If you're looking for a large and yet completely natural lake, then Grand Lake is the place to be in Colorado. (And be sure to take time to branch off and discover the wonder of Salmon Lake along the way, tucked deep in the forest amidst fields of impressive boulders and towering pines.) For an added challenge and extra mileage, you can even summit Longs Peak for an elevated vantage point! The water is gorgeous. 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. Immarite? You're going to want to bring your camera on these adventures. Threats of harming another And find our listings for off-road outfitters and tour companies here. Share with Us. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox. Located near Idaho Springs, St. Mary's Glacier is known for its alpine lake and, you guessed it, glacier. Nestled in those mountains behind Trout Lake sits Hope Lake. Stats: 4.6 miles, 1,012' elevation gain. With 50 square miles of golden aspens. This strenuous Sky Pond hike leads to one of the most dramatic alpine lakes in Colorado. For a real adventure, combine your lake hike in Colorado with an overnight at a yurt. 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. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Youll want to be prepared for cooler weather, even in the middle of summer. They have recently been working in that area, so check with the Forest Service for recent conditions. Winter enthusiasts can snowshoe the two to three miles up to the yurt and then onwards 2.5 miles to the lake where they can enjoy one of the most unique weekend trips from Denver. Trout Lake is a short drive from the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village towards Lizard Head Pass. There are several camping spots by the second lake if youre looking to stay overnight. Travel guides created to inspire and enable people to use their time away from the office to explore the world. . The fee is $5 per person (16 years and older), children under 16 are free. Check the weather. 5 hidden lakes in Colorado you probably never knew exsisted Alpine Lake. Island Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado, located at 12,400 feet. But beyond those details, Colorado is one of the few states where you can legally marry yourselves! 1. Lake Isabelle is one of the best winter hikes in Colorado (add about five miles round trip for the winter hike). Evans at 14,265', or you can take the trail less traveled and summit using one of the many official and unofficial routes to the top from the lake. The drive from Crested Butte to Paonia passes West Beckwith Mountain, the best spot in the state to view foliage. Make sure you have the necessary permits before setting up camp. The total hike round trip to Middle Blue Lake is 7.6 miles with 2,292 ft elevation gain. The trail itself is moderately wooded. In fact, this is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It connects the towns of Silverton and Ouray with Lake City, where it is generally considered to begin (and end). Sprague Lake is one of the most easily accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. Then, continue climbing to blue Lake at the base of Mt. Distance: 14.94 milesElevation: 2421 ftType: Out-and-back. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. Distance: Varies, hikes on the property are short, its three miles to loop the lakeElevation: nothing notable.Difficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a great family-friendly spot, however, there are day fees and other camping fees to use the area. 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. The main attraction while at the lake is the commanding Hallett Peak. Bushnell lakes sit under Bushnell Peak and SE of Stout Lakes drainage. The route shortens if you can make it up the burly 4-wheeling road. Alpine Lakes in Colorado. Reservations are no longer required until summer 2023. ppmicrosoftteams-image_24.png Enjoy Pikes Peak at your leisure on the safe, scenic Pikes Peak Highway. The mountains of southern Colorado are littered with alpine lake hikes. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are a lot of famous alpine lake hikes in Colorado to discover. Dispersed camping does take a little more planning, but the extra work will be well worth it. This glacial lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado in terms of surface area, depth, and total water volume. Above treeline, the weather can move in quickly and even on a sunny day, the air can feel quite cool. Continental Falls is a series of cascades dropping over 500 feet. The snowpack is different every year, so its tough to say when trails will be snow-free. Each of these alpine lake hikes brings you the best of the Rocky Mountains and picturesque mountain scenery of places like Leadville. This adventure takes you through a well-marked trail with fantastic mountain views. 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: 5.33 milesElevation: 1322 ftType: Out-and-back. This water adventure features beautiful cascading waterfalls among steep rocky cliffs and lush green pine trees. However, this is one gorgeous hike, especially during the wildflower season. In Colorado's lakes and streams most Cutthroats average 9 to . Follow the signs to the Pikes Peak Highway entry gate. Arizona has many unique hiking opportunities with a wide range of elevation, climate, and views. This hike also has a waterfall. Chasm Lake makes for a beautiful summer adventure. It sits at an elevation of 11,860 ft with no distinguishing trail between the lower and upper lake. From short day hikes close to the cityto multi-day backpacking tripsdeep in Rocky Mountain National Park, these adventures will take you to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Colorado. The backcountry hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes features abundant wildlife, glorious mountain backdrops, and beautiful wildflowers. This moderate hike is a great way to get the beautiful scenery of alpine lakes in Colorado without the lung-busting elevation gain. Accessing this alpine wonder is simple. 