We had about 3 or 4 minutes to enjoy the views before the storm clouds, hail, and thunder came out of no where and forced us to leave. Ice Lake Basin Trail [CLOSED] is a 9.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Ophir, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The colors seem surreal, a beautiful turquoise lake, surrounded by high peaks. The explosive display captivates many viewers during this short summer spectacle. Cobbett Lake, one of 300 lakes on Colorado's Grand Mesa, near Cedaredge, CO A hiker explores one of the Grand Mesa's 300 lakes Within the Grand Mesa National Forest are 300 lakes and reservoirs, a network of shorelines and waterside retreats … Weather was perfect. Overall a great hike but it took us 8 hours and we were totally exhausted when we were done. It is an absolutely amazing sight! Very few snow patches. We finished around 730 pm. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. Jan 30, 2020 - Looking for the best Colorado hikes? It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. Note: As of October 20, 2020, this trail is currently CLOSED as Ice Fire Starts Near Ice Lakes Trailhead. Public entry into … A wonderful waterfall can be seen around 0.9 miles from the trailhead (watch for slippery rocks). Words can not describe how gorgeous and pristine it Beautiful, epic, and grand, it has it all. The hike up to Ice Lake and Island Lake in Colorado's San Juan Mountains is truly an amazing one. The hike is steep to the second step of the basin where Ice Lake is located, but it is well worth it as the deep blue of the lake is unparalleled. Second half is just up hill so breaks were necessary. Distance: 7 miles out and back Difficulty: Challenging Elevation Gain: 2,562 Ft Time: 5 hours. This hike was pretty challenging even for someone who hikes in Colorado a lot. The trail is initially hard to see but becomes better defined further up the slope. This was a bucket list item for me as a trail runner and it didn't disappoint. We arrived at the trailhead around 745am. And yes....we went for a swim which is HIGHLY recommended when you get to Ice Lake. The view alone is worth the hike, but continuing the loop to the nearby Island Lake is hard to miss. Stony Pass, ATV Trail 821, and Cinnamon Pass OHV Route, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/recarea/?recid=42984&actid=50. As you walk around the lake and change your elevation the colors change. Ice Lake and Island Lake are gorgeous high-alpine mountain lakes located near our neighboring town of Silverton. You’ll pass through aspen, conifers, and into two distinct basins above the … The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until September. Beautiful fall colors. Some tricky scrambling on a cliff edge just after Ice Lake - but do it slowly, it will be fine. Also, if you are looking for camping in the area, South Mineral Campground is nearby and an excellent choice for longer stays in this section of the San Juan Mountains. Must do this hike! Highly recommend, even though the trail is really busy on weekends. This includes 45 mins - 1 hour stops to wind down and decompress at each of the lakes. Why Hike Ice Lakes. A great choice is crossing the outflow stream from Ice Lake - there are several places to cross and an obvious trail heading back out of the basin to the left of where you entered - follow this path up another 250' and .5 mile to a smaller basin and the beautiful Island Lake at 12,400'. We went to Ice Lake and then up to Island Lake and followed to “loop” trail down and it totaled 9 miles. Head to Silverton over Red Mountain Pass, before you reach the town, there is a turn off for South Mineral Campground. Not sure which route is easier but we got to see more of island lake this way. This place, it’s absolutely unreal and surreal. Majestic trail and views - highly recommend! Ice Lakes Basin provides perhaps the best bang for your buck on an effort vs scenery perspective in all of Colorado. If anyone is hiking this trail soon and up for the challenge of searching for it, you would be legendary. I will pay a reward if found and returned with memory card. Ice Lake in the San Juan Mountains. I saw lots of folks struggling on the way down post sunset , so if you are not an active hiker , think twice before taking up the hike. If you hike regularly you can do this! To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff to Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north on Highway 550 to County Road 7, located between mile markers 72 and 73. Did this hike on Saturday 9/26. High in the mountains of southwest