If you want to stay in town, choose nearby Frantz Lake in Salida or Buena Vista Town Lake in McPhelemy Park. Photo by Kyle Jenkins. The parking lot at Bear Lake Trailhead typically gets full very early, so make sure to get there early so you dont have to take a shuttle. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the trail to access starts off at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. You'll find Continental Falls in the White River National Forest near Breckenridge. Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Donyanedomam (iStock). August 25, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocked dozens of alpine lakes with more than 95,000 trout by airplane last week. Please note, reservations may be required for visiting the park. 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. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. The trail itself is moderately wooded. High-clearance vehicles are best suited for getting to this scenic secluded spot. Distance: 5.33 milesElevation: 1322 ftType: Out-and-back. Length: 63 miles. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. Keep in mind that State Forest State Park requires a fee. Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from the Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Parking is $5 at the Summit Lake parking lot. Located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Upper Diamond Lake provides serenity and solitude even within this popular hiking area. Photo Credit: Jose A Feliciano Cestero (iStock). There are other great trout reservoirs in the area, but only Spinney is a Gold Medal water. Wander the lake at sunrise for incredible views. 2. This short 6.5-mile round-trip trail boasts picturesque alpine lakes and stunning views of Pfeifferhorn. This list of the 16 top destinations in the Southwest US will, Your email address will not be published. This adventure features several waterfalls, streams, a creek, and meadows teeming with beautiful wildflowers a photographers dream! But once there, you can take in impressive panoramas of the valley below as well as hidden meadows, streams, and ponds. Camp at Twin Lakes White Star Campground. Heart Lake is another great option for backpackers. Spalding. Something that absolutely should be on your list of things to do with kids in Colorado! Sandbeach Lake has a wide sandy shore thats perfect for picnicking or simply sitting to take in the scenery. Located outside of the beautiful mountain town of Vail, the trail to the lake is about 12.5 miles out-and-back. Distance: 8.6 miles from the lower lot, the upper lot cuts about a mile or so off each way (see Crystal Lake)Elevation: 2,129 feet from the lower lot (see Cyrstal Lake)Difficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a dog-friendly area packed with awesome 13er hiking opportunities. Pristine, beautiful waters often reflect dramatic mountain views. Though close in proximity to Maroon Lake, Crater Lake is a less crowded destination, yet still unbelievably scenic. The 20 most stunning alpine lakes in Colorado. Pass by several waterfalls on your way to one of the most magnificent lakes in all of Colorado. The hike is difficult but is worth the challenge to get to one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. This list comes from years of research and is a total labor of love. Like the name suggests, youll be in awe of the color of the deep blue waters. Pass by Alberta Falls along this route before continuing up the trail through the gorge. Gold Medal Lakes in Colorado. Distance: 5.53 milesElevation: 1056 ftType: Out-and-back. If you're looking for a large and yet completely natural lake, then Grand Lake is the place to be in Colorado. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. Just be sure if you ask a hiking group, you make it clear that youve already checked with good old Google. Distance: 5.24 milesElevation: 940 ftType: Out-and-back. Since its such an iconic spot, you likely wont find yourself alone, unless you plan wisely and go early in the season, late in the evening, or during the winter. Maroon Lake brings you the best of the Bells, the Maroon Bells that is. The Upper Piney River trailhead begins at Piney Lake and winds through aspen meadows bursting with columbines, before passing by the cascading Piney Falls and ultimately leading to Upper Piney Lake at the headwaters of the Piney River just above 11,000.' It sits at an elevation of 11,860 ft with no distinguishing trail between the lower and upper lake. Distance: 5.4 milesElevation: 1,072 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs allowed. Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. Youll find over 2,000 alpine lakes in Colorado. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. This includes water, snacks, sun protection, extra layers, and more. As a consequence, by mid-June I Distance: 6.5 milesElevation: 2,362 feetDifficulty: Moderate to DifficultRed Tape and local tips: Pssst, there are a lot of nearby small lakes and areas to explore here. 1. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Evans at 14,265', or you can take the trail less traveled and summit using one of the many official and unofficial routes to the top from the lake. If you just cant get enough alpine lakes in Colorado, why not choose a hiking trail that hits four different Lakes? In fact, this is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Yes. Please note, reservations are required to visit the lake. 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. Many of these lakes are nestled between some of the most incredible mountain scenery you'll ever lay eyes on, making them ideal for golden hour photoshoots. Although the entire hike is 2.4 miles long, you will arrive at the lake in half a. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. Distance: 3.77 milesElevation: 722 ftType: Out-and-back. However, dont be fooled by the easy accessibility. Be sure to check the weather before beginning this adventure as summer thunderstorms in this area can be aggressive. 