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 are also many opportunities for overnight backcountry adventures at one of the mountain lakes near Denver in James Peak Wilderness. Sprague is one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. The byway provides many scenic overlooks to view each of these Colorado beauties. What does 2023 look like for gray wolf reintroduction? Something that absolutely should be on your list of things to do with kids in Colorado! She'd rather be dirty than done up. While opting for the alpine wonder is suitable for a wider range hiking skill levels, bagging both peaks is only recommend for the most experienced hikers. Lake of the Clouds brings you tranquil scenery and plenty of views. Distance: 6.92 milesElevation: 1804 ftType: Out-and-back. 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. This list of the 16 top destinations in the Southwest US will, Your email address will not be published. Stargazing at night is amazing, so be sure to bring a camera if youre into night photography! Distance From Telluride: 10 miles | 22 minutes Accessibility: Rugged, off-road vehicle recommended Activities: Fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding Located just 20 minutes outside of Telluride, Alta Lakes is a popular destination for couples and families seeking a convenient water retreat. 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. About. Distance: 3.77 milesElevation: 722 ftType: Out-and-back. Bierstadt, and even Denver at times. Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? Once you get to the lake, focus on the right shoreline, where there is a great drop off for fish to hang out around. The best time to visit lakes in Colorado is between May and October when there is no snow so they are easier to get to. Island Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado, located at 12,400 feet. The views along the way to these four alpine lakes do not disappoint. There is no shortage of beautiful lakes near Denver, and there are several with magnificently blue water. Located in gorgeous Glenwood Canyon, the drive to the trailhead is reason . Every experience in the outdoors can prove to be a learning opportunity. By: For the ultimate sunrise with majestic mountain peaks as the backdrop, this is just the right adventure. Use the 'Report' link on The cold water is characteristic of alpine lakes. The 14.3-mile out-and-back trail features double the wonders Mirror Lake and Crater Lake. Bear Lake is a popular lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Go early. Its my favorite backpacking route in Colorado and well-worth an overnight. This lake is known for the reflection you can see in the lake of 14,000 ft tall Maroon Peaks. Distance: 3 milesElevation: 1,135 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: If you want a fighting chance at a less-crowded experience, go for sunrise. The lake is an additional 2-ish miles from the parking area. Technically you can swim at many alpine lakes in Colorado, but you probably dont want to. The United States Should Adopt The Allemannsretten, 5 Great Spots in Colorado for Fall Colors. Keep in mind permits are required and parking fills up fast. 1. Lake Ann - Only accessible by way of a 1.75-mile well-maintained trail, this pristine lake is ruggedly scenic and extremely protected. The trail also features both forests and meadows budding with an abundance of wildflowers interspersed along the way. If you are up for the challenge Island Lake is worth the visit! The fee is $5 per person (16 years and older), children under 16 are free. The Alpine Loop leaves pavement and people behind, crossing the remote, rugged, spectacular heart of the San Juan Mountains. This is the most beautiful lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, and can be combined with Bear Lake and Emerald Lake. Dogs are welcome but keep them leashed, Im not kidding about the moose! The trail is about 6.8 miles round trip to Ice Lake with 2,457 ft elevation gain. Exploring the wilds of Denver, Colorado, and beyond. The water is piercingly clear blue, which will entice you to jump right in! Don't knowingly lie about anyone The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. For the best wildflowers, do this hike in late July. Although Gore Lake looks reasonable on paper, this is a tough hike, with much of the elevation gained in the last couple of miles. Pass by Alberta Falls along this route before continuing up the trail through the gorge. Enjoy magnificent views of aspens as you continue through sage and dense forest. If you choose to visit any one of these destinations, please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on the trail, and pack out all trash. Note that this hike does require permits, so be sure to reserve yours in advance to enjoy this fun summertime waterfall adventure! accounts, the history behind an article. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. This short 6.5-mile round-trip trail boasts picturesque alpine lakes and stunning views of Pfeifferhorn. Gore Lake. These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 1,765 feetDifficulty: Moderate to DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs allowed. 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. Arizona has many unique hiking opportunities with a wide range of elevation, climate, and views. The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Upper Diamond Lake provides serenity and solitude even within this popular hiking area. In terms of the best lake hikes, Colorado offers some incredibly unique lakes and the Hanging Lake hike takes the cake. Also, dont be an ass, you are not allowed to swim or climb around on the logs here. . 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. Take a look at these butt-busting lake hikes in Colorado. Trout Lake is a short drive from the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village towards Lizard Head Pass. Dog-friendly. With such a delicate ecosystem, your skin oils and sunscreen can kill the wildlife that lives in the lake. This adventure features three impressive alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond. Located outside of the beautiful mountain town of Vail, the trail to the lake is about 12.5 miles out-and-back. #16 Yellow Stimulator (covers your basic attractors, caddis, hoppers, and strike indicator for the nymph) #16 Parachute Adams (Covers mayflys, and everything else small and floating) 6 of each should fit in a tiny container and keep you fishing for a week. Evans and Mt. With over 110 hiking trails, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and rugged ridgelines, it's no wonder this national park made its way onto our list! 8 to 4 miles Round TripElevation: Depends. Lake Isabelle is one of the best winter hikes in Colorado (add about five miles round trip for the winter hike). In fact, alpine lakes in Colorado are so famous, nearly every mountain hike passes a pristine lake nestled in the mountains. Start on the Glacier Gorge Trail (like you would for Sky Pond) except veer left at the fork. This moderate hike is a great way to get the beautiful scenery of alpine lakes in Colorado without the lung-busting elevation gain. Its always a good idea, especially on longer, difficult hikes or solo excursions, to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Elevation Gain: 465 feet. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Make sure you have the necessary permits before setting up camp. Banff Sunshine. . And located in the saddle of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, Tyndall Glacier (one of five active glaciers in the park) offers breathtaking views. Again, July is a popular month to hike, but we also experience a monsoon season. You could spend a lifetime trying to see all of the alpine lakes in Colorado and just barely scratch the surface. Come and try out the great hiking and mountain biking trails too! Forsythe Canyon Round-trip Distance: 2.2 miles Trailhead: Forsythe Canyon - Lincoln National Forest Difficulty: Easy This short hike starts just outside of Boulder. There are other great trout reservoirs in the area, but only Spinney is a Gold Medal water. It sits at an elevation of 11,860 ft with no distinguishing trail between the lower and upper lake. Encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds. Sundial Peak over Lake Blanche. Distance: 7.7 milesElevation: 2,522 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. Share with Us. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. In fact, almost every hike in Colorado leads to an alpine lake. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. Its also home to some of the best fall hikes in Colorado. Distance: 11.32 milesElevation: 2375 ftType: Out-and-back. You'd better allow 7 hours to fully enjoy the scenic beauty, however. Located in the San Juan Mountains, the lake also attracts a variety of wildlife including elk and moose. We can easily drive 30 minutes into high elevation aspen forests & alpine lakes when desired. Distance: 10.6 milesElevation: 2,578 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: To get to this trailhead youll want a high-clearance vehicle. Discover this alpine wonder by taking Rogers Pass Trail, a 9.1-mile out-and-back trail located near Rollinsville. Dont forget to turn left at the graves or youll pass right by the final push to Gore Lake! Gold Medal Lakes in Colorado. Keep your eyes peeled for moose hanging out in the bushes or near the waters edge! 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. Huskies also thrive in Colorado - alpine lakes, cross . Square Top Lakes, Guanella Pass Square Top Lakes via Shutterstock. The round-trip distance from the lower trailhead is around 8 miles depending on your route, including some road walking, but the upper trail is actually an easy 4-ish mile round-trip jaunt. . Opt to get there early or make it an overnight to get more time. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. To get to the lake, you'll pass through two lakes Dream and Nymph. 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. Harder To Reach: Lawn Lake. Discover the alpine beauty of Mirror Lake. Photo Credit: The Gazette, Christian Murdock. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Marys Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. We'd love to hear eyewitness Additionally, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife may occasionally stock non-native fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroats, common in Wyoming and Idaho, into some fisheries. Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. The drive from Crested Butte to Paonia passes West Beckwith Mountain, the best spot in the state to view foliage. Accessibility from North Cascades Highway makes it an excellent stop on a road trip through the area. Check the weather. Directions SUV recommended: From the Town of Crested Butte, take Gothic Road (Route 135) north a total of 12.6 miles. Those launching float tubes and canoes will appreciate being able to drive within spitting distance of the many lakes and small . If youre lucky, youll get a perfect reflection of these towering peaks against the lake. Catch dramatic views of the Sharkstooth and Taylor Peak. Pass by the popular Alberta Falls, but keep trekking to leave the crowds behind and find yourself in complete solitude in this vast and unbelievably beautiful wilderness. Nineteen of the 24 lakes shown in the video sit above 10,000 feet in elevation. These lakes are next to Independence Pass, a road that takes you to Aspen. You can take a dip at Sprouting Rock in a stunning turquoise oasis found just behind Hanging Lake. This picturesque adventure boasts breathtaking mountain scenery. 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. And find our listings for off-road outfitters and tour companies here. Required fields are marked *. Blue Lakes Trail in Telluride, Colorado takes you to three of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. This hike also has a waterfall. Capping out at 12,183 feet in elevation, at its summit, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous road in the country. 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. Distance: 2.8 milesElevation: 885 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and local tips: Dogs are allowed to use this trail. You can hike to this lake from either Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Photo: Abby VohaskaDistance: 8.81 miles Elevation: 2635 ftType: Out-and-back. After seeing Island Lake continue ahead and take a right to form a small loop. all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America's most . 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. Not to mention, the lake bottom is often rocky and very slippery. You're going to want to bring your camera on these adventures. Surface Area: 507 acres. Here you'll find a campground, cabins, and dispersed camping. Camping in dispersed camping areas gives you the opportunity for a little more privacy and peace and quiet. Loop or Out and Back: Out and Back or Loop. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. Throughout the post youll find: Absolutely. Everyone knows about Hanging Lake, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. This alpine-lake hike should make every Coloradan's bucket list. Once at the lakes, you can go for a swim (so bring a suit!) However, with that being said, its still worth a visit to gaze upon this magical fairytale lake. Make sure to pay attention to trail signs and take a GPS, there are a lot of intersecting trails in the area. Many of Colorado's high lakes are found in roadless or wilderness areas. 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. Nestled at 7,323 feet, the trail leading to the lake is short but relatively steep, gaining more than a thousand feet in elevation. . Though close in proximity to Maroon Lake, Crater Lake is a less crowded destination, yet still unbelievably scenic. Alpine Loop. Take in all the wondrous sights nature has to offer as you trek your way to Lake Agnes. Hike to Chasm Lake Photo: Kyle Frost Distance: 8.02 miles Elevation: 2500 ft Type: Out-and-back Length: 7.9 mi Est. 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're feeling extra adventurous, climb to the 14,433-foot summit of Mount Elbert. Resting beautifully at an elevation of 9,003 feet. This adventure features several waterfalls, streams, a creek, and meadows teeming with beautiful wildflowers a photographers dream! Its always important to pack the Ten Essentials in a small backpack. Emerald Lake is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, and is reached by hiking from Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Expect to see wildlife like moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or elk along the trail, especially in the late spring and early summer. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. 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. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox. If you're up for the challenge, Kit Carson and Challenger Point can also be accessed along this trail.
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