Dog-Friendly: Bloods Lake - No, Lake Lackawaxen - Yes. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. This scenic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park begins at the popular Glacier Gorge trailhead, but you can avoid the crowds by heading out later in the afternoon and be rewarded by an incredible sunset. Check that the ice is fully frozen on the lake before stepping on to cross in the colder months! The road will dead end at Moffat Tunnel where you'll find ample parking in a gravel lot with restrooms. Alpine Lakes Offer an Alternative to Crowded Fishing. Thats right, a hiking trail that features a lake and an abandoned mining town! Nestled in Roosevelt National Forest, you can set foot on this adventure to three alpine lakes and a lagoon with the opportunity to pass by splendid waterfalls and wildflowers. Bear Lake is a short walk from Bear Lake Trailhead and you can add a 0.6 mile loop around the lake to enjoy it more. Alpine Lake Fishing - Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado Vacation This route is delicate, so always practice Leave No Trace when visiting. As a consequence, by mid-June I The Arkansas and local streams around my home base of Salida were blown out and muddy well into July. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. 10 Scenic Mountain Passes in Colorado - Uncover Colorado Follow the signs to the Pikes Peak Highway entry gate. If you are looking for something a little easier to get to, try James Peak Wilderness. Make it a day by going on one of Colorados most scenic drives! Sprague is one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. The breathtaking clear blue American Lake is located in Aspen, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 42 min to complete. Lake Isabelle. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Mary's Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. Alpine Loop - If you look closely you can see a 44 on the trail dwarfed by the mountains. Local Tip: This hike is also near some of the best free camping near Denver. Please note, reservations are required to visit the lake. Many of the most amazing lakeside views in the state are easily accessible for beginner hikers. You have permission to edit this collection. Maroon Lake is one of the best lakes in Colorado. There are three lakes in the basin. If you just cant get enough alpine lakes in Colorado, why not choose a hiking trail that hits four different Lakes? The alpine wonder rests at an elevation of 10,630 feet located between Flattop Mountain (12,324 feet) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129 feet) ). The cold water is characteristic of alpine lakes. Required fields are marked *. Tell someone about your plans. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Ice Lake is a beautiful bright blue alpine lake located at 12,300 feet that requires a very strenuous hike to get to. Something that absolutely should be on your list of things to do with kids in Colorado! 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. This article will walk you through the best lakes in Colorado and how to get to these lakes. These high-altitude lakes are typically much clearer than their low elevation counterparts and are often fed directly by snowmelt. Are there any waterfalls I can visit near Denver? Distance: 5.33 milesElevation: 1322 ftType: Out-and-back. Cottonwood Lake Note that the weather can flip quite rapidly in this area, so be prepared for all the elements sun, wind, snow, and rain! each comment to let us know of abusive posts. + Save to a List. UPPER & LOWER BUSHNELL LAKES. But beyond those details, Colorado is one of the few states where you can legally marry yourselves! Be Proactive. 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. In winter the trail may be impossible without ice climbing gear. 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 . The 2.3-mile out-and-back trail starts off in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and then winds on to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. 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. Colorado has many picturesque lakes surrounded by high peaks. Expect to see some seriously stunning cascading waterfalls along the way. Scope out sweet views of Mont Massive and the mighty Sawatch Range (home to 14 of Colorados tallest peaks). 3 Crater Lakes via South Boulder Creek, Nederland, Colorado - The Outbound Capping out at 12,183 feet in elevation, at its summit, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous road in the country. Evans and Mt. Hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes, 25. Distance: 7.7 milesElevation: 2,522 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. It lies at treeline in a spectacular alpine valley framed by Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni peaks. Bring a swimsuit! In the summer, the wildflowers are quite magical. The main mountain attraction is Lone Eagle Peak, which climbers can also ascend. Sundial Peak over Lake Blanche. There are plenty of wildlife viewing (moose, turkey, deer, ptarmigan) and fishing opportunities. Blue Lakes Trail in Telluride, Colorado takes you to three of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. 1. Arizona has many unique hiking opportunities with a wide range of elevation, climate, and views. 8 to 4 miles Round TripElevation: Depends. The video showcases the beauty of Colorado's high country. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Opt to get there early or make it an overnight to get more time. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. Enjoy magnificent views of aspens as you continue through sage and dense forest. Length: 7.9 mi Est. And the fish well, they just float on down, once deployed from the airplane. 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. The byway provides many scenic overlooks to view each of these Colorado beauties. To get to the lake, you'll pass through two lakes Dream and Nymph. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. 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. Come prepared for changing weather conditions. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. The trail features colorful wildflower meadows, breathtaking views, and plenty of wildlife. Share with Us. Once at the lakes, you can go for a swim (so bring a suit!) Trek beyond the lakes to reach the 14,065-foot summit of Humboldt Peak. Distance: 9.22 milesElevation: 2270 ftType: Out-and-back. Come July and August, Lawn Lake is arguably the best lake for fishing in the park. Start on the Glacier Gorge Trail (like you would for Sky Pond) except veer left at the fork. 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. Crested Butte Trails: Emerald Lake Everyone knows about Hanging Lake, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. If you do this hike in the winter, youll experience different scenery, but surely just as stunning. Aside from the deep blues waters, hikers are delighted with wildflower-filled meadows bordering the lakes in bright and beautiful colors. This adventure leads you to one of Rocky Mountain National Parks deepest lakes (~50 ft deep). Just be sure if you ask a hiking group, you make it clear that youve already checked with good old Google. Lake Helene is another great option for explorers of Rocky Mountain National Park. Adventurous hikers can continue up the glacier just be sure to bring some traction and maybe a hiking pole or two. Its my favorite backpacking route in Colorado and well-worth an overnight. racist or sexually-oriented language. Alpine lakes | Britannica The best lakes in Colorado often require hard hikes to get to but that also means that you can enjoy them with less people. There are hiking trails near the lakes with great views of the lakes and surrounding mountains. Eventually, you will come across a meadow and can continue up the far side of the mountain, through a dense evergreen forest. Be Nice. The 20 most stunning alpine lakes in Colorado This 7.7 miles trail boasts a wow factor unlike any other. Take the Wheeler trail until it intersects with Crystal Creek Road. Photo: Abby VohaskaDistance: 8.81 miles Elevation: 2635 ftType: Out-and-back. Surface Area: 507 acres. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. Most of the Alpine lakes lie in valleys that were formed during the uplift of the mountain chain of the Alps. . Some of them thought all of us had hiked into the wilderness to hear their death metal on the boombox at the lake all day. The Top 10 Lakes Near Telluride To Visit Lodging In Telluride Photo: Ryan MckinneyDistance: 4.09 milesElevation: 374 ftType: Out-and-back. 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. 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. Throughout the post youll find: Absolutely. The 14.3-mile out-and-back trail features double the wonders Mirror Lake and Crater Lake. Learn more The backcountry hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes features abundant wildlife, glorious mountain backdrops, and beautiful wildflowers. Alpine Loop. Cherry Creek Reservoir. Kebler Pass (Crested Butte) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go If you want to stay in town, choose nearby Frantz Lake in Salida or Buena Vista Town Lake in McPhelemy Park. This area is also an awesome place to practice mountaineering skills or go for a mid-summer ski session. Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back. The 6.3-mile hike takes 2.5-3 hours, and the elevation gain is very gradual for. The hike will start with views of sweeping meadows and will follow along the South Boulder Creek. 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. These incredible, Climb a 3.5-mile trail along an open ridge in the Eagles Nest Wilderness to reach one of the, One option is this challenging all-day hike that involves a bounty of supreme alpine splendor. But if climbing a fourteener is not your bag, there's also a trail that leads to the jaw-dropping and some of the. You will encounter a boulder field, so be prepared for occasional scrambling. The United States Should Adopt The Allemannsretten, 5 Great Spots in Colorado for Fall Colors. Yes. Washington's Best Lakes | Outdoor Project Known for its alpine lakes, Colorado has a wide variety of trails and lake scenery to choose from. If youre looking for a moderate jaunt with big view payout, check out Silver Dollar Lake outside of Georgetown. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. Overall, this is a gentle hike with typical views, well worth the short trip if you are in the area.