ASCEND TO THESE ALPINE LAKES FOR A REFRESHING VIEW

By Jay McKinney

With the Rocky Mountains splitting right through the state, Colorado is home to over 2,000 alpine lakes. The crystal-clear waters nestled among the towering mountain scenery make each one beautiful and they’re often the ideal final destination for hikers. Here are nine bodies of water that will have you reaching for your camera and serve as a reminder of just how stunning Colorado is.

Sandbeach Lake

There’s no shortage of incredible alpine lakes to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park, but this one should be on everyone’s list. It’s one of the park’s deepest lakes at roughly 50 feet and the extensive sandy shore provides a great place to relax after completing the strenuous hike that totals roughly 8.5 miles round trip. Camping is available along the trail and at the lake, but a permit is required.

Lake Isabelle

With a round-trip distance just over 4 miles and a moderate elevation gain, the hike to Lake Isabelle is not too difficult but very rewarding. To access the well-marked Long Lake Trailhead, park at the Brainard Lake Recreational Area. The parking costs $10 and online reservations are required starting this year. This hike leads into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, which is known for its beautiful scenery. Upon reaching Lake Isabelle, hikers can continue onward to Isabelle Glacier if they choose.

Lower Boulder Lake

Located within the Eagles Nest Wilderness outside of Silverthorne, Lower Boulder Lake is a great day hike that clocks in at just over 5 miles round trip. The trail is praised for its beautiful meadows, panoramic views and relative solitude compared to other nearby hikes in the Silverthorne area. One unusual feature of the trail is that it peaks in elevation before the destination, so the trek in and out both require some strenuous hiking. Thankfully, the scenery along the way makes up for it. Late July is often the best time to view a sea of wildflowers.

Savage Lakes

The hike to Savage Lakes in the Holy Cross Wilderness is a manageable day hike at just 4 miles round trip. Most of the trail wanders through the shaded conifer forest and the view doesn’t open up until reaching the lower of the two bodies of water. Due to the dense forest, the trail can hold onto large snow drifts into June so it may be best to do later in the summer. Upon reaching the lower lake, continue on the trail that borders the left side of the lake and Upper Savage Lake is a short distance further.

Mirror Lake

With the incredible backdrop of Lone Eagle Peak that steals the spotlight, one could make the case that this is arguably the most scenic alpine lake in the state. To reach Mirror Lake, start at Monarch Lake Trailhead and begin the strenuous trek into the Indian Peaks Wilderness that’s over 14 miles round trip. As a result, it’s not a bad idea to secure a permit to camp in the wilderness and spread it out over two days. Along the way there are numerous waterfalls, great places to stop and fish, and an abundance of other photographic scenes. One of many lakes named Crater Lake is also located nearby.

Comanche Lake

There are two challenging routes one can take to reach Comanche Lake outside the town of Westcliffe. One option is the Venable-Comanche loop that is nearly 13 miles, while the other option is to take the shorter but more rigorous out-and-back Comanche Trail that is just over 8 miles round trip. The loop is the recommended route but involves some planning as there are trails that split off and must be followed to reach the lake. Given its distance from the Front Range, hikers will often find themselves alone on the trail and can have the backcountry excursion to themselves.

Ice Lake

In the heart of the San Juan Mountains, the trek to Ice Lake is a relatively strenuous climb at approximately 7.5 miles round trip. Passing by waterfalls and open meadows, the terrain offers an abundance of photo opportunities. Since the trail also climbs over 2,000 feet in elevation, it’s not a bad idea to stop and snap a few shots. The beauty of the hike makes Ice Lake a popular destination and solitude is seldom during the summer months.

Sky Pond

The hike to Sky Pond is the quintessential Rocky Mountain National Park experience. At roughly 9 miles round trip, it can be completed in a day, and hikers will be rewarded with numerous park attractions along the way. It’s worth stopping at Alberta Falls, The Loch and Lake of Glass before reaching the final destination of Sky Pond. Sitting at nearly 11,000 feet, the lake is surrounded by jagged mountain scenery that is otherworldly and offers one of the best views in the park.

Ptarmigan Lake

A popular hike among locals and fishermen, Ptarmigan Lake outside of Buena Vista is a great day hike at nearly 6 miles round trip. The lake sits at 12,147 feet and is abundant with wildlife including mountain goats, marmots and the ptarmigans for which the lake is named. Anglers are attracted to the location due to its easy access and healthy population of cutthroat trout. Due to the lake’s popularity and limited parking space at the trailhead, it can’t hurt to arrive early.