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. Whenever you hear someone talk about catching trout in the mountain lakes of the Rockies, the term that often comes up is "alpine". In the summer, the trail becomes a 44 road that you can still hike on, terminating at a parking lot. The lake is an additional 2-ish miles from the parking area. 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. This picturesque adventure boasts breathtaking mountain scenery. Lake Isabelle. You can stop off at the lake and explore before driving to the summit of Mt. 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. all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America's most . Be Truthful. Take in all the wondrous sights nature has to offer as you trek your way to Lake Agnes. It's about a 3-mile trek out-and-back. There are plenty of wildlife viewing (moose, turkey, deer, ptarmigan) and fishing opportunities. Where can I camp next to a lake near Denver? These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. Our first date was a three-day camping trip on the backroads of Colorado. 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. Come and try out the great hiking and mountain biking trails too! Be on the lookout for the moose who call this beautiful mountain landscape home! Distance: 9.1 milesElevation: 2,142 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Chicago Lakes can get pretty crowded, but there are plenty of prime backpacking sites to pitch a tent and enjoy the views! 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: 3.6 milesElevation: 846 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Distance: 3.97 milesElevation: 1299 ftType: Out-and-back. The cold water is characteristic of alpine lakes. The hike to lower blue lake is 6 miles round trip with 1,610 ft elevation gain. Dispersed camping does take a little more planning, but the extra work will be well worth it. It even has a wheelchair-friendly trail, making it an ideal choice for those who may need a little extra encouragement to hit the trail. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. Distance: 9.22 milesElevation: 2270 ftType: Out-and-back. Required fields are marked *. Distance: Depends. 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. 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. If you push on past the falls, you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful alpine lakes near Denver. Up for a challenge? Before you hit the trail, there are several important things to remember. 17. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Nestled at 7,323 feet, the trail leading to the lake is short but relatively steep, gaining more than a thousand feet in elevation. They have recently been working in that area, so check with the Forest Service for recent conditions. Ive been hiking in Colorado for over 13 years. RELATED: Views are stunning and fish . Bring your camera and pack some tasty snacks! It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). Its always important to pack the Ten Essentials in a small backpack. 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 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. Plenty of camping up there and a dog-friendly area. In layman's terms, they are the state's finest fisheries. 1. The Ute Indian tribe long inhabited this area before they were replaced by miners in the 1800s, who came in search of silver, gold, lead, and zinc. . To see the entire lake though, youll need to do a bit of climbing up the shore. Since it's a relatively short hike, this is a great one for a family nature outing. Overall, this is a gentle hike with typical views, well worth the short trip if you are in the area. 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.' On the way youll pass three additional lakes, including the iconic Dream Lake. 1. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. 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". No dogs. #16 Yellow Stimulator (covers your basic attractors, caddis, hoppers, and strike indicator for the nymph) #16 Parachute Adams (Covers mayflys, and everything else small and floating) 6 of each should fit in a tiny container and keep you fishing for a week. By Heather Brinkmann | The Denver Post. When you get to the lake you can always take a swim if you are up for it, but expect the water to be really cold! 11 Alpine Lakes That Are Well Worth The Hike (And 1 Lake That You Can Drive To!) Starting at 10,390 elevation and reaching 12,000 this hike has it all. Unfortunately, in the summer it can get hot with temperatures, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. The trail is short and packed with beauty, about 2-miles out-and-back. 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. There's a reason Maroon Lake is arguably the most photographed lake in the state. And find our listings for off-road outfitters and tour companies here. "In cold, productive alpine lakes, trout can live to be quite old," says Jeff Spohn, aquatic biologist for Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Check with the Castle Mountain Recreation Company for more up-to-date information. Dream Lake is a high alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located east of the continental divide in northern Colorado. The fee is $5 per person (16 years and older), children under 16 are free. Emerald Lake is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, and is reached by hiking from Bear Lake Trailhead or Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Distance: 14.6 milesElevation: 2,373 feetDifficulty: A difficult day hike or a moderate overnight backpackRed Tape and Local Tips: Permits are required for backpacking from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Distance: 6.92 milesElevation: 1804 ftType: Out-and-back. Make it a day by going on one of Colorados most scenic drives! Although its hard to go wrong, heres a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy spanning alpine lake views. With so many lake hikes, Colorado will have your hiking itinerary booked for years! Its a burly hike in, especially with a pack, so be prepared. Again, it depends. Opt to get there early or make it an overnight to get more time. Youll cross a couple of creeks so be sure to have the appropriate footwear on.

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