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. Also, keep in mind there are restrictions on where you can walk, so be respectful of signs and regulations. Check out this adventure for impressive views of the Mount Evans Wilderness. + Save to a List. before arriving at the lake, where goof fishing has been reported. Note that the weather can flip quite rapidly in this area, so be prepared for all the elements sun, wind, snow, and rain! Want a bit more of a challenge? The trail features colorful wildflower meadows, breathtaking views, and plenty of wildlife. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Once you arrive, you wont want to leave which is why many people consider Gore Lake one of the best backpacking trips in Colorado. Photo Credit: Jose A Feliciano Cestero (iStock). Think you need to be a hiking pro to enjoy amazing alpine lake hikes in Colorado? In winter the trail may be impossible without ice climbing gear. There are three lakes in the basin. Sprague is one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. For a brief time, in only the warmest months of the year, will you find the waters of the Green Mountain Reservoir tolerable for swimming. But if climbing a fourteener is not your bag, there's also a trail that leads to the jaw-dropping and some of the. This is a do-able day hike, but there are spots for camping if you want to stay overnight. Your email address will not be published. Editor's Note:Access to some of these lakes can vary due to a number of factors, including time of year. The hike from Bear Lake Trailhead is 3.6 miles round trip with about 740 ft elevation gain. 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. 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. The total hike round trip to Upper Blue Lake is 8 miles with 2,404 ft elevation gain. They are remote and wild, but also peaceful and pristine at the same time. In the summer, this is one of the best and easiest lake hikes in Colorado. Distance: 3.9 milesElevation: 1,062 feetDifficulty: Easy to moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Sometimes the road in is closed, which adds about a mile each way. Take a look at these butt-busting lake hikes in Colorado. The parking lot can get crowded, so plan accordingly. RELATED: Views are stunning and fish . Expect to see some seriously stunning cascading waterfalls along the way. Surrounding peaks of granite reflect off the lake's beautiful emerald green waters nestled in Rocky Mountain National Park. Technically you can swim at many alpine lakes in Colorado, but you probably dont want to. Ice Lake Trailhead is located 7 miles west of Silverton. The 14.3-mile out-and-back trail features double the wonders Mirror Lake and Crater Lake. Alpine Loop - If you look closely you can see a 44 on the trail dwarfed by the mountains. Since it's a relatively short hike, this is a great one for a family nature outing. Be Nice. Success! The trail is short and packed with beauty, about 2-miles out-and-back. Distance: 1.9 milesElevation: 807 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: There is a $5 parking fee at both parking lots for St Marys. 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. Sandbeach Lake has a wide sandy shore thats perfect for picnicking or simply sitting to take in the scenery. The hike is difficult but is worth the challenge to get to one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. Sky Pond is one of the most jaw-dropping sights to see. Please note, reservations may be required to visit the park. Definitely come prepared with a suit to take a dip. The freshwater lake is the perfect spot for boating or fishing. This robust trail near Copper travels through sculpted canyons, pine forests, and open meadows as it ascends 3 vigorous miles to a pair of pristine, Don't let this demanding 10 mile hike intimidate you, because this glistening chain of alpine lakes nestled beneath Red Peak on North Willow Creek, is an unforgettable experience everyone should enjoy. This is one of the most iconic adventures in Colorado and for good reason! Miles from Denver: 100 miles. Distance: 12.9 milesElevation: 2,919 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are allowed if on a leash and the best time to visit is between March and October. Anglers should bring fishing gear as there are plenty of opportunities to fish for trout! the most part. Temperatures are often utterly freezing, since most alpine lakes are fed by snowmelt. Distance: 2.8 miles round trip. Plan accordingly. Many of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado are alpine lakes with clear blue water. These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. Distance: 10.6 milesElevation: 2,578 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: To get to this trailhead youll want a high-clearance vehicle. Although the entire hike is 2.4 miles long, you will arrive at the lake in half a. Youll likely want to stay overnight to prolong your time in this picturesque environment, but do note that permits are required for campers. Bring your camera and pack some tasty snacks! This lake is located in the alpine layer at 11,746 ft and as you get closer to the lake it will get significantly colder and more windy. The electric, mineral-rich water beckons. Its still worth a visit, even if you arent climbing. This is a great adventure for those looking to make a short trip outside of Denver. Many of the most amazing lakeside views in the state are easily accessible for beginner hikers. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. Throughout the post youll find: Absolutely. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. Surface Area: 507 acres. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Check that the ice is fully frozen on the lake before stepping on to cross in the colder months! The breathtaking clear blue American Lake is located in Aspen, Colorado. Filled with crystal-clear water and surrounded by mind-blowing settings, these backcountry bodies of water are meant to be enjoyed. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Set in magnificent scenery, they are the focus of considerable settlement and a thriving tourist traffic, as well as of great scientific interest. This area is also an awesome place to practice mountaineering skills or go for a mid-summer ski session. Emerald Lake is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, and is reached by hiking from Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
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