Trails leading to alpine lakes have won my heart and these 7 amazing hikes in Colorado’s mountains will win yours!

Having an alpine lake be your destination keeps you pushing ahead with anticipation and upon arrival at each of these lakes all thoughts or pains while getting there are forgotten! 

 

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Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no added cost to you).

 

Ptarmigan Lake Trail 

THE TRAIL THAT GOT ME HOOKED ON HIKING TO ALPINE LAKES

Want to start hiking in Colorado and end up above timberline at an alpine lake surrounded by views of 13ers & 14ers? Ptarmigan Lake Trail is it! You’ll be smitten from start to finish…

FOR MORE INFO: Ptarmigan Lake Trail

TIDBITS
Rated: moderate

6.2 miles out and back

Trail #1444

Elevation start: 10,680 ft.

Elevation end: 12,300 ft.

Outhouse at trailhead

Dog friendly

Chaffee County

San Isabel National Forest

Nearest town: Buena Vista

 

 

Booth Lake Trail 

LOVE, LOVE THIS HIKE, SO INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS

Booth Lake Trail was strenuous, exhilarating, and will leave you speechless when reaching tree line. Beautiful from beginning to end with the added bonus of popular 60′ Booth Falls!

FOR MORE INFO: Booth Lake Trail

TIDBITS

10 mile out and back

Rated: difficult

Trail # 2011

Elevation gain: 3,053 feet

Open to hiking, horseback, dogs on leash

Not open to mountain bikes

Popular for trout fishing in late summer – Colorado Fishing License

Parking: limited – another option: East Vail Free Shuttle

White River National Forest

Eagle – Holy Cross Ranger District – Camping Information 

Eagles Nest Wilderness

 

 

Mohawk Lakes Trail 

THIS IS THE ONE NOT TO MISS, IS EVERYTHING COLORADO!

Mohawk Lakes Trail is one of Colorado’s best day hikes. Starting at 10,390′ elevation and reaching 12,000′ this hike has it all. Alpine lakes, old cabins, creek crossings, summer wildflowers, a stupendous waterfall, and unimaginable views.

FOR MORE INFO: Mohawk Lakes Trail

TIDBITS

6 miles out and back – to lower lake

6.7 miles out and back – to upper lake

Rated: moderate/strenuous

No restrooms at trailhead

Crazy crowded in summer months – come early!

Nearest Town: Breckenridge, CO

Open to: hiking, snowshoeing, dogs on leash, horses and mountain bikes

White River National Forest

Dillon Ranger District – dispersed camping information

 

 

 

 

Kroenke Lake Trail 

EVERY HIKE IN THE COLLEGIATE PEAKS IS SENSATIONAL!

Kroenke Lake Trail is one to add to your bucket list! Beautiful from beginning to end, you’ll hike through lush forests, leading to incredible views of Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks, do a few water crossings, and nestled in the basin just below treeline, you’ll find Kroenke Lake.

FOR MORE INFO: Kroenke Lake Trail

TIDBITS

8.6 miles out and back

Rated: moderate

Start elevation: 9,860 ft

Lake elevation: 11,500 ft

Open to: hiking, dogs on leash, horses

Collegiate Peak Wilderness

San Isabel National Forest

Nearest town: Buena Vista

Salida Ranger District

 


 

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Blue Lakes Trail 

THE MOST BREATHTAKING HIKE WE’VE HIKED

There is nothing like a hike in the rugged beauty of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Hiking Blue Lakes Trail was beyond our expectations! Looking for a trail that won’t disappoint? This is it! Rated hard, which sounds intimidating, but so worth it. It was a bit of a scramble to reach the Upper Blue Lakes but its doable so don’t let the rating scare you! It’s one of the most breathtaking hikes we’ve hiked.

FOR MORE INFO: Blue Lakes Trail

TIDBITS

Trail # 201

Rated: Strenuous

6.3 miles (first lake) – 11 miles out and back 

Start elevation: At trailhead, 9350 ft.

Elevation: Upper Lake, 11,720 ft.

Elevation: Blue Lakes Pass: roughly 13,000 ft.

Closest Towns: Ridgway, Ouray, CO

Mt. Sneffels Wilderness

Uncompahgre National Forest

 

These alpine lake hikes are trails to be prepared for with all the recommended hiking essentials

 

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McCullough Gulch Trail

HIKE THIS AND YOU WILL BE INSPIRED TO DO MORE TRAILS!

McCullough Gulch Hike, a popular sought after trail in Breckenridge CO, you don’t want to miss! A bit on the strenuous side of moderate but so worth the effort. There is nothing lacking on this trek, it’s an alpine playground.

FOR MORE INFO: McCullough Gulch Trail

TIDBITS

2.7 miles out and back from trailhead + a half mile trek to the Trailhead making it 3.7 miles.

Rated: moderate, consider it’s an uphill trek with lots of rocks and steep areas at high altitude.

Start Elevation: 11,100 ft. Elevation gain: 1,578 ft.

2 portable restrooms at the overflow parking lot for Quandary Peak

Highly popular trail, can become very crowded, limited close parking.

Dog friendly

Popular for snowshoeing: Contact Dillon Park Ranger District for Trail conditions. 

Nearest town: Breckenridge, CO

White River National Forest

Dispersed Camping permitted

NOTE: The road to the trailhead may be gated for weather issues in winter.

TIP: When hiking in spring, late fall, and winter one item I LOVE is hand warmers, I get cold easy and they save me from being miserable. I’ve even used them in the summer!

 

 

Denny Creek Trail

THREE WORDS … WOW, INCREDIBLE, STUNNING! 

Denny Creek Trail is one of the leading trails into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area and offers the ultimate mountain experience! So many options, you will find the Trailhead to Mt. Yale (14er) or you can hike over Browns Pass or do what we did, a day hike to Hartenstein Lake.

FOR MORE INFO: Denny Creek Trail

TIDBITS to Hartenstein Lake

Rated: moderate/challenging in spots

6 miles out and back

Start elevation: 9,880 ft.

End elevation:11,480 ft

Parking at trailhead

Restroom at trailhead

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area

San Isabel National Forest

Nearest town: Buena Vista

Hoping one of these hikes makes it to your list of hikes to do! Guaranteed to make you happy and excited to do more trails. Have questions, need help, or simply want to share your hiking adventures leave a comment below. Love to hear from you. 

Happy Trails!

Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no added cost to you).