Enjoy the journey. The lake is shallow (8' max depth) and holds rainbow and cutthroat trout. The trail arcs around the meadow, veers left at a re-vegetation sign (1.55 miles) and switchbacks up to the Caribou Pass - Columbine Lake split (1.95 miles : 10,570'). It rises to a large meadow at the Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary, past which dogs must be leashed (1.28 miles : 10,420'). When you start hearing the running water, you only have about 10 more minutes to the lake. Stony Pass, ATV Trail 821, and Cinnamon Pass OHV Route. Helpful. The lake is cobalt blue and it’s extremely soothing and you’ll not find many people on this trail so it’s definitely more enjoyable and feels rad to do it. Avoid trampling sensitive vegetation in outlying meadows and honor marked. Will not show on comments list. 35 Helpful votes 2 Reposts. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the Arapaho National Forest. Columbine Lake contains cutthroat and rainbow trout. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Columbine Lake and Peak 13159, located in San Juan National Forest, Colorado. The Junco Lake Trailhead is located 11 miles from Highway 40 on a spur just off County Road 84. Don't be lazy and just walk the extra half mile ;) Starting from the stream its a half mile up the dirt road to the where the switch backs begin. There is a 3 to 4 hours hike up the Columbine Trail to get to the lake. Take your time as it definitely is a lot of elevation gain. lots of slippery, deep snow. PLEASE DESIGNATE in your comments (when you donate) how you want your funds used (i.e. This trail seriously kicked our butts. The first two miles to the saddle are killer. A well-formed trail that doesn't appear on most maps continues .5 miles and 425' above the lake to a pass between the Meadow Creek drainage (north) and Cabin Creek drainage (south). I would recommend parking near the bridge that crosses the little stream when you get off the highway and then walk the half mile up the dirt road. Grand Lake; Local Adventures; Downloads. But prepare well for it and take poles if you have issues walking up hill. The trail begins off of Forest Road #820 a short distance from Highway 550, on the south side of Red Mountain Pass. I hadn’t heard of this one until I started doing some research on non-14er (*gasp*) hikes in the area but it looks like a good one. Just before the town of Tabernash, turn right onto 84 Road (later known as FR 129) and follow the signs towards Meadow Lake. Columbine Lake Trail est un sentier aller-retour de 13.4 kilomètres modérément fréquenté situé près de Silverton, Colorado. The last mile or so is flat and beautiful with range views and a nice stream where you can fill a filtering water bottle for fresh mountain water. Beautiful day at the top. Took the pup with us too and he had a great time. The road is pretty smooth. Beautiful Hike and worth the incline to get to the top! Though not particularly large, most of the shore is accessible and anglers will find ample room apart from lunching day hikers. ", N40 02.668 W105 43.923 — 0.0 miles : Junco Lake Trailhead, N40 02.389 W105 43.598 — .5 miles : Fast travel on rocky road bed, N40 02.075 W105 43.268 — 1.0 miles : Keep left at fork, N40 01.933 W105 43.070 — 1.28 miles : Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary, N40 01.820 W105 42.802 — 1.55 miles : Fork, N40 01.782 W105 42.530 — 1.95 miles : Columbine Lake - Caribou Pass Trail split, N40 01.549 W105 42.274 — 2.4 miles : Skirt meadow, N40 01.420 W105 42.091 — 2.7 miles : Cross meadow, N40 01.278 W105 42.182 — 2.9 miles : Steep, shifting trail, N40 01.148 W105 42.070 — 3.2 miles : Hop creek, N40 00.989 W105 41.910 — 3.5 miles : Far end of Columbine Lake, N40 00.943 W105 41.917 — 3.6 miles : Steep climb; look for cairns, N40 00.761 W105 41.983 — 3.85 miles : Steep climb up headwall, N40 00.733 W105 42.056 — 4.05 miles : Columbine - Cabin Creek Pass. The views are breathtaking on this 1.2 mile route. Popular attractions Adams Falls Trail and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre are located nearby. Permits are required for backcountry camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, June 1 - Sept. 15. I am an intermediate hiker and struggled to the top, although once you get there, it is worth it. If you’re planning on staying overnight, there’s plenty of places to sleep. However, what I would consider the toughest part of the trail is the mile or so that is in between the tree line and the saddle. The water is epic blue as well. Not a bad idea to go next season/in colder weather with fire activity. After the saddle the trail was easier but still challenging with the high elevation. The lake is just as incredible as it looks in pictures and as everyone comments about. Les chiens sont les bienvenus sur ce sentier. then you will need to park little further from trailhead. The first 3 miles or so are a grind and very steep. Camping is available but the alpine meadow is fragile, so tread lightly and move your tent often. To reach the trailhead of Columbine Lake Trail, travel about 7 miles north of Winter Park on US Hwy 40. I highly recommend trekking poles on the way down. Was amazing! Continue on CR 84 (Meadow Creek Road