colorado alpine lakes you can drive to

Blue lake sits at 11,355 feet and is frozen for much of the year. And located in the saddle of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, Tyndall Glacier (one of five active glaciers in the park) offers breathtaking views. Youll have the added bonus of passing two additional scenic alpine lakes along the way. The Lake Haiyaha hike is accessible year-round and a great option for beginners or those looking for a gentle day and one of the best winter hikes in Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park is just under a two-hour drive from Denver and an hour's drive from Boulder. Up for a challenge? Breathe in the fresh air and set up a hammock to enjoy the most incredible mountain and alpine lake backdrop. We strive to work together to protect public lands and fight for the well-being of our future generations so they, too, may be able to experience these landscapes. You can hike to this lake from either Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead. from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. If you do opt to swim, dont wear any sunscreen. The winding hike leads you past dreamy fields of wildflowers before reaching the sparkling aqua the area is known for. San Juan National Forest. Dream Lake is a vision right out of a fairy tale in the early morning hours. Expect to see some seriously stunning cascading waterfalls along the way. 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 Surrounding peaks of granite reflect off the lake's beautiful emerald green waters nestled in Rocky Mountain National Park. Distance: 4.51 milesElevation: 1090 ftType: Out-and-back. Get to know this 6.7-mile out-and-back trail near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. Pass by Alberta Falls along this route before continuing up the trail through the gorge. To see views of Lower Blue Lake from above you need to continue hiking up the steep Blue Lakes Trial towards Middle Blue Lake. Parking early in the morning is free at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Lake Blanche Trail : An absolute must-see for the aspiring Wasatch adventurer . Photo: Abby VohaskaDistance: 8.81 miles Elevation: 2635 ftType: Out-and-back. Extend your time at this magnificent spot and camp at one of the campsites found around both lakes. Bring a swimsuit! You can stop off at the lake and explore before driving to the summit of Mt. You must typically access these lake by hiking a few miles or by horseback. Start from the Bear Lake parking lot and hike the gentle trail towards Lake Haiyaha, passing through the alluring Emerald Lake. These lakes are next to Independence Pass, a road that takes you to Aspen. However, this is one gorgeous hike, especially during the wildflower season. In fact, alpine lakes in Colorado are so famous, nearly every mountain hike passes a pristine lake nestled in the mountains. Opt to get there early or make it an overnight to get more time. With such a delicate ecosystem, your skin oils and sunscreen can kill the wildlife that lives in the lake. Known for its alpine lakes, Colorado has a wide variety of trails and lake scenery to choose from. Dogs are welcome but keep them leashed, Im not kidding about the moose! "With an ample forage base such as scuds, crayfish, terrestrials, aquatic insects these fish can live 10 plus years and grow to very . The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Cash fees may apply for accessing the area. Discover the alpine beauty of Mirror Lake. Start at the main trailhead and wander up either Crystal Creek Road (the uphill ramp on your right if youre looking at the end of the lot) or continue straight past the lot to the upper lot (about a 5-car pull out) where the road intersects the Wheeler Trail. Youll be gasping for air from the steep inclines and incredible scenes. Your email address will not be published. Directions: From Colorado Springs take Hwy 24 west or, from Woodland Park take Hwy 24 east, to the Pikes Peak Highway exit in Cascade. Think you need to be a hiking pro to enjoy amazing alpine lake hikes in Colorado? Maroon Lake brings you the best of the Bells, the Maroon Bells that is. Youll begin the hike winding through dense forest before the scenery opens up to an incredible view of Longs Peak. My anticipation grows with each new day, as the sun burns hotter, longer, and stronger, thawing the lakes and tundra of the high country and promising a summer filled with days spent in the wilds. Overall, this is a gentle hike with typical views, well worth the short trip if you are in the area. This short 6.5-mile round-trip trail boasts picturesque alpine lakes and stunning views of Pfeifferhorn. 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! On July 21st, 2020, Skip, Bandit, Ezra, and I made our way from Colorado Springs, where we were visiting, up through Wyoming and Montana into Northern Idaho to visit family before heading back to Southern Idaho for work and school. Discover this alpine wonder by taking Rogers Pass Trail, a 9.1-mile out-and-back trail located near Rollinsville. Most of these lakes are accessible by foot only, although you can also drive to quite a few of them. Please note, reservations are required to visit the lake. 