Photo Credit: The Gazette, Christian Murdock. You have permission to edit this collection. Photo: Ryan DewaneDistance: 8.43 milesElevation: 1780 ftType: Out-and-back. If youre looking for a stunning place to stake out camp by a lake, look no more! However, this is one gorgeous hike, especially during the wildflower season. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Go early. The deep blue waters of the Ice Lakes will leave you in awe. Lake Ann - Only accessible by way of a 1.75-mile well-maintained trail, this pristine lake is ruggedly scenic and extremely protected. Please note, reservations are required to visit the lake. Miles from Denver: 100 miles. If you're looking for a large and yet completely natural lake, then Grand Lake is the place to be in Colorado. Along the byway, you can travel through various scenery changes: start in a desert canyon and pass aspen foothills, lakes, alpine forests, lily ponds, and meadows bursting with wildflowers as you make your way to the top. Distance: 8.47 milesElevation: 1706 ftType: Loop. It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. Grand Lake. Print/PDF map. Many of Colorado's high lakes are found in roadless or wilderness areas. Threats of harming another So many, Nestled in a glorious alpine valley at 10,868' and framed by the stunning Indian Peaks is one of the, Piney Lake is a prime spot for a day of hiking and canoeing in the Eagles Nest Wilderness in the Gore Range near Vail. Distance: 11.32 milesElevation: 2375 ftType: Out-and-back. Set a check-in time and have that person try to check in with you first, before calling authorities (just in case you forget to circle back). Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. Accessibility from North Cascades Highway makes it an excellent stop on a road trip through the area. Getting caught in a lightning storm at altitude is dangerous, it kills people every year, so be sure to check the weather and plan appropriately. Island Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado, located at 12,400 feet. 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. Arrive early to get a spot and spend more of the day exploring! From short day hikes close to the cityto multi-day backpacking tripsdeep in Rocky Mountain National Park, these adventures will take you to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Colorado. Description. This moderate trail evokes a classic Colorado Rocky Mountain charm. the most part. Twin Lakes Discover the solitude and beauty of Twin Lakes. Alpine Loop drive takes 4-6 hours to cover the distance between Ouray, Lake City, and Silverton. Nestled in those mountains behind Trout Lake sits Hope Lake. Camping is permitted and free around Alta Lakes in Telluride with campsites littered all around the three lakes. 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. Its best to check with AllTrails.com or even local hiking Facebook groups to get the most up-to-date information. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. Blue lake sits at 11,355 feet and is frozen for much of the year. Distance: 0.8 milesElevation: 32 feetDifficulty: Easy with accessibility rampsRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. You'll take the Continental Falls via the Mohawk Lakes trail to the falls. Stats: 4.6 miles, 1,012' elevation gain. Distance: 11 milesElevation: 2,529 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. 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. 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. This adventure features three impressive alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond. 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. This trail is popular and can get very crowded, so try to hike it either really early or much later in the day. Take a Scenic Drive Through Rocky Mountain National Park The Maroon Bells are world renowned for being some of the most breathtaking mountains in the US. 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. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Driving to Alpine Lakes Some lakes, like Cottonwood Lake or O'Haver Lake, are accessible by car, and even more can be found with a little hiking effort. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. Driving time: 4 to 6 hours. Note that parking at the Brainard Lake Recreational Area lot costs $10 and fills up quickly. She'd rather be dirty than done up. This is the most beautiful lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, and can be combined with Bear Lake and Emerald Lake. Follow the signs to the Pikes Peak Highway entry gate. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. 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. Granite spires surrounding the lake, one referred to as sharks tooth. There are also two 13,000-foot peaks nearby, Taylor and Powell. If you already made it to Middle Blue Lake it is a quick 0.2 mile walk to Upper Blue Lake. Colorado will soon see moisture from what was Hurricane Nora and flash flood watches are already in effect for parts of the state. Take in all the wondrous sights nature has to offer as you trek your way to Lake Agnes. About. Continental Falls is a series of cascades dropping over 500 feet. Trout Lake is a short drive from the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village towards Lizard Head Pass. 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. 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! Nestled at 7,323 feet, the trail leading to the lake is short but relatively steep, gaining more than a thousand feet in elevation. Although Gore Lake looks reasonable on paper, this is a tough hike, with much of the elevation gained in the last couple of miles. This adventure features several waterfalls, streams, a creek, and meadows teeming with beautiful wildflowers a photographers dream! Distance: Depends. The wildflower lined trail is short and beautiful, clocking in at 2.1 miles round trip. Overall, this is a gentle hike with typical views, well worth the short trip if you are in the area. 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. Error! This glacial lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado in terms of surface area, depth, and total water volume. 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. . This trail is well-used but has an interesting start as you make your way up next to and around a huge railway tunnel. Spalding. Our other most popular lakeside elopement locations in Colorado are Blue Lakes near Breckenridge and Lake Isabelle near Boulder. In winter the trail may be impossible without ice climbing gear. Blue Lakes Trail in Telluride, Colorado takes you to three of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. This ideal backpacking destination is located just minutes from the mountain town of Aspen. Please explore responsibly! Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. 11. 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.' Fall is a great time to visit for the changing aspens, but if you love wildflowers, consider a late-spring to summer visit. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. There are several camping spots by the second lake if youre looking to stay overnight. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. 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. . There is no shortage of beautiful lakes near Denver, and there are several with magnificently blue water. . There are three lakes in the basin. Alpine lakes are defined by being any lake that sits above 10,000 feet above sea level. Youll get glimpses of Longs Peak and Alberta Falls (in the summer). Wildflowers are at their peak in July and early August, by late August, the high alpine environment begins to brown, and temperatures drop substantially overnight. Distance: 6.92 milesElevation: 1804 ftType: Out-and-back. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. The scenery is beautiful throughout and provides many opportunities for continued exploration while at the top! The lake is an additional 2-ish miles from the parking area. Get going on this adventure to the three beautiful Blue Lakes nestled among Colorados San Juan Range in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Check the weather. The backcountry hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes features abundant wildlife, glorious mountain backdrops, and beautiful wildflowers. Camping in dispersed camping areas gives you the opportunity for a little more privacy and peace and quiet. It's the state's highest peak. Its a total bonus if you hit this trail early and arrive for the sunrise! Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The park boasts a wide range of activities that include summiting 14,259-foot Longs Peak, camping in the expansive backcountry, hiking to waterfalls and alpine lakes and, of course, wildlife viewing. Sundial Peak over Lake Blanche. Pass by the popular Alberta Falls, but keep trekking to leave the crowds behind and find yourself in complete solitude in this vast and unbelievably beautiful wilderness.

Fraternal Order Of Eagles Menu, Icourt Smart Search, Articles C