Colorado is by far one of our favorite states and that is because of the endless opportunities of outdoor activities there are. From winter to summer, there is always something that can get you outside and active. Now having lived in Colorado both during the winter months and the summer months we can vouch for that! In the winter you have the obvious, skiing and snowboarding. But, you also have snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and so much more. In the summer months, you have paddleboarding, biking, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, and hiking. We love hiking! Not only can it be a great workout, but it is also very freeing, mentally and emotionally. However, for some, hiking has to have a reward at the end. But who doesn’t love a good reward?! And Colorado can provide some pretty epic rewards on hikes! So, good news, we went ahead and did all the leg work for you. These are five of the most REWARDING alpine lake hikes you could do while visiting Colorado!
BLUE LAKES
If you could only go do one alpine lake hike then I would highly suggest hiking to Blue Lakes. The hike itself is 8.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,529 ft. On this trail, you will see THREE lakes, lower, middle, and upper blue lakes. Don’t be like us and think there are three different viewing points of the lower lake and decide to stop hiking and turn around because we were satisfied. However, we were told that Lower Blue Lake is the best lake! So, if you do want to stop after the first one then you should, but there are TWO more lakes you could see if you kept on going.
Now that we have established that there are THREE lakes on this trail, let’s just talk about the Lower Blue Lake. I mean…what an incredible site! Look at this!!!
Never have we ever seen a lake this color before. It is God’s finest work, and we get to witness it! So cool! The trail is an out-and-back, located in Ridgway, Colorado. There are great dispersed campsites around the area that would be great to stay at if you can! Once you get to the lower lake there is an epic view of Mount Sneffels. And if you’re feeling brave you can continue to hike a little over 7 miles and up almost 4,000 more ft to summit this beautiful mountain!
Blue Lakes is a sight to behold, and even though the hike can be a little challenging for some, it’s totally worth it! This hike will change the way you think about alpine lake hikes.
ICE LAKE
Although Blue Lakes was life-changing for us, Ice Lake Trail was our favorite! Everything about this trail and our experience for the whole weekend was just one for the books. The views, from not only the lake, but the entire mountainside are just breathtaking!
Ice Lake is located in the San Juan National Forest (also a must-see) in Silverton, CO. The trail is a doozy, but it’s worth it! At 8.3 miles long and with an elevation gain of 2,877 ft this out-and-back features waterfalls, creeks, and those sweet, sweet mountain views.
Because this is a very popular trail, I would advise getting to the trailhead early to ensure a parking spot. If you decide to go the night before there is a great campground just across the street. South Mineral Campground is first-come, first-serve with a cost of $34 per site. It is a seasonal campground which is only open May-September. The campground is absolutely beautiful, located at the base of red and grey streaked mountains, but still plenty shaded by the towering pine trees. If you aren’t lucky enough to claim a spot, there are free dispersed campsites around the area. The parking lot is located just across the street, so in the morning you should have no problem claiming a spot!
ISLAND LAKE
The great thing about Island Lake is that it is located on the same trail as Ice Lake! This way you can knock out two birds with one stone. Even though they are only minutes away, the views are so different! Less than a mile away from Ice Lake sits Island Lake. The trail does get steep and follows a narrow path, but I promise it’s worth the extra work. Island Lake is named after the small island that sits in the middle of the lake. Original, right? You could potentially swim to the island, but I would advise letting the water warm up as much as possible because the lake does sit at the base of a 13,000 ft mountain. Ulysses S Grant Peak is a stunning mountain that does have a trail that leads to the top, but beware, it looks intense!
After taking in the green lake, going for a dip, and enjoying a PB&J, you could either go back the way you came or continue down from Island Lake creating a lollipop trail. I would highly suggest this way! Who doesn’t love a change of scenery while hiking? Whichever way you go, this trail deserves 5 stars! It was an incredible hike with so many beautiful views and a hike that will go down as one of our all-time favorites!!
MIRROR LAKE
Are you up for a challenge? Because I have the PERFECT hike for you! Mirror Lake & Crater Lake via Cascade Creek Trail. This is a whopping 16-mile hike with an elevation gain of 2,368 ft. I know what you’re thinking… 16 miles?! No, thank you. But please I promise you will not be disappointed! This trail is top 5 for us for sure!
Mirror Lake is located in Arapaho National Forest at the base of Lone Eagle Peak. A magnificent mountain that makes the trail worth it even without the lake! This out-and-back trail could be done in a day but is also a popular destination for backcountry camping. So, if you feel like there’s no way you could do it in a day or just simply want to take your time there are so many beautiful spots to camp just off the trail!
The trail starts from Monarch Lake Trailhead, just outside Granby, another beautiful lake that would be great to enjoy a short hike, picnic, or even fishing! The trail is very gradual and never too steep, which is always a plus! This hike features beautiful scenery, such as wildflowers, open fields, waterfalls, and stunning views of Lone Eagle Peak. After 8 miles you finally reach Mirror Lake. A small, blue lake with a perfect reflection of the mountain. There are plenty of spots to sit, enjoy lunch, and take in the views. Whenever you’re ready and before you head down you MUST take a short walk over to Crater Lake because you’ve already come so far and to miss yet another epic lake would be a tragedy.
CRATER LAKE
What’s better than alpine lake hikes? An alpine lake hike with TWO lakes! Crater Lake is just past Mirror Lake on the opposite side of Lone Eagle Peak. You get such a different view of the peak and also the surrounding mountains. This lake is much bigger but just as clear.
Thank you to the people who told us to keep going because once again we almost missed this one! If you do decide to do this hike in one day, which is totally doable, just make sure you are prepared. Pack plenty of water and food, extra socks, headlamp, etc. Because by the end of this hike, we couldn’t feel our feet…worth it though!
Hi! We’re Paige & Adam 🙂
Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!
