Editor's Note:Access to some of these lakes can vary due to a number of factors, including time of year. Located outside of the beautiful mountain town of Vail, the trail to the lake is about 12.5 miles out-and-back. Our first date was a three-day camping trip on the backroads of Colorado. 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. 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. If you are already hiking Blue Lakes Trail and made it to Lower Blue Lake, it is worth continuing up to Middle Blue Lake. 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. Distance: 6.92 milesElevation: 1804 ftType: Out-and-back. Extend your time at this magnificent spot and camp at one of the campsites found around both lakes. Lake Ann - Only accessible by way of a 1.75-mile well-maintained trail, this pristine lake is ruggedly scenic and extremely protected. This trail is popular and can get very crowded, so try to hike it either really early or much later in the day. In the summer, the wildflowers are quite magical. Note that the weather can flip quite rapidly in this area, so be prepared for all the elements sun, wind, snow, and rain! If youre looking for a stunning place to stake out camp by a lake, look no more! Hike your way up to the lakes for breath-taking views and lakeside goodness! From short day hikes close to the city to multi-day backpacking trips deep in Rocky Mountain National Park, these adventures will take you to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Colorado. Spalding. If you push on past the falls, you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful alpine lakes near Denver. Most of the Alpine lakes lie in valleys that were formed during the uplift of the mountain chain of the Alps. Kevin BuggieBPL Member. If youre looking for a moderate jaunt with big view payout, check out Silver Dollar Lake outside of Georgetown. 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. There was an error processing your request. Alpine lakes, the 11 significant European lakes fringing the great mountainous mass of the Alps. There's a reason Maroon Lake is arguably the most photographed lake in the state. With so many lake hikes, Colorado will have your hiking itinerary booked for years! Distance: 4.51 milesElevation: 1090 ftType: Out-and-back. Please note, reservations may be required for visiting the park. Dream Lake is a high alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located east of the continental divide in northern Colorado. Sundial Peak over Lake Blanche. Distance: 10.2 milesElevation: 2,014 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: This trail is primarily used for driving (an easy off-road trial) but if you dont mind the walk, you can hike it just give way to vehicles and take care. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. This strenuous Sky Pond hike leads to one of the most dramatic alpine lakes in Colorado. Alpine Loop. If you love the wildflowers, don't miss the serene trek into Eagles Nest Wilderness to Gore Lake. This alpine-lake hike should make every Coloradan's bucket list. Tucked under Mt Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak sits two pristine alpine lakes nestled beside the town of Twin Lakes. In the south you can find Saguaro National Park and, Colorado is full of incredible hiking trails that take you to breathtaking views, waterfalls, and lakes. Something that absolutely should be on your list of things to do with kids in Colorado! Getting caught in a lightning storm at altitude is dangerous, it kills people every year, so be sure to check the weather and plan appropriately. Keep your eyes peeled for moose hanging out in the bushes or near the waters edge! You'll take the Mitchell Lake Trail, crossing Mitchell Creek and passing Mitchell Lake along the way. Throughout the year, Never Summer Nordic rents two yurts en route to Jewel Lake in State Forest State Park. In reality, you can make your way to an alpine lake any time of the year. Note that parking at the Brainard Lake Recreational Area lot costs $10 and fills up quickly. Huskies also thrive in Colorado - alpine lakes, cross . Distance: 5.53 milesElevation: 1056 ftType: Out-and-back. It's the state's highest peak. The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Here are the lessons I have learned! Set in magnificent scenery, they are the focus of considerable settlement and a thriving tourist traffic, as well as of great scientific interest. We searched for alpine lakes to hike to in the area and came across Crystal Lake in Saint Marie's, Idaho. Cutthroats were originally named by William Clark on the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition. Ive been hiking in Colorado for over 13 years. There's a one-way road that loops around the lake and parking for trailheads leading to Blue and Mitchell Lakes in the north valley and Isabelle and Long Lakes to the south. This Rocky Mountain National Park adventure provides an opportunity to catch an unforgettable sunrise. Nestled at 7,323 feet, the trail leading to the lake is short but relatively steep, gaining more than a thousand feet in elevation. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back. Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? Lake Isabelle. person will not be tolerated. Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. . Check the weather. Yep, us too. The Alpine Lakes is the largest wilderness area . Though close in proximity to Maroon Lake, Crater Lake is a less crowded destination, yet still unbelievably scenic. Distance: 11.32 milesElevation: 2375 ftType: Out-and-back. The total round trip hike to Island Lake with the loop is 8 miles with 2,700 ft elevation gain. . This is a do-able day hike, but there are spots for camping if you want to stay overnight. Take the dirt road up in elevation as it turns a bit rough closer to the lake. 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. You can stop off at the lake and explore before driving to the summit of Mt. 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. Its a burly hike in, especially with a pack, so be prepared. The electric, mineral-rich water beckons. Catch dramatic views of the Sharkstooth and Taylor Peak. Make sure to pay attention to trail signs and take a GPS, there are a lot of intersecting trails in the area. 