Awesome views, wildlife, lakes and wild flowers await you on this lollipop loop ride. . 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. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the 9.4-mile out-and-back trail features a rushing waterfall, granite mountain views, and colorful spring blooms. Jewel Lake is accessible by a three-mile hike and Clear Lake requires an eight-mile hike to get to. Both make for a relaxing day of fishing and casting with the family. Chicago Lakes is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Evans Wilderness that has two magnificent lakes with stellar views of the foothills and of Mount Evans. 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. In winter, you will have to take a walk-around to avoid avalanche terrain so be alert. Maroon Lake is one of the best lakes in Colorado. The 6.3-mile hike takes 2.5-3 hours, and the elevation gain is very gradual for. This ideal backpacking destination is located just minutes from the mountain town of Aspen. Spooky indeed! Dont forget to turn left at the graves or youll pass right by the final push to Gore Lake! There's a reason Maroon Lake is arguably the most photographed lake in the state. all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America's most . The natural beauty of a waterfall is within easy reach of Denver. Willow Lake offers a backpacking adventure into the Sangre de Cristo range. This adventure features three impressive alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. Plan accordingly. They are remote and wild, but also peaceful and pristine at the same time. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. Located near Gardener, Colorado, this amazing alpine lake Colorado hike starts with a downhill trek into a vast, meadow with stunning, panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Dream Lake is a vision right out of a fairy tale in the early morning hours. If you push on past the falls, you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful alpine lakes near Denver. Distance: 4.4 miles in summer, 11 miles in winterElevation: 448 in summer, 1,030 in winterDifficulty: Easy (moderate in winter)Red Tape and Local Tips: The Brainard Lake Recreation Area requires a fee for day use. To see views of Lower Blue Lake from above you need to continue hiking up the steep Blue Lakes Trial towards Middle Blue Lake. 8 to 4 miles Round TripElevation: Depends. If youre looking for short, sweet, and steep with incredible views, Windsor Lake near Leadville is an awesome choice. Check out three different alpine lakes in the James Peak Wilderness with the Crater Lakes Trail. If you're up for the challenge, Kit Carson and Challenger Point can also be accessed along this trail. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. Please note, reservations may be required to visit the park. Want a bit more of a challenge? You could also do a loop and combine this lake with Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Lake Haiyaha. This area is also an awesome place to practice mountaineering skills or go for a mid-summer ski session. . At this time, the 44 road to Blue Lakes requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to access when the gate is open during summer months (often late May through October), but there is talk . Keep in mind that there is now a shuttle and permit system. The total hike round trip to Upper Blue Lake is 8 miles with 2,404 ft elevation gain. Accessing this alpine wonder is simple. or drop a line and try your luck with some fishing. Check with the Castle Mountain Recreation Company for more up-to-date information. 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. Be sure to bring your camera and a snack to enjoy at the lake, its really that unbelievable. Its best to check with AllTrails.com or even local hiking Facebook groups to get the most up-to-date information. By Heather Brinkmann | The Denver Post. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Starting at 10,390 elevation and reaching 12,000 this hike has it all. Toll. Unfortunately, in the summer it can get hot with temperatures, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. Use the 'Report' link on Dream Lake is a high alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located east of the continental divide in northern Colorado. 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. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. Elevation Gain: 465 feet. Throughout the year, Never Summer Nordic rents two yurts en route to Jewel Lake in State Forest State Park. This is one of the most iconic adventures in Colorado and for good reason! Distance: 5.24 milesElevation: 940 ftType: Out-and-back. Distance: 10.6 milesElevation: 2,578 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: To get to this trailhead youll want a high-clearance vehicle. Don't Threaten. Maybird Lakes : Maybird Gulch is a rugged piece of the Lone Peak Wilderness in Little Cottonwood Canyon. By: 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. Hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes, 25. Improve this listing. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. The Maroon Bells are world renowned for being some of the most breathtaking mountains in the US. 2,568 feet max, MUCH less if starting from the Wheeler Trail.Difficulty: Moderate to easy depending on your route.Red Tape and Local Tips: Unlike many of Colorados famed high clearance roads (where you can usually get away with a small SUV), the road to the top of Crystal Lake is an ACTUAL Jeep trail. racist or sexually-oriented language. The United States Should Adopt The Allemannsretten, 5 Great Spots in Colorado for Fall Colors. She'd rather be dirty than done up. This alpine-lake hike should make every Coloradan's bucket list. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. Set in magnificent scenery, they are the focus of considerable settlement and a thriving tourist traffic, as well as of great scientific interest. This truly-epic alpine lake hike is long, but worth the effort. Keep in mind that State Forest State Park requires a fee. This popular lake is located within Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. The trail also features both forests and meadows budding with an abundance of wildflowers interspersed along the way. Both lakes are stunning, a gasping traverse through the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Youll cross a couple of creeks so be sure to have the appropriate footwear on. Trek beyond the lakes to reach the 14,065-foot summit of Humboldt Peak. This adventure takes you through a well-marked trail with fantastic mountain views. There was an error processing your request. To get to the lake, you'll pass through two lakes Dream and Nymph. Surround yourself in an amphitheater of dramatic rock and scope out of the best alpine lakes in Colorado. After turning on to Co. 16 (Tolland Rd.) Distance: 12.5 milesElevation: 2,890 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This mountain range holds snow well into July, so be prepared for a few patches of snow, even in late summer. Early July 2020 My first trip to the beautiful remote Sand Creek Lakes high above the Wet Mountain Valley in Colorado was in 2017, a year of the big runoff. Alpine Loop. Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back. Throughout the years Ive hiked well over 1,000 miles of terrain here in Colorado. Check that the ice is fully frozen on the lake before stepping on to cross in the colder months! Required fields are marked *. Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? Located near Idaho Springs, St. Mary's Glacier is known for its alpine lake and, you guessed it, glacier. 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. person will not be tolerated. 1. Driving time: 4 to 6 hours. 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. Lake Blanche Trail : An absolute must-see for the aspiring Wasatch adventurer . But once there, you can take in impressive panoramas of the valley below as well as hidden meadows, streams, and ponds. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. RELATED: Views are stunning and fish . Since the trail to get to Ice Lake is steep and long you should make sure to wear hiking boots. Although its hard to go wrong, heres a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. All photos (263) This is one of the easiest lakes on this list to get to, but is therefore also the most crowded. Travel over the off-road driving trail (either on foot or by 44) and reach the Alta Ghost Town. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Head to the far side of this open space and follow the trail through a stream and continue upwards until you reach a campsite at about the one-mile mark. Aside from the deep blues waters, hikers are delighted with wildflower-filled meadows bordering the lakes in bright and beautiful colors. Editor's Note:Access to some of these lakes can vary due to a number of factors, including time of year. 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. Hurricane Nora is forecast to track near Baja California and along the Gulf of California through this weekend with moisture spreading into the Southwest U.S. by the middle of next week. Please note, reservations may be required for visiting the park. 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. Water activities including fishing and kayaking are great ways to spend time exploring the area, especially if you plan to stay and camp. The backcountry hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes features abundant wildlife, glorious mountain backdrops, and beautiful wildflowers. Hike to the base of several Colorado 14ers at South Colony Lakes and enjoy one of the best hikes in Colorado.