gaze upon this magical fairytale lake. To make this a longer adventure, you can keep the fun going all the way to Bear Lake. Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. 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. Not your computer? 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. If you're feeling extra adventurous, climb to the 14,433-foot summit of Mount Elbert. Mohawk Lakes Trail is one of Colorado's best day hikes. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Dispersed camping does take a little more planning, but the extra work will be well worth it. Grand Lake. The designation means Spinney is public fishing water that produces a minimum of 12 fish of 14in or more and 60lbs per acre. From hiking around the water to fishing, boating, picnicking, and swimming . Use a private browsing window to sign in. Sprague is one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. Keep in mind that State Forest State Park requires a fee. Photo: Ryan MckinneyDistance: 4.09 milesElevation: 374 ftType: Out-and-back. Extend your time at this magnificent spot and camp at one of the campsites found around both lakes. Its nine miles round trip, gaining about 1,780 feet of elevation. The picturesque lakes are tucked away near the mountains of Breckenridge. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. Sandbeach Lake has a wide sandy shore thats perfect for picnicking or simply sitting to take in the scenery. The middle and upper are said to have the best views. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. The ideal time to visit is. 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. Distance: 10.6 milesElevation: 2,578 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: To get to this trailhead youll want a high-clearance vehicle. Everyone knows about Hanging Lake, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Twin Lakes is located at the foot of the highest mountain in the entire Rocky Mountain Range along the continental divide and is also Colorados largest natural glacier lake. Related: Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Like a Local. 2. If you are actually interested in how my dogs are incredibly cared for (& my dog skijoring/ mushing ventures), you can see where they live via @mesamutts on IG - 5 acre fenced dog paradise. Travel over the off-road driving trail (either on foot or by 44) and reach the Alta Ghost Town. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Before you hit the trail, there are several important things to remember. The alpine wonder rests at an elevation of 10,630 feet located between Flattop Mountain (12,324 feet) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129 feet) ). You must typically access these lake by hiking a few miles or by horseback. that is degrading to another person. Backpack Gore Lake and catch a sunset in this unbelievable landscape. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. Colorado's Alpine Loop is affectionately called the " Switzerland of America" for a reason! No dogs are allowed in the yurt over winter. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible . Distance: 1.9 milesElevation: 160 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Maroon Lake is worth a visit year-round, including in the (much quieter) winter months. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no . You have permission to edit this collection. Whenever you hear someone talk about catching trout in the mountain lakes of the Rockies, the term that often comes up is "alpine". The 14.3-mile out-and-back trail features double the wonders Mirror Lake and Crater Lake. Since it's a relatively short hike, this is a great one for a family nature outing. If you are looking for something a little easier to get to, try James Peak Wilderness. Loop or Out and Back: Out and Back or Loop. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, but taking it easy and simply sitting back or fishing in the lake is the perfect way to slow down, unwind, and just be. 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. . To see the entire lake though, youll need to do a bit of climbing up the shore. Pass by Alberta Falls along this route before continuing up the trail through the gorge. Editor's Note:Access to some of these lakes can vary due to a number of factors, including time of year. This route is delicate, so always practice Leave No Trace when visiting. Banff Sunshine. Camping is permitted and free around Alta Lakes in Telluride with campsites littered all around the three lakes. Opt to get there early or make it an overnight to get more time. The United States Should Adopt The Allemannsretten, 5 Great Spots in Colorado for Fall Colors. There is no shortage of beautiful lakes near Denver, and there are several with magnificently blue water. Distance: 5.33 milesElevation: 1322 ftType: Out-and-back. Twin Lakes are two beautiful lakes located at the base of Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in Colorado. The total hike round trip to Middle Blue Lake is 7.6 miles with 2,292 ft elevation gain. Start on the Glacier Gorge Trail (like you would for Sky Pond) except veer left at the fork. Colorado has many picturesque lakes surrounded by high peaks. Thats right, a hiking trail that features a lake and an abandoned mining town! In the summer, the trail becomes a 44 road that you can still hike on, terminating at a parking lot. Doggies welcome. All photos (263) Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. The Alpine Loop starts with the historic high-altitude town of Ouray. There are also many opportunities for overnight backcountry adventures at one of the mountain lakes near Denver in James Peak Wilderness. And dont forget to look out for mountain goats! Although the entire hike is 2.4 miles long, you will arrive at the lake in half a. However, if you are up for a little hike, you'll discover that Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness is true to its name. Be sure to check local road conditions during the winter months, the road is unmaintained and closed, which adds an extra 3 to 4 miles each way. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. 