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!
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: moderate6.2 miles out and back
Trail #1444
Elevation start: 10,680 ft.
Elevation end: 12,300 ft.
Outhouse at trailhead
Dog friendly
Chaffee County
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
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
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
San Isabel National Forest
Nearest town: Buena Vista
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.
These alpine lake hikes are trails to be prepared for with all the recommended hiking essentials.
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
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).
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