At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. The mountains of southern Colorado are littered with alpine lake hikes. Photo: Abby VohaskaDistance: 8.81 miles Elevation: 2635 ftType: Out-and-back. Check out this adventure for impressive views of the Mount Evans Wilderness. Whenever you hear someone talk about catching trout in the mountain lakes of the Rockies, the term that often comes up is "alpine". Lake of the Clouds brings you tranquil scenery and plenty of views. And the fish well, they just float on down, once deployed from the airplane. (Photo/David Young) Banff Sunshine is about a 15-minute drive from Banff and is serviced by a nearly 3-mile, eight-person gondola that transports skiers and snowboarders to the . Enjoy spanning vistas of the Tenmile Range including Pacific Peak, Atlantic Peak, and Crystal Peak (all of which are excellent Colorado 13ers to try!). If you're up for the challenge, Kit Carson and Challenger Point can also be accessed along this trail. There are several camping spots by the second lake if youre looking to stay overnight. Expect to see wildlife like moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or elk along the trail, especially in the late spring and early summer. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. Nineteen of the 24 lakes shown in the video sit above 10,000 feet in elevation. Photo Credit: Jose A Feliciano Cestero (iStock). Exploring The Alpine Loop - ATV Colorado - Wild ATV 5h 16m. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. This lake is in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. If you do opt to swim, dont wear any sunscreen. Editor's Note:Access to some of these lakes can vary due to a number of factors, including time of year. Distance: 2.8 miles round trip. About. Fish a high lake near Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado If you're feeling extra adventurous, climb to the 14,433-foot summit of Mount Elbert. No dogs. Lake Isabelle. Just one valley over from Cyrstal Lake is Mohawk Lakes, another set of stunning alpine lakes in Colorado. This helps you beat those pesky thunderstorms and stay safe. Lower and Upper Mohawk Lakes and three other unnamed lakes are all in the area. Take in all the wondrous sights nature has to offer as you trek your way to Lake Agnes. 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. Connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, Trail Ridge Road traverses Rocky Mountain National Park, making this one of the most scenic mountain passes in Colorado. If you're feeling extra adventurous, climb to the 14,433-foot summit of Mount Elbert. 10 "Drive-to" Lakes and Reservoirs in Colorado The trail starts off steep, dropping into a valley before running flat, then climbing steeply up again. For the best wildflowers, do this hike in late July. Most of Colorado's 2,000 high lakes lie on public lands between 9,000 and 12,000 feet and are accessible by a few miles of Forest Service trail. You'd better allow 7 hours to fully enjoy the scenic beauty, however. Once you get to the lake, focus on the right shoreline, where there is a great drop off for fish to hang out around. Aside from the deep blues waters, hikers are delighted with wildflower-filled meadows bordering the lakes in bright and beautiful colors. 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. Expect to see some seriously stunning cascading waterfalls along the way. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. The byway provides many scenic overlooks to view each of these Colorado beauties. Distance: 5.53 milesElevation: 1056 ftType: Out-and-back. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. Driving to Alpine Lakes Some lakes, like Cottonwood Lake or O'Haver Lake, are accessible by car, and even more can be found with a little hiking effort. 11 Alpine Lakes That Are Well Worth The Hike (And 1 Lake That You Can Drive To!) Nestled in Rocky Mountain National Park lies Dream Lake. Harder To Reach: Lawn Lake. This moderate hike is a great way to get the beautiful scenery of alpine lakes in Colorado without the lung-busting elevation gain. If you choose to visit any one of these destinations, please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on the trail, and pack out all trash. 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. This alpine-lake hike should make every Coloradan's bucket list. Take the Glacier Gorge Trail up a steep, winding dramatic valley that terminates at the famed Sky Pond. This includes water, snacks, sun protection, extra layers, and more. Exploring the wilds of Denver, Colorado, and beyond. Grand Mesa Trails In winter, you will have to take a walk-around to avoid avalanche terrain so be alert. Don't Threaten. 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. Does Sky Pond sound too intense? This adventure takes you through a well-marked trail with fantastic mountain views. Many of these lakes are nestled between some of the most incredible mountain scenery you'll ever lay eyes on, making them ideal for golden hour photoshoots. Once at the lakes, you can go for a swim (so bring a suit!) Dog-Friendly: Bloods Lake - No, Lake Lackawaxen - Yes. Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, Colorado. Backpack Gore Lake and catch a sunset in this unbelievable landscape. 