Colorado sit a pair of alpine lakes. From there, there’s a connecting trail between the two lakes up top. The Ice Lakes Basin Trail is located near Silverton, Colorado, within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest. Directions: This stunning aquamarine turquoise lake is set in a cirque of 13,000’ foot peaks that rise all around, the most prominent being US Grant Peak. The trailhead parking and campground lot are also visible some 2,300 feet below. Island lake Silverton Colorado Ice lakes basin - Duration: 1:01. This hike is commonly hiked from June – October since snow will make this a much more challenging (and potentially less beautiful) hike. Stunning views in every direction! Like Island, Ice is fed by high elevation snowmelt, and both are somewhat cloudy due to a suspension of finely ground rocks, although there are no glaciers nearby. One Colorado destination known for its jaw-dropping beauty is Island Lake in Southwest Colorado near Silverton. The mountains are so majestic that they absolutely blow your mind and the endless greenery is … If you really do feel freaked out people make a little trail to cut below it without even having to navigate the rocks. HIKE TO: Island Lake & Ice Lake TRAIL: Ice Lake Trail MILES: 7.61 mi TIME: 2 night (2:38 hr in to Island Lake; 1:55 hr out from Ice Lake) DATE I WENT: 8/30/19 - 9/1/19 DIFFICULTY: somewhat strenuous ELEVATION: 12403 ft ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 2525 / 2483 ft HIKE PERMIT: no LOCATION: San Juan National Forest, Colorado Great (tough) day of hiking but oh, so worth it! For lower Ice Lakes, it’s 1.2 miles and 900 feet of elevation gain (another 0.5 miles takes you to the highest lake). Bring lots and lots of water. Beautiful lakes and waterfalls. Note: This trail is currently still CLOSED as of December 20, 2020 due to damage from the Ice Fire. Beautiful, epic, and grand, it has it all. If you feel adventurous and choose to go to Island Lake you continue on the path from Ice Lake that heads right and Island Lake is another 3/4 of a mile off the trail. Ice Lake has to be one of the most spectacular destinations for the hiker that wants an experience to remember. We hiked up the main trail to Ice Lake, then over to Island Lake, and came back to the main trail via the Island Lake trail. Few people on weekdays. A beautiful hike but I found it to be pretty tough towards the top. But honestly my favorite hike in Colorado and possibly the four corners area. Get there early, no parking by 9am! Ice Lake is so clear and blue that you can see the fish swimming 20 feet below the surface, it really is one of the most magnificent lakes around. Currently Closed due to Ice Fire. We turned right at the fork and did island first. © 2020 Outdoor Project. Trail Description: The hike to Ice Lakes begins from the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. As the warmer months hit, glaciers melt, thus filling these pools with their water. Ice Lakes Trail: Ice lake and island lake hike - See 95 traveler reviews, 154 candid photos, and great deals for Silverton, CO, at Tripadvisor. It is VERY steep at times, and I would recommend poles if you’re not an experienced hiker. Awesome trail! Here’s a description on how to get to the lakes. Basically, it’s the same. Just north of Silverton, CO, lies the South Mineral Valley which is reachable down a well maintained, and paved dirt … It is quite steep at some points, and windy when we got all the way up, so be sure to dress for it! Took us about 8 hours to complete the hike. Ice Lake and Island Lake are gorgeous high-alpine mountain lakes located near our neighboring town of Silverton. All rights reserved. It is steep but the first half had steep sections that flatten out for a few minutes which help you catch your breath! Kind of took away from the experience with the crows but i’m sure most weekends are not this busy! Here’s a description on how to get to the lakes. I recommend completing all 3 lakes which includes Ice lake, Fueller lake and island lake. In earlier season, you may have snow on this part of the ascent so ice axe and/or micro-spikes would be handy. This is a beautiful trail, but there were a ton of people out, even the week after Labor Day and after the first snow. Share with; Share with; Some more footage from summer 2019! Description: Ice Lakes Basin is at the headwaters of Mineral Creek outside of Silverton, Colorado. The flat area is about a half-mile long and a quarter-mile wide, with the Lower Ice Lake lying on its southern side. The trek up to Ice Lake Basin is short, steep, but not technical. In heading left, we hiked our tired legs straight to Ice Lake, and completely missed Island Lake. Cobbett Lake, one of 300 lakes on Colorado's Grand Mesa, near Cedaredge, CO A hiker explores one of the Grand Mesa's 300 lakes Within the Grand Mesa National Forest are 300 lakes and reservoirs, a network of shorelines and waterside retreats … Hope to do it again someday. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Ice Lakes Trail, Silverton Picture: Path back down from Island Lake to Ice Lake - Check out Tripadvisor members' 2,368 candid photos and videos. The Ice Lakes Basin Trail is located near Silverton, Colorado, within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest.The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground.The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W … Very difficult if you aren’t used to the elevation, as there is so much climbing. Yet another challenging hike on the records. The largest lake on the Grand Mesa is an extremely popular lake located between Mesa and Cedaredge, CO. Facilities include two campgrounds, a boat launch, fish cleaning station and a privately owned/operated lodge on the north side of the lake offering rustic cabins, motel rooms, food, fuel, bait and tackle, fishing licenses, and boat rentals. Wow what a crew! Description for Island Lake, Delta County, Colorado Island Lake is a reservoir located just 10 miles from Cedaredge, in Delta County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Grand Mesa, CO. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including rainbow trout and brook trout here. Enjoy! If you go right to Island, it is 1.1 miles and 1,000 feet. Plenty of streams along the way for pups! Directions: Trail is in perfect condition and there was no snow. Unfortunately ppl still are swimming in the lake and the ecosystem is slowly degrading... so try not to swim up there! Stunning. That said, ice lake is beautiful and so is island lake. Did this labor day weekend and it was packed full of tourists who did not look like they knew what they were doing. This hike is a must for this area. Very difficult if you aren’t used to the elevation, as there is so much climbing. Golden Colorado wildflowers fill the grassy slopes near Island Lake. There was still snow by Island lake when we visited in August. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. I would recommend going down on the way there and up on the way back. It’s a little rocky and may be crouching down to get to the next foot hold but it’s lasts less than 5 minutes. There were tons of people coming down but after awhile it seemed like we almost had the area to ourselves. We did the hike one day, enjoyed it so much, we wanted to do it again the next day. Mar 14, 2018 - Note: As of October 20, 2020, this trail is currently CLOSED as Ice Fire Starts Near Ice Lakes Trailhead. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground. Although it’s hard to go wrong, here’s a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. The trail continues on the first step of this double basin, and a beautiful meadow opens up, surrounded by almost vertical cliffs and a towering waterfall on the right. Kurt Linford 4,212 views. All round 10 out of 10. Be careful, the weather can change very fast. The electric, mineral-rich water beckons. I had been aiming for Ice Lakes Basin and Island Lake in Colorado for around a year and in the middle of August, I finally nailed it! But! Hard with the elevation gain. Exploring Island & Ice Lakes - San Juan Mountains, Colorado Exploring Island & Ice Lakes - San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, California. You need a jacket once you make it to the lakes, as there is some wind-chill if you're not moving around. The fire area includes the Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and backpacking and is best used from April until September. The one in the middle is most beautiful. From the Ice Lakes basin Trailhead, this 8 mile round trip trail with 3000 feet of elevation gain will bring you to the Ice Lakes Basin with an abundance of beautiful lakes, especially Island Lake and Ice Lake. This also saved the best (Icelake) for the end. Also make sure you have sunglasses and layers. Public entry into this area is prohibited for the safety of users. This was a great trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This past February, two men died in an accident when the 15,000-pound Sno-Cat they were driving on a frozen Island Lake crashed through the ice. Bring lots of water and snacks, it is uphill the whole way! Tucked away in the San Juan National Forest, Island Lake is one of four bright blue lakes that hikers trek to in the Upper Ice Lake Basin. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hiking the Fourth of July Trail in Colorado - Duration: 3:16. Hiked this trail on Monday 09/21/2020 and lost my DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone. I also recommend trekking poles to protect your knees on the way down, but this is a personal preference. It is moderately difficult, clocking in right at 8 miles with a total 3,000 feet of elevation gain, but the waterfalls, fantastic lakes, and wonderful views below and above the tree line are absolutely fantastic. Island Lake: Beautiful hike, next to Ice Lakes. Hike to the west end of Island Lake on the south side. Distance: 8.1 miles Elevation: 3,093 feet Difficulty: Difficult Trail Summary: Ice Lake & Island Lake are a pair of high alpine lakes located just outside of Silverton, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Region This lower basin serves as a confluence for three small streams that pour in from the lakes above: Island Lake, Ice Lake, and Fuller Lake. Note that the hiking trail to Ice Lake and Island Lake is not very well marked. There are many people on the trail, but that gets much much worse later in the day. While there is little reprieve from the steady uphill nature of this hike, both the journey and destination make every step worthwhile. I am terrified of heights and only stick to class one 14ers and did not think this was bad. This can also serve as a trailhead of Fuller, Vermilion, and Golden Horn. A Colorado hidden gem!!! Stay on the left to get to Ice Lake. 1:01. Ice Lakes Basin sits at an elevation of 12,500 ft, and the trail begins at 9,900 ft. Because of this, some people get elevation sickness or have a hard time breathing on this hike, … Hi Stacy, This route was done as a loop, so it is 8 miles total. Known for its alpine lakes, Colorado has a wide-variety of trails and lake scenery to choose from. In fact, these lakes are so blue because of the presence of something floating in the water. Through a stunning array of alpine wildflowers, the Ice Lakes trail winds through old growth forest, sub alpine meadows, and up to alpine tundra. The fire is located west from Silverton, CO, near Ice Lakes Trailhead, on the north side of the South Mineral Road. In mid-October 2020, Ice Fire ripped through the bottom portion of the Ice Lakes Trail, as well as areas east of the trail. The hike at times was a little daunting, but the reward of seeing Ice Lake made it worth it. Please DM on insta and I will give specifics and with map instructions. The biggest lake of the upper basin is reached by a 0.6 mile side trail that forks north just before Ice Lake, crossing a sloping hillside, round a rocky point then descending slightly to the shore. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. We had to hike the last 25 mins of the hike in the dark which wasn’t too bad. Yes, the … The trail is primarily used for hiking, rock climbing, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until September. This is one of my favorite hikes, but do yourself a favor and start early. There isn’t shade after you pass timer line. One of the prettiest places in Southwestern Colorado was hiked by our friend Bebe, from The River Club. 9NEWS Producer Will Swope shares his experience climbing them. Check out Ice Lakes and Island Lake near Silverton, Colorado, for wildflowers, waterfalls, and stunning alpine scenery. Either a light long sleeve shirt or a tank top will be great once the sun and activity start heating you up. Absolutely stunning hike. Another iconic alpine lake hike in Colorado, Ice Lake brings you unbelievable brilliant blue waters. The hike to the Island Lake lake is just over half a mile and gains some 200 feet of elevation. Ice Lake is one of the gems of Colorado with its bright blue, almost Carribean looking, water. Island Lake Via Ice Lakes Trail [CLOSED] is a 7.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Ophir, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The water in Ice Lake is some of the bluest I've ever seen! In fact, alpine lakes in Colorado are so famous, nearly every mountain hike passes a pristine lake nestled in the mountains. At Ice Lake you'll see some of the bluest water around, and at Island Lake, one of the most unique lake formations in Colorado. There is a book to sign in at the trailhead, which is a good idea, especially weekdays when there aren't usually many people on the trail. 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