Alpine lakes, the 11 significant European lakes fringing the great mountainous mass of the Alps. Note that this hike does require permits, so be sure to reserve yours in advance to enjoy this fun summertime waterfall adventure! 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. Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from the Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Spooky indeed! It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). The trail will take you through both wildflower-filled meadows and forest. Photo: Abby VohaskaDistance: 8.81 miles Elevation: 2635 ftType: Out-and-back. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. Distance: 10.5 milesElevation: 2,975 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Parking is limited so consider taking the free bus from the Vail Village parking structure to the trailhead. However, with that being said, its still worth a visit to gaze upon this magical fairytale lake. This popular alpine lake Colorado hike near Vail, Colorado will take you across Pitkin Creek and on an intense, narrow climb up the mountain. Bear Lake is a popular lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. With 50 square miles of golden aspens. Moderate (difficult in winter) 2.4-mile out-and-back. Lush alpine scenery unfolds as you ascend the 8.1-mile out-and-back trail nestled in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton. If you choose to visit any one of these destinations, please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on the trail, and pack out all trash. 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! Doggies welcome. Keep in mind, the average hiker moves at about 2 miles an hour or covers 1,000 feet of elevation gain in an hour. Its a total bonus if you hit this trail early and arrive for the sunrise! Jewel Lake is accessible by a three-mile hike and Clear Lake requires an eight-mile hike to get to. What does 2023 look like for gray wolf reintroduction? The total hike round trip to Upper Blue Lake is 8 miles with 2,404 ft elevation gain. Long Lake is an alpine explorers paradise. The designation means Spinney is public fishing water that produces a minimum of 12 fish of 14in or more and 60lbs per acre. For more information on how to do this lake loop, continue to our Rocky Mountain National Park Guide. 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. Alpine Loop. There are a total of six campsites along the route as well as at the lake. Description. Not your computer? . Please note, reservations may be required to visit the park. This rather large lake is surrounded by pines with a dramatic mountain background. The main attraction while at the lake is the commanding Hallett Peak. From Bear Lake Trailhead it is about 4.2 miles roundtrip with 840 ft elevation gain. It lies at treeline in a spectacular alpine valley framed by Navajo, Apache and Shoshoni peaks. In terms of the best lake hikes, Colorado offers some incredibly unique lakes and the Hanging Lake hike takes the cake. While "alpine" is used by many anglers to describe the high elevation fisheries they visit that are inaccessible for of the year and may require a difficult drive and/or hike to access, not all high elevation fisheries are truly "alpine". Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. Did your favorite make it to our list of most beautiful lakes near Denver? Camping is prohibited within a quarter of a mile to protect its fragile environment. When it comes to alpine lakes, Colorado takes the cake and there is no place on earth like Mirror Lake. With that being said, typically alpine lakes are frozen and mostly snow-free starting in July through around mid-October depending on the year. Be sure to check local road conditions during the winter months, the road is unmaintained and closed, which adds an extra 3 to 4 miles each way. Distance: 2.8 milesElevation: 885 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and local tips: Dogs are allowed to use this trail. But if climbing a fourteener is not your bag, there's also a trail that leads to the jaw-dropping and some of the. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. 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. In the summer, this is one of the best and easiest lake hikes in Colorado. Whenever you hear someone talk about catching trout in the mountain lakes of the Rockies, the term that often comes up is "alpine". Please note, reservations are required to visit the lake. Almost countless. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible . Granite spires surrounding the lake, one referred to as sharks tooth. There are also two 13,000-foot peaks nearby, Taylor and Powell. Mohawk Lakes offer plenty of picture-perfect backcountry camping or opportunities to summit nearby mountains, such as Father Dyer. It's a roughly 12-mile trek that leads to Upper Cataract Lake below the famed Eagles Nest Mountain looming at an impressive 13,432,' then continues on to Cat Lake and ultimately to Mirror Lake, which lies at 11,020.' Nestled in those mountains behind Trout Lake sits Hope Lake. Did you know that Colorado is home to over 2,000 lakes? If you already made it to Middle Blue Lake it is a quick 0.2 mile walk to Upper Blue Lake. There are a lot of famous alpine lake hikes in Colorado to discover. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. Definitely come prepared with a suit to take a dip. If youre lucky, youll get a perfect reflection of these towering peaks against the lake. Alpine Lakes Offer an Alternative to Crowded Fishing. 5 hidden lakes in Colorado you probably never knew exsisted Alpine Lake. Get to know this 6.7-mile out-and-back trail near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. 11 Alpine Lakes That Are Well Worth The Hike (And 1 Lake That You Can Drive To!) Eventually, you will come across a meadow and can continue up the far side of the mountain, through a dense evergreen forest. No dogs. But beyond those details, Colorado is one of the few states where you can legally marry yourselves! You'll pass the ski resort and drive over into the Gothic valley, past the old mining town of Gothic. The scenery is beautiful throughout and provides many opportunities for continued exploration while at the top! 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. Miles from Denver: 100 miles. The road will dead end at Moffat Tunnel where you'll find ample parking in a gravel lot with restrooms. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Also, keep in mind there are restrictions on where you can walk, so be respectful of signs and regulations. Lake Isabelle is one of the best winter hikes in Colorado (add about five miles round trip for the winter hike). Breathtaking beauty awaits hikers at South Colony Lakes. Unfortunately, in the summer it can get hot with temperatures, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. And the fish well, they just float on down, once deployed from the airplane. 