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! Arrive early to get a spot and spend more of the day exploring! Getting to American Lake requires a steep 6 mile round trip hike with 2,000 ft elevation gain. 10 Alpine Hikes To Tackle Before the Snow Flies - 303 Magazine Alpine Loop - If you look closely you can see a 44 on the trail dwarfed by the mountains. (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.) Lush alpine scenery unfolds as you ascend the 8.1-mile out-and-back trail nestled in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton. The freshwater lake is the perfect spot for boating or fishing. If you are a fan of high alpine lakes without having to travel far . It is nestled between the towns of Ridgway and Telluride. You'll be crossing a few small streams, so be careful after heavy rains. Located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Upper Diamond Lake provides serenity and solitude even within this popular hiking area. Local Tip: This hike is also near some of the best free camping near Denver. These gorgeous alpine lakes are set in a landscape that appears to be straight from a storybook, but is actually known as the James Peak wilderness. Resting at an elevation of 9,450 feet, it may come as a surprise that this scenic lake is located just 250 feet from the parking lot. Keep it Clean. Be cautious, however, as thunderstorms are quite common in the summertime. Parking is $5 at the Summit Lake parking lot. You could spend a lifetime trying to see all of the alpine lakes in Colorado and just barely scratch the surface. Take the Wheeler trail until it intersects with Crystal Creek Road. It lies at treeline in a spectacular alpine valley framed by Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni peaks. Check out three different alpine lakes in the James Peak Wilderness with the Crater Lakes Trail. Alta Lakes whip up an alpine lake hike with a twist. Ice Lake Trailhead is located 7 miles west of Silverton. Table of Contents hide 1 Shadow Mountain Lake 2 Green Mountain Reservoir 3 Dream Lake 4 Two Rivers Lake 5 Crater Lake 6 Grand Lake 7 Lake Granby 8 Piney Lake 9 Sylvan Lake State Park 10 Twin Lakes 11 Lake Dillon 12 Blue Mesa Reservoir 13 Chatfield State Park Lake Helene is another great option for explorers of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is one of the easiest lakes on this list to get to, but is therefore also the most crowded. The total hike round trip to Middle Blue Lake is 7.6 miles with 2,292 ft elevation gain. This Colorado Trail Has 3 Turquoise Lakes With The Bluest Water You've Please note, reservations are required to visit the lake. Maroon Lake is one of the best lakes in Colorado. To see views of Lower Blue Lake from above you need to continue hiking up the steep Blue Lakes Trial towards Middle Blue Lake. Bring your camera and pack some tasty snacks! Stay awhile and enjoy the views! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Sangre de Cristo mountains offer tranquil scenery without the hustle and bustle of the weekend warrior crowd near Denver. Come and try out the great hiking and mountain biking trails too! Arizona has many unique hiking opportunities with a wide range of elevation, climate, and views. If youre looking for a stunning place to stake out camp by a lake, look no more! Improve this listing. 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. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. So many, Nestled in a glorious alpine valley at 10,868' and framed by the stunning Indian Peaks is one of the, Piney Lake is a prime spot for a day of hiking and canoeing in the Eagles Nest Wilderness in the Gore Range near Vail. 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. The Lake Haiyaha hike is accessible year-round, Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Like a Local, Altitude Sickness Prevention for Your Mountain Hike, best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Things to do in Colorado this Winter Besides Ski, 13 Mega-Epic Hikes in Estes Park, Colorado. 2. Its a total bonus if you hit this trail early and arrive for the sunrise! Photo by Kyle Jenkins. To the left, you can see the dramatic ridgeline called Keyboard of the Winds. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Mary's Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. Success! 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. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Like the name suggests, youll be in awe of the color of the deep blue waters. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. This adventure leads you through the Holy Cross Wilderness where youll be surrounded by beautiful forests. Dogs are welcome, but due to the crowds, keep Fido leashed. Please note, reservations may be required to visit the park. Start on the Glacier Gorge Trail (like you would for Sky Pond) except veer left at the fork. The 11 Best Swimming Holes In Colorado To Visit This Summer 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 . With so many lake hikes, Colorado will have your hiking itinerary booked for years! . They are remote and wild, but also peaceful and pristine at the same time. High-clearance vehicles are best suited for getting to this scenic secluded spot. It can be hard to narrow down which hikes, Colorado is a beautiful state with tall peaks, incredible lakes, and four unique national parks. Something that absolutely should be on your list of things to do with kids in Colorado! Thats right, a hiking trail that features a lake and an abandoned mining town! Surface Area: 507 acres. Cherry Creek Reservoir in Aurora, Colorado offers a treasure trove of outdoor activities for the whole family. The parking lot at Bear Lake Trailhead typically gets full very early, so make sure to get there early so you dont have to take a shuttle. Starting at 10,390 elevation and reaching 12,000 this hike has it all. Just be sure if you ask a hiking group, you make it clear that youve already checked with good old Google.
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