What makes an alpine lake beautiful? It’s not only the color of the water but also the surrounding mountains, meadows, wildflowers, the beautiful blue sky- everything makes the experience a very beautiful one. If you are planning for some alpine lakes this summer, you should make a plan for Colorado. Here are some beautiful alpine lakes to visit this summer:
Maroon Lake, Crater Lake
It’s impossible to miss this iconic picture of Colorado- the famous Maroon bells reflection on the Maroon Lake. Maroon Lake is the most photographed Lake in Colorado. The beauty of this lake is incomparable especially during the sunrise when the first ray of the sun hits the Maroon peak. The scene is dreamy. If the peak is snow-covered, it’s quite a scene. During fall, all the yellow foliage reflection with the Maroon peak is truly amazing. You should visit this lake at least once in a lifetime. You need to make reservations to visit Maroon Bells when the roads are open (May 14-October 24, 2021). All the information about the reservation can be found here: https://newsbreakapp.onelink.me/2115408369?pid=mp_561181&msource=mp_561181&docid=0aEEoAEx&af_dp=newsbreak%3A%2F%2Fopendoc%3Fdocid%3D0aEEoAEx&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsbreak.com%2Faf-landing%3Fdocid%3D0aEEoAEx
Maroon Bells Reservations | Aspen (aspenchamber.org)
If you want to experience the Maroon peak from a further high distance, you should go to Crater Lake. Nestled at 10076 ft, this lake gives the open feeling of being in nature and the serene beauty is hard to describe. Don’t wait, see for yourself. To reach this lake you will have to hike 3.5 miles (round trip) with an elevation gain of around 700 ft.
Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake is one of the most picturesque lakes in Colorado located at 7323 ft near Glenwood Springs. The trail is only 3-miles (round trip) which is comparatively short but steep and rocky with an elevation gain of 1000 ft. The important fact is you have to make a reservation or get the permit in advance (permit cost $12 USD per person) through this website:
Permits & Reservations for the Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon (visitglenwood.com)
You can either drive your vehicle and park in the Hanging Lake rest area or you can bike or hike through Glenwood Canyon to the trailhead. In both cases, you need a permit for the hourly reserved time slot starting from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. After 5:45 pm, hikers will not be allowed to access the trailhead. If you want to visit this lake, please plan ahead of time and make your reservation online.
Ice Lake, Island Lake
If you want to see some alpine lakes with colorful water, go for Ice Lake and Island Lake. The hike is moderate (8 miles out and back) with an elevation gain of 3000ft. The good thing is that you can see the two most beautiful alpine lakes in one hike. The color of the Ice Lake is shocking electric blue, whereas the Island lake is turquoise green and there is an island in the middle of the lake. If you are hiking during summer, a good chance is that the meadows and the surrounding area of the lakes will be covered by different colorful wildflowers. You can find the details of the hike here (https://newsbreakapp.onelink.me/2115408369?pid=mp_561181&msource=mp_561181&docid=0a8NJllh&af_dp=newsbreak%3A%2F%2Fopendoc%3Fdocid%3D0a8NJllh&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsbreak.com%2Faf-landing%3Fdocid%3D0a8NJllh).
Blue Lakes
Located near Telluride, these three lakes are perfect for a backpacking trip. You can either hike up to the Lower Blue Lake (6.3 miles round trip, 1590 ft elevation gain) or you can go further and visit all three lakes. It does not matter if you are backpacking or going for a day-hike, one thing I can assure this hike will blow your mind and you will each and every moment of the hike. Hike details: (https://newsbreakapp.onelink.me/2115408369?pid=mp_561181&msource=mp_561181&docid=0ZjwydOm&af_dp=newsbreak%3A%2F%2Fopendoc%3Fdocid%3D0ZjwydOm&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsbreak.com%2Faf-landing%3Fdocid%3D0ZjwydOm).
Clear Lake
Drive a scenic 4WD dirt road and reach a beautiful alpine lake- yes, does not it sound exciting? The bumpy, rocky road will excite you in every twist and turn and you will get your reward at the top. Located in the San Juan Mountain range, this turquoise green alpine lake is a rare beauty. You can camp here, do fishing, kayaking and enjoy the scenic view. All these things make up the 4.5-mile (one way) dirt road drive even. Read the details here (https://newsbreakapp.onelink.me/2115408369?pid=mp_561181&msource=mp_561181&docid=0aCYIizP&af_dp=newsbreak%3A%2F%2Fopendoc%3Fdocid%3D0aCYIizP&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsbreak.com%2Faf-landing%3Fdocid%3D0aCYIizP).
Columbine Lake
This electric blue lake is located near Silverton, Colorado. This hike to this lake is 8.2 miles (round trip) with an elevation gain of 2700 ft. I must say this hike is strenuous and uphill for most of the part. Once you reached the lake, you will be amazed by the stunning view. Details of the hike can be found here (https://newsbreakapp.onelink.me/2115408369?pid=mp_561181&msource=mp_561181&docid=0aA9kB0m&af_dp=newsbreak%3A%2F%2Fopendoc%3Fdocid%3D0aA9kB0m&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsbreak.com%2Faf-landing%3Fdocid%3D0aA9kB0m).
Molas Lakes
Molas lake is one of those lakes you don’t have to hike or drive a dirt rugged road, still, you will get a view of the lake surrounded by mountains. This 25-acre scenic Molas Lake is located along the famous Million Dollar highway. You can also camp in the Molas Lake Campground, which is voted as one of the most scenic campgrounds in Colorado and I agree with that. The astonishing panoramic view of the lake with the mountains makes the stay at the campground wonderful. Information for camping reservation can be found here:
Molas Lake Campground Park :: Town Silverton Colorado :: Home Page
There is another small water body located along the Colorado Trail and the Million Dollar Highway. It is known as the Little Molas Lake and the location is two miles west of the Molas Lake or the Big Molas Lake. At more than 10000 ft elevation, you can camp near the lake. Please note that the campground is primitive and the last one-mile road to the lake is unpaved. During good weather conditions, this lake is accessible by most vehicles and does not need high clearance.