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. Both make for a relaxing day of fishing and casting with the family. Blue Lakes Trail in Telluride, Colorado takes you to three of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. Bonus points if you summit one of the mountains! Distance: 14.94 milesElevation: 2421 ftType: Out-and-back. No dogs are allowed in the yurt over winter. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. Colorado has many picturesque lakes surrounded by high peaks. Photos (9,863) Directions. There are a lot of famous alpine lake hikes in Colorado to discover. You'll need four-wheel drive to access the campsites at Bill Moore Lake but getting there on the steep rocky roads is part of the fun! You will definitely want to wear hiking boots and bring trekking poles for this part of the trail. Go early. This is the most beautiful lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, and can be combined with Bear Lake and Emerald Lake. Distance: 8.47 milesElevation: 1706 ftType: Loop. If you're feeling extra adventurous, climb to the 14,433-foot summit of Mount Elbert. Dogs are welcome, but due to the crowds, keep Fido leashed. Local Tip: This hike is also near some of the best free camping near Denver. Columbine Lake Trail #509 in San Juan National Forest is a difficult and steep trail with 16 discernible switchbacks but it's worth the effort. Driving time: 4 to 6 hours. Check with the Castle Mountain Recreation Company for more up-to-date information. You will encounter a boulder field, so be prepared for occasional scrambling. You'd better allow 7 hours to fully enjoy the scenic beauty, however. Adventurous hikers can continue up the glacier just be sure to bring some traction and maybe a hiking pole or two. On Monday and . 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. Dispersed camping does take a little more planning, but the extra work will be well worth it. Simply hike to Loch Vale instead. The best way to see the highlights of Colorado is, Sedona is a town surrounded by red rocks that offers incredible hikes, but its beauty and social media popularity has attracted crowds. Definitely come prepared with a suit to take a dip. Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. You must typically access these lake by hiking a few miles or by horseback. Discover the solitude and beauty of Twin Lakes. This rather large lake is surrounded by pines with a dramatic mountain background. Youll get glimpses of Longs Peak and Alberta Falls (in the summer). You'll find Continental Falls in the White River National Forest near Breckenridge. 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. It sits at an elevation of 11,860 ft with no distinguishing trail between the lower and upper lake. Distance: 2.8 milesElevation: 885 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and local tips: Dogs are allowed to use this trail. Traverse forests of aspen and lodgepole pine and enjoy views of surrounding peaks and valleys before arriving at some of the, This 160-acre tarn resides at 12,836' at Summit Lake Park beneath Mt. Keep in mind that there is now a shuttle and permit system. These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. Its also home to some of the best fall hikes in Colorado. In fact, this is one of my favorite day hikes near Denver. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. To make this a longer adventure, you can keep the fun going all the way to Bear Lake. The deep blue waters of the Ice Lakes will leave you in awe. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from the Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. Please note, reservations are required to visit the park. 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. 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. The fee is $5 per person (16 years and older), children under 16 are free. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. Enjoy magnificent views of aspens as you continue through sage and dense forest. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Exploring the wilds of Denver, Colorado, and beyond. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. It lies at treeline in a spectacular alpine valley framed by Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni peaks. Although its hard to go wrong, heres a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. accounts, the history behind an article. Local Tip: The Bear Lake parking area fills up quickly throughout the year, even on weekdays, so plan on arriving early or be prepared to take a shuttle. An alternative to driving on your own is toreserve a spoton the RFTA shuttle from Aspen Highlands Village to Maroon Bells. The trail is about 6.8 miles round trip to Ice Lake with 2,457 ft elevation gain. There are three lakes in the basin. 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. Sandbeach Lake has a wide sandy shore thats perfect for picnicking or simply sitting to take in the scenery. 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. Maroon Lake is one of the best lakes in Colorado. Travel over the off-road driving trail (either on foot or by 44) and reach the Alta Ghost Town. The fastest way to get to this beautiful lake in the rocky mountains is to hike from Glacier Gorge Trailhead 5.4 miles round trip with 1,070 ft elevation gain. However, dont be fooled by the easy accessibility. Yes. In the Fall, the Aspen grove comes alive with color, making for an especially memorable experience. RELATED: Views are stunning and fish . Parking early in the morning is free at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Colorado will soon see moisture from what was Hurricane Nora and flash flood watches are already in effect for parts of the state. Use the 'Report' link on Bear Lake Bear Lake located in Rocky Mountain National Park Located off of Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lakes makes for a quick pit stop. 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. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. The lake is an additional 2-ish miles from the parking area. from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. Pristine, beautiful waters often reflect dramatic mountain views. Start from the Bear Lake parking lot and hike the gentle trail towards Lake Haiyaha, passing through the alluring Emerald Lake.
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