This ideal backpacking destination is located just minutes from the mountain town of Aspen. Alpine Loop - If you look closely you can see a 44 on the trail dwarfed by the mountains. If youre lucky, youll get a perfect reflection of these towering peaks against the lake. Articles by Heather Brinkman's Profile | Daily Camera, Longmont Times 30 Alpine Lakes You Should Visit This Summer | Outdoor Project Throughout the years Ive hiked well over 1,000 miles of terrain here in Colorado. RELATED: Views are stunning and fish . North Slope Recreation Area | Colorado Springs To make this a longer adventure, you can keep the fun going all the way to Bear Lake. Photo Credit: MBPROJEKT_Maciej_Bledowski (iStock). Distance: 8.12 milesElevation: 2037 ftType: Out-and-back. Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. The lake is an additional 2-ish miles from the parking area. If you are up for the challenge Island Lake is worth the visit! Give them instructions about who to call if they dont hear from you. 10 Scenic Mountain Passes in Colorado - Uncover Colorado To see most of these incredible lakes in Colorado on one road trip, check out our Colorado Road Trip Itinerary. Youll need high clearance to get to the upper lot. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy spanning alpine lake views. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Snow Lake Trail | Map, Guide - Washington | AllTrails Error! Be Truthful. Bring your camera and pack some tasty snacks! Ive been hiking in Colorado for over 13 years. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. Since the trail to get to Ice Lake is steep and long you should make sure to wear hiking boots. Pass by several waterfalls on your way to one of the most magnificent lakes in all of Colorado. For more information on how to do this lake loop, continue to our Rocky Mountain National Park Guide. If you are a fan of high alpine lakes without having to travel far . Both make for a relaxing day of fishing and casting with the family. The natural beauty of a waterfall is within easy reach of Denver. This adventure features three impressive alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond. The best time to visit is between June and October. The trail will take you through both wildflower-filled meadows and forest. Explore the fantastically beautiful cirque and enjoy views of Kit Carson, The Crestones, and Humboldt Peak. Distance: 6.92 milesElevation: 1804 ftType: Out-and-back. Emerald Lake is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, and is reached by hiking from Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Its my favorite backpacking route in Colorado and well-worth an overnight. For dramatic views of Longs Peak and the iconic Diamond headwall, head up to Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Embark on an adventure at Pitkin Lake. This moderate hike is a great way to get the beautiful scenery of alpine lakes in Colorado without the lung-busting elevation gain. Distance: 8.62 milesElevation: 2113 ftType: Out-and-back. 10 "Drive-to" Lakes and Reservoirs in Colorado An alternative to driving on your own is toreserve a spoton the RFTA shuttle from Aspen Highlands Village to Maroon Bells. Scope out sweet views of Mont Massive and the mighty Sawatch Range (home to 14 of Colorados tallest peaks). At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Unfortunately, in the summer it can get hot with temperatures, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. Both lakes are stunning, a gasping traverse through the Indian Peaks Wilderness. 31 Amazing Alpine Lakes in Colorado to See in 2023 + Local Tips Distance: 3.6 milesElevation: 846 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Though close in proximity to Maroon Lake, Crater Lake is a less crowded destination, yet still unbelievably scenic. The parking lot can get crowded, so plan accordingly. Photos (9,863) Directions. Distance: 14.94 milesElevation: 2421 ftType: Out-and-back. There are three lakes in the basin. On the way to Emerald Lake you will also pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. Colorado will soon see moisture from what was Hurricane Nora and flash flood watches are already in effect for parts of the state. 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. The freshwater lake is the perfect spot for boating or fishing. If youre looking for a stunning place to stake out camp by a lake, look no more! 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. Camping is prohibited within a quarter of a mile to protect its fragile environment. Stats: 4.6 miles, 1,012' elevation gain. Cottonwood Lake The backcountry hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes features abundant wildlife, glorious mountain backdrops, and beautiful wildflowers. 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. Opt to get there early or make it an overnight to get more time. Alpine lakes are defined by being any lake that sits above 10,000 feet above sea level. 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. 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. The route shortens if you can make it up the burly 4-wheeling road. Make your way up the two-mile trail to the base of St. Marys Glacier (not really a glacier, but a permanent snowfield) where there is a picture-perfect alpine lake. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. This water adventure features beautiful cascading waterfalls among steep rocky cliffs and lush green pine trees. It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). It lies at treeline in a spectacular alpine valley framed by Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni peaks. Distance: 12.5 milesElevation: 2,890 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This mountain range holds snow well into July, so be prepared for a few patches of snow, even in late summer. The 20 most stunning alpine lakes in Colorado 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. or drop a line and try your luck with some fishing. Maroon Creek Road which leads to Maroon Bells is usually open between May and November and you are required to makereservations ahead of time to enter Maroon Bells area. The ideal time to visit is. 11. However, the serenity of the lakes is well worth the butt-busting effort. The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Nestled in those mountains behind Trout Lake sits Hope Lake. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Jewel Lake is accessible by a three-mile hike and Clear Lake requires an eight-mile hike to get to. The designation means Spinney is public fishing water that produces a minimum of 12 fish of 14in or more and 60lbs per acre. 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. Distance: 6.5 milesElevation: 2,362 feetDifficulty: Moderate to DifficultRed Tape and local tips: Pssst, there are a lot of nearby small lakes and areas to explore here. Although the entire hike is 2.4 miles long, you will arrive at the lake in half a. 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. 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. Wildflowers are at their peak in July and early August, by late August, the high alpine environment begins to brown, and temperatures drop substantially overnight. With 50 square miles of golden aspens. 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. Start on the Glacier Gorge Trail (like you would for Sky Pond) except veer left at the fork. 11 Best Lakes Near Denver To Visit This Summer - OnlyInYourState Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. Colorado High Country Custom Fly Selection | Anglers All The road will dead end at Moffat Tunnel where you'll find ample parking in a gravel lot with restrooms. Its a total bonus if you hit this trail early and arrive for the sunrise! 7 Popular Colorado ATV & Jeep Trails | Colorado.com Distance: 8.02 milesElevation: 2500 ftType: Out-and-back. These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. The hike from Ice Lake to Island Lake is about half a mile with 100 foot elevation gain. Success! Bring a swimsuit! . Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? All photos (263) Please note, reservations are required to visit the park. Where can I camp next to a lake near Denver? Discover the solitude and beauty of Twin Lakes. The scenery is beautiful throughout and provides many opportunities for continued exploration while at the top! Forsythe Canyon Round-trip Distance: 2.2 miles Trailhead: Forsythe Canyon - Lincoln National Forest Difficulty: Easy This short hike starts just outside of Boulder. This glacial lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado in terms of surface area, depth, and total water volume. The Maroon Bells are world renowned for being some of the most breathtaking mountains in the US. Start from the Bear Lake parking lot and hike the gentle trail towards Lake Haiyaha, passing through the alluring Emerald Lake. Pikes Peak - America's Mountain | Colorado Springs Keep in mind, the average hiker moves at about 2 miles an hour or covers 1,000 feet of elevation gain in an hour. Anglers should bring fishing gear as there are plenty of opportunities to fish for trout! Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. Harder To Reach: Lawn Lake. Moderate 4.6 (8765) Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Our other most popular lakeside elopement locations in Colorado are Blue Lakes near Breckenridge and Lake Isabelle near Boulder. On the way youll pass three additional lakes, including the iconic Dream Lake. This hike can be done in a near-15-mile day over moderate terrain, or you can obtain a permit to backpack and camp right near the lake. Dream Lake is a vision right out of a fairy tale in the early morning hours. 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. This adventure features several waterfalls, streams, a creek, and meadows teeming with beautiful wildflowers a photographers dream! Alpine Lakes in Colorado. An alternative to driving on your own is to. Photo by Kyle Jenkins. Blue Lakes Trail in Colorado is an easy daytime hike that features expansive alpine landscapes and brilliant turquoise waters. Nestled at 7,323 feet, the trail leading to the lake is short but relatively steep, gaining more than a thousand feet in elevation. The water is gorgeous. Check the weather. There are hiking trails near the lakes with great views of the lakes and surrounding mountains. Dog-Friendly: Bloods Lake - No, Lake Lackawaxen - Yes. If you're looking for a secluded adventure, the Mohawk Lakes (upper and lower) are the perfect alpine escape for you. This picturesque adventure boasts breathtaking mountain scenery. The 20 most stunning alpine lakes in Colorado. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. You can stop off at the lake and explore before driving to the summit of Mt.
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