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.' If you're looking for a large and yet completely natural lake, then Grand Lake is the place to be in Colorado. Dispersed camping does take a little more planning, but the extra work will be well worth it. During the Ice Age of the geologically . Toll. 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! Keep moving forward and the trail will switch back and then head up the mountain. If you love the wildflowers, don't miss the serene trek into Eagles Nest Wilderness to Gore Lake. Keep it Clean. Cutthroats were originally named by William Clark on the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition. On the way youll pass three additional lakes, including the iconic Dream Lake. Both make for a relaxing day of fishing and casting with the family. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 1,765 feetDifficulty: Moderate to DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs allowed. Dog-Friendly: Bloods Lake - No, Lake Lackawaxen - Yes. This adventure leads you to one of Rocky Mountain National Parks deepest lakes (~50 ft deep). 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. If youre looking for a moderate jaunt with big view payout, check out Silver Dollar Lake outside of Georgetown. Keep in mind that there is now a shuttle and permit system. Proposition 114 passed in Colorado and now the planning process begins. To get to Island Lake, hike on Ice Lake Trail and after visiting Ice Lake, take a left on the trail to continue up to Island Lake. 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. To get there, follow Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes for 8.6 miles of out-and-back beauty. Technically you can swim at many alpine lakes in Colorado, but you probably dont want to. If you are looking for something a little easier to get to, try James Peak Wilderness. Before you hit the trail, there are several important things to remember. Upper Blue Lake is the third lake on Blue Lakes Trail. The trail is located near Glenwood Springs, offering the perfect post-adventure spot. Blue Lakes Trail in Telluride, Colorado takes you to three of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. Distance: 0.8 milesElevation: 32 feetDifficulty: Easy with accessibility rampsRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Remember to treat this natural wonderland with great care to preserve its vivid beauty and to keep it pristine for those who visit next! They have recently been working in that area, so check with the Forest Service for recent conditions. Travel over the off-road driving trail (either on foot or by 44) and reach the Alta Ghost Town. that is degrading to another person. 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. Backpack to three alpine lakes and an alpine lagoon in Roosevelt National Forest. Not to mention, the lake bottom is often rocky and very slippery. It's about a 3-mile trek out-and-back. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Another long-distance doozy, the Twin Crater Lakes hike is well-worth a backpack, unless you have hiking superpowers, in which case, it technically can be done in a day. Anglers should bring fishing gear as there are plenty of opportunities to fish for trout! 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. Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Donyanedomam (iStock). This list of the 16 top destinations in the Southwest US will, Your email address will not be published. This moderate trail evokes a classic Colorado Rocky Mountain charm. 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. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, but taking it easy and simply sitting back or fishing in the lake is the perfect way to slow down, unwind, and just be. However, dont be fooled by the easy accessibility. There is no shortage of beautiful lakes near Denver, and there are several with magnificently blue water. Continental Falls is a series of cascades dropping over 500 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. The backcountry hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes features abundant wildlife, glorious mountain backdrops, and beautiful wildflowers. Something that absolutely should be on your list of things to do with kids in Colorado! Seriouslyover 2,000! Photo by Kyle Jenkins. In the summer, this is one of the best and easiest lake hikes in Colorado. Sprague Lake is one of the most easily accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. In layman's terms, they are the state's finest fisheries. Enjoy spanning vistas of the Tenmile Range including Pacific Peak, Atlantic Peak, and Crystal Peak (all of which are excellent Colorado 13ers to try!). 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. Exploring the wilds of Denver, Colorado, and beyond. Its my favorite backpacking route in Colorado and well-worth an overnight. Parking is $5 at the Summit Lake parking lot. Tucked under Mt Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak sits two pristine alpine lakes nestled beside the town of Twin Lakes. Its nine miles round trip, gaining about 1,780 feet of elevation. Dream Lake is a high alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located east of the continental divide in northern Colorado. This truly-epic alpine lake hike is long, but worth the effort.