The views along the way to these four alpine lakes do not disappoint. Willow Lake offers a backpacking adventure into the Sangre de Cristo range. 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. This adventure leads you through the Holy Cross Wilderness where youll be surrounded by beautiful forests. Photo: Ryan MckinneyDistance: 4.09 milesElevation: 374 ftType: Out-and-back. Backpack to three alpine lakes and an alpine lagoon in Roosevelt National Forest. Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. If youre looking for a moderate jaunt with big view payout, check out Silver Dollar Lake outside of Georgetown. Not so much an alpine lake hike as it is a recreation hot spot, Wellington Lake is an awesome place to explore earlier in the season before the alpine lakes in Colorado are thawed. The picturesque lakes are tucked away near the mountains of Breckenridge. This lake is known for the reflection you can see in the lake of 14,000 ft tall Maroon Peaks. It's Denver's highest mountain park and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965. The 6.3-mile hike takes 2.5-3 hours, and the elevation gain is very gradual for. The hike to lower blue lake is 6 miles round trip with 1,610 ft elevation gain. Another worthwhile alpine lake hike near Breckenridge is Crystal Lake, which gives the ultimate solitude and scenery double punch. It sits at an elevation of 11,860 ft with no distinguishing trail between the lower and upper lake. 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. Toll. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Located in the San Juan Mountains, the lake also attracts a variety of wildlife including elk and moose. 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. Please note, reservations may be required for visiting the park. Distance: 3.6 milesElevation: 846 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Bonus points if you summit one of the mountains! Most of the Alpine lakes lie in valleys that were formed during the uplift of the mountain chain of the Alps. There is plenty of fishing, swimming, camping, and even small, easy hiking trails that provide plenty of family fun. Please note, reservations are required to visit the park. In the summer, the wildflowers are quite magical. The breathtaking clear blue American Lake is located in Aspen, Colorado. Trek beyond the lakes to reach the 14,065-foot summit of Humboldt Peak. Think you need to be a hiking pro to enjoy amazing alpine lake hikes in Colorado? There are a lot of famous alpine lake hikes in Colorado to discover. The mountains surrounding Mirror Lake defy gravity, and early in the morning, you can get a perfect reflection of the famous Lone Eagle Peak (named the most beautiful mountain in Colorado). Hike to Chasm Lake Photo: Kyle Frost Distance: 8.02 miles Elevation: 2500 ft Type: Out-and-back The snowpack is different every year, so its tough to say when trails will be snow-free. Photo Credit: The Gazette, Christian Murdock. Theres no shortage of fantastic mountain and lake views. ATV The Alpine Loop Length: 65 mile loop Drive Time: 5-7 hours Fees: 3-day Pass: $6.00 7-day Pass: $12.00 Annual Pass: $45.00 Or America the Beautiful Pass (National Park Pass) Difficulty: 75% Easy / 25% Difficult (rock outcroppings, drop offs) Access: Easy ATV Friendly Town: Lake City Ideal Riding Season: Mid Summer - September There are three lakes in the basin. The winding hike leads you past dreamy fields of wildflowers before reaching the sparkling aqua the area is known for. This trail is popular and can get very crowded, so try to hike it either really early or much later in the day. If you choose to visit any one of these destinations, please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on the trail, and pack out all trash. But on your way there, take moments of rest to appreciate the view of Longs Peak to the south and Tyndall Creek. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Square Top Lakes, Guanella Pass Square Top Lakes via Shutterstock. By Heather Brinkmann | The Denver Post. Sandbeach Lake has a wide sandy shore thats perfect for picnicking or simply sitting to take in the scenery. Make it a day by going on one of Colorados most scenic drives! Camping is permitted and free around Alta Lakes in Telluride with campsites littered all around the three lakes. 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. Hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes, 25. 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. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. 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. Miles from Denver: 100 miles. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. This trail is well-used but has an interesting start as you make your way up next to and around a huge railway tunnel. However, this is one gorgeous hike, especially during the wildflower season. 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. With 50 square miles of golden aspens. Our first date was a three-day camping trip on the backroads of Colorado. You must typically access these lake by hiking a few miles or by horseback. With that being said, typically alpine lakes are frozen and mostly snow-free starting in July through around mid-October depending on the year. Adventurous hikers can continue up the glacier just be sure to bring some traction and maybe a hiking pole or two. 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. You'll be crossing a few small streams, so be careful after heavy rains. Photo Credit: Jose A Feliciano Cestero (iStock). Its nine miles round trip, gaining about 1,780 feet of elevation. What I love about this Colorado lake hike is just how quiet it is. The trail also features both forests and meadows budding with an abundance of wildflowers interspersed along the way. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. Sky Pond is one of the most jaw-dropping sights to see. This hike also has a waterfall. The total hike round trip to Middle Blue Lake is 7.6 miles with 2,292 ft elevation gain. This list of the 16 top destinations in the Southwest US will, Your email address will not be published. Youll begin the hike winding through dense forest before the scenery opens up to an incredible view of Longs Peak. Primarily characterized as an alpine tundra region, its total distance is approximately 65 miles and can be completed in about 7 hours (or more), typically under normal circumstances. Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back. The route shortens if you can make it up the burly 4-wheeling road. The water is piercingly clear blue, which will entice you to jump right in! 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. 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. High-clearance vehicles are best suited for getting to this scenic secluded spot. Colorado's Alpine Loop is affectionately called the " Switzerland of America" for a reason! Accessibility from North Cascades Highway makes it an excellent stop on a road trip through the area. The byway provides many scenic overlooks to view each of these Colorado beauties. There are plenty of wildlife viewing (moose, turkey, deer, ptarmigan) and fishing opportunities. Many of Colorado's high lakes are found in roadless or wilderness areas. If you just cant get enough alpine lakes in Colorado, why not choose a hiking trail that hits four different Lakes? The cold water is characteristic of alpine lakes. You can take a dip at Sprouting Rock in a stunning turquoise oasis found just behind Hanging Lake. Camping in dispersed camping areas gives you the opportunity for a little more privacy and peace and quiet. This ideal backpacking destination is located just minutes from the mountain town of Aspen. You could also do a loop and combine this lake with Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Lake Haiyaha. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. Enjoy spanning vistas of the Tenmile Range including Pacific Peak, Atlantic Peak, and Crystal Peak (all of which are excellent Colorado 13ers to try!). Today, this area is thought of as a near ideal spot for relaxation and water recreation, but it used to be a vital transportation destination after gold was discovered in nearby Aspen in 1879. Moderate 4.6 (8765) Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Rocky Mountain National Park is a hidden gem in the Colorado Rockies. racist or sexually-oriented language. These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from the Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. This 7.7 miles trail boasts a wow factor unlike any other. Whether you make a day hike or weekend of it, these hidden, Tucked away at the intersection of two valleys in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, is the popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area, with its namesake lake resting at 10,500.' Definitely come prepared with a suit to take a dip. More Information 2. Its my favorite backpacking route in Colorado and well-worth an overnight. In the summer, this is one of the best and easiest lake hikes in Colorado. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. To get there, follow Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes for 8.6 miles of out-and-back beauty. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a large wilderness area spanning the Central Cascades of Washington state in the United States.The wilderness is located in parts of Wenatchee National Forest and Snoqualmie National Forest, and is approximately bounded by Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass to the south and U.S. Route 2 and Stevens Pass to the north. This alpine-lake hike should make every Coloradan's bucket list. Beware of moose in this area, they are everywhere and not afraid to charge! 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. Distance: 5.4 milesElevation: 1,072 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs allowed. Stay awhile and enjoy the views! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Trek your way through stunning alpine country to one of the most picturesque lakes in the state Hanging Lake. Improve this listing. 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. The fishing season for these high alpine lakes in Colorado is relatively short. The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Editor's Note:Access to some of these lakes can vary due to a number of factors, including time of year. This lake is in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Since it's a relatively short hike, this is a great one for a family nature outing. Proposition 114 passed in Colorado and now the planning process begins. The main mountain attraction is Lone Eagle Peak, which climbers can also ascend. Ive been hiking in Colorado for over 13 years. There are a total of six campsites along the route as well as at the lake. Temperatures are often utterly freezing, since most alpine lakes are fed by snowmelt. On the way to Emerald Lake you will also pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. Distance: 7.7 milesElevation: 2,522 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. This adventure features several waterfalls, streams, a creek, and meadows teeming with beautiful wildflowers a photographers dream!

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