11. Surface Area: 507 acres. Alta Lakes whip up an alpine lake hike with a twist. It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). The best lakes in Colorado often require hard hikes to get to but that also means that you can enjoy them with less people. Lakes at 12,000 feet above sea level may only offer a couple of months of fishing due to the heavy snowfall in Colorado. This ideal backpacking destination is located just minutes from the mountain town of Aspen. This is a busy area, but for good reason, the views are delicious! Check the weather. Just one valley over from Cyrstal Lake is Mohawk Lakes, another set of stunning alpine lakes in Colorado. 8 to 4 miles Round TripElevation: Depends. Youll have the added bonus of passing two additional scenic alpine lakes along the way. Length: 7.9 mi Est. The trail also features both forests and meadows budding with an abundance of wildflowers interspersed along the way. 2,568 feet max, MUCH less if starting from the Wheeler Trail.Difficulty: Moderate to easy depending on your route.Red Tape and Local Tips: Unlike many of Colorados famed high clearance roads (where you can usually get away with a small SUV), the road to the top of Crystal Lake is an ACTUAL Jeep trail. Just be sure if you ask a hiking group, you make it clear that youve already checked with good old Google. But if climbing a fourteener is not your bag, there's also a trail that leads to the jaw-dropping and some of the. Surprise Lake is also accessible from this set of trails, and all of the lakes offer the added bonus of being the perfect setting for a pristine, secluded backcountry campsite. Seriouslyover 2,000! Think again! Known for its alpine lakes, Colorado has a wide variety of trails and lake scenery to choose from. Expect to see wildlife like moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or elk along the trail, especially in the late spring and early summer. Alpine lakes are defined by being any lake that sits above 10,000 feet above sea level. Arrive early to get a spot and spend more of the day exploring! In winter the trail may be impossible without ice climbing gear. Beware of moose in this area, they are everywhere and not afraid to charge! Directions SUV recommended: From the Town of Crested Butte, take Gothic Road (Route 135) north a total of 12.6 miles. Distance: 5.24 milesElevation: 940 ftType: Out-and-back. Arizona has many unique hiking opportunities with a wide range of elevation, climate, and views. Yes. + Save to a List. Awesome views, wildlife, lakes and wild flowers await you on this lollipop loop ride. 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. Our first date was a three-day camping trip on the backroads of Colorado. If you do opt to swim, dont wear any sunscreen. While the 7.9-mile out-and-back trail is relatively easy for day hikers used to the distance, there are several campgrounds located along the shore of the lowest lake. Lowest Depth: 265 feet. With that being said, typically alpine lakes are frozen and mostly snow-free starting in July through around mid-October depending on the year. This area is also an awesome place to practice mountaineering skills or go for a mid-summer ski session. Expect to see some seriously stunning cascading waterfalls along the way. Mohawk Lakes offer plenty of picture-perfect backcountry camping or opportunities to summit nearby mountains, such as Father Dyer. Hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes, 25. Twin Lakes Discover the solitude and beauty of Twin Lakes. The hike gains more than 3,000 feet of elevation, so be prepared for a strenuous climb coached with incredible views to keep you distracted. What I love about this Colorado lake hike is just how quiet it is. Blue lake sits at 11,355 feet and is frozen for much of the year. For a real adventure, combine your lake hike in Colorado with an overnight at a yurt. Think you need to be a hiking pro to enjoy amazing alpine lake hikes in Colorado? 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! 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.' Sky Pond is one of the most jaw-dropping sights to see. If youre looking for short, sweet, and steep with incredible views, Windsor Lake near Leadville is an awesome choice. The snowpack is different every year, so its tough to say when trails will be snow-free. Another difficult hike for your Colorado bucket list, Mills Lake boasts 11 miles of stunning beauty. Although its hard to go wrong, heres a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. But once there, you can take in impressive panoramas of the valley below as well as hidden meadows, streams, and ponds. Distance: Depends. There are a lot of famous alpine lake hikes in Colorado to discover. Primarily characterized as an alpine tundra region, its total distance is approximately 65 miles and can be completed in about 7 hours (or more), typically under normal circumstances. The Outbound Collective Grand Mesa Trails ATV The Alpine Loop Length: 65 mile loop Drive Time: 5-7 hours Fees: 3-day Pass: $6.00 7-day Pass: $12.00 Annual Pass: $45.00 Or America the Beautiful Pass (National Park Pass) Difficulty: 75% Easy / 25% Difficult (rock outcroppings, drop offs) Access: Easy ATV Friendly Town: Lake City Ideal Riding Season: Mid Summer - September Bonus points if you summit one of the mountains! In the summer, the wildflowers are quite magical. Aside from craggy peaks, youll also see wildflowers springing from the ground all along the banks of the lakes during summer. Photographers will appreciate the remarkable sunrise and night shot opportunities. It's demandingthe two 12,000-foot passes (Cinnamon and Engineer) require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle but the well-prepared motorist reaps . Almost countless. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. Bierstadt Lake is a Rocky Mountain National Park gem. 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. To get to Island Lake, hike on Ice Lake Trail and after visiting Ice Lake, take a left on the trail to continue up to Island Lake. If you're looking for a secluded adventure, the Mohawk Lakes (upper and lower) are the perfect alpine escape for you. You'll find this alpine gem located near Nederland. And the fish well, they just float on down, once deployed from the airplane. Ice Lake Trailhead is located 7 miles west of Silverton. Located in the San Juan Mountains, the lake also attracts a variety of wildlife including elk and moose. Trout Lake is a short drive from the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village towards Lizard Head Pass. The total hike round trip to Upper Blue Lake is 8 miles with 2,404 ft elevation gain.