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. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, person will not be tolerated. The winding hike leads you past dreamy fields of wildflowers before reaching the sparkling aqua the area is known for. If you just cant get enough alpine lakes in Colorado, why not choose a hiking trail that hits four different Lakes? 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. Toll. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. They are remote and wild, but also peaceful and pristine at the same time. What I love about this Colorado lake hike is just how quiet it is. Like the name suggests, youll be in awe of the color of the deep blue waters. Distance: 3.77 milesElevation: 722 ftType: Out-and-back. On Monday and . Backpack Gore Lake and catch a sunset in this unbelievable landscape. all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America's most . If you want to stay in town, choose nearby Frantz Lake in Salida or Buena Vista Town Lake in McPhelemy Park. This adventure will bring you by wide open meadows and plenty of wildlife (look out for moose and elk!) 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. Those launching float tubes and canoes will appreciate being able to drive within spitting distance of the many lakes and small . This lake is known for the reflection you can see in the lake of 14,000 ft tall Maroon Peaks. There are also many opportunities for overnight backcountry adventures at one of the mountain lakes near Denver in James Peak Wilderness. This glacial lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado in terms of surface area, depth, and total water volume. Distance: 3.9 milesElevation: 1,062 feetDifficulty: Easy to moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Sometimes the road in is closed, which adds about a mile each way. Print/PDF map. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. Independence Pass is also located nearby for scenic travelers. Dogs are welcome, but due to the crowds, keep Fido leashed. Distance: 1.9 milesElevation: 807 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: There is a $5 parking fee at both parking lots for St Marys. Be on the lookout for the moose who call this beautiful mountain landscape home! 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. Another worthwhile alpine lake hike near Breckenridge is Crystal Lake, which gives the ultimate solitude and scenery double punch. Again, July is a popular month to hike, but we also experience a monsoon season. In winter, you will have to take a walk-around to avoid avalanche terrain so be alert. Moderate 4.6 (8765) Alpine Lakes Wilderness. In the Fall, the Aspen grove comes alive with color, making for an especially memorable experience. The hike from Ice Lake to Island Lake is about half a mile with 100 foot elevation gain. that is degrading to another person. 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. Gray Wolf Reintroduction, What Does 2023 Look Like In Colorado? 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. This 2,125 acre man-made lake sits about 15 miles south of Kremmling, Colorado in Summit County. The hike gains more than 3,000 feet of elevation, so be prepared for a strenuous climb coached with incredible views to keep you distracted. Alpine Lakes in Colorado. Parking early in the morning is free at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Immarite? You can stop off at the lake and explore before driving to the summit of Mt. Columbine Lake Trail #509 in San Juan National Forest is a difficult and steep trail with 16 discernible switchbacks but it's worth the effort. Think you need to be a hiking pro to enjoy amazing alpine lake hikes in Colorado? Dogs welcome. (And be sure to take time to branch off and discover the wonder of Salmon Lake along the way, tucked deep in the forest amidst fields of impressive boulders and towering pines.) Snow Lake Trail. Grand Lake. These high-altitude lakes are typically much clearer than their low elevation counterparts and are often fed directly by snowmelt. This robust trail near Copper travels through sculpted canyons, pine forests, and open meadows as it ascends 3 vigorous miles to a pair of pristine, Don't let this demanding 10 mile hike intimidate you, because this glistening chain of alpine lakes nestled beneath Red Peak on North Willow Creek, is an unforgettable experience everyone should enjoy. Check out this adventure for impressive views of the Mount Evans Wilderness. Many of Colorado's high lakes are found in roadless or wilderness areas. Distance: 8.47 milesElevation: 1706 ftType: Loop. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. Don't Threaten. Theres no shortage of fantastic mountain and lake views. You'll take the Mitchell Lake Trail, crossing Mitchell Creek and passing Mitchell Lake along the way. Please note, reservations are required to visit the park. Keep your eyes peeled for moose hanging out in the bushes or near the waters edge! Green Mountain Reservoir. The middle and upper are said to have the best views. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Lakes at 12,000 feet above sea level may only offer a couple of months of fishing due to the heavy snowfall in Colorado. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. Both lakes are stunning, a gasping traverse through the Indian Peaks Wilderness. For the best wildflowers, do this hike in late July. This trail is well-used but has an interesting start as you make your way up next to and around a huge railway tunnel. You could also do a loop and combine this lake with Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Lake Haiyaha. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Alpine Loop - If you look closely you can see a 44 on the trail dwarfed by the mountains. Twin Lakes is located at the foot of the highest mountain in the entire Rocky Mountain Range along the continental divide and is also Colorados largest natural glacier lake. This includes water, snacks, sun protection, extra layers, and more. Pristine, beautiful waters often reflect dramatic mountain views. Make your way up the two-mile trail to the base of St. Mary's Glacier (not really a glacier, but a permanent snowfield) where there is a picture-perfect alpine lake. The breathtaking clear blue American Lake is located in Aspen, Colorado. But what if I told you we havent been given access to over half of whats really out there? More Information 2. Descriptions of the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado including distance, difficulty, and elevation gain. Its a burly hike in, especially with a pack, so be prepared. To extend your adventure, you can continue on to Isabelle Glacier. Sharp granite cliffs rise straight out of the water as you gaze upon views of Longs Peak in the distance. 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.