Take your climb to new heights with three great hikes to beautiful alpine lakes.
Hiking in the Rocky Mountains comes with challenges, from thin air to steep pitches to unexpected thunderstorms. But overcome these, and you’ll reap the rewards to last a lifetime. Favorite pay-off for a long-busting trek? An alpine lake. At or above treeline, around 11,000 feet in Colorado, these lakes fed by snowmelt often appear crystal clear because the cold temperatures prevent algae from growing, and all the bravest swimmers. Add a dramatic theater of snow-capped peaks and colorful wildflowers, and you’ll question why people consider paradise a beach.
Beyond the prized American and Cathedral Lakes, here are our other favorite alpine lakes, accessible by trail.
LOST MAN LOOP
If you have two vehicles—or a lovely friend to shuttle you four miles up Highway 82 from the lower parking lot, 14 miles east of Aspen—the 8.8-mile Lost Man Trail offers an excellent point-to-point hike that passes by three spectacular alpine lakes. First, you’ll pass Independence Lake, headwaters of the Roaring Fork River, before topping off at 12,800 feet atop Lost Man Pass, where you can admire endless 13,000-foot peaks and the Continental Divide. Descend through the wildflowers to Lost Man Lake, a perfect picnic spot, then five more miles to your third body of water: Lost Man Reservoir, a popular fishing spot.
SAVAGE LAKES
About 30 miles from Basalt, the trailhead for Savage Lakes requires a substantial drive. With most miles along the scenic Frying Pan River, it’s well worth the commute. The hike leads to two alpine lakes in the Holy Cross Wilderness—Lower Savage Lake, surrounded by huge boulders (and one perfect for jumping off or picnicking atop) and offers stunning views of the Sawatch range, an ideal stopping point. Only four miles roundtrip and 1,200 feet of elevation gain make it a doable family adventure for motivated young hikers. However, the trail is rocky and zig zags through fallen trees from a wind event several summers ago.
THOMAS LAKES
Mount Sopris rises dramatically from the ranchlands surrounding Carbondale to just under 13,000 feet. That 6,000-foot relief gain from the Valley floor to Sopris’ twin summits represents one of the most significant vertical rises in the state. Four miles up, three lakes, known as Thomas Lakes, offer alpine views of the beloved mountain and prime swimming, picnicking and camping. Start at the trailhead on Dinkle Lake Road, a rough gravel road that branches off West Sopris Creek Road. You’ll hike through aspens, spruce, open meadows and more on the almost-eight-mile roundtrip hike to Thomas Lakes.
Photography by: PHOTO BY WANDERLUSTER/GETTY IMAGES, PHOTO BY C2 PHOTOGRAPHY, VEGETABLE IMAGE BY RUDISILL/ISTOCK, BERRIES PHOTO BY KARANDAEV/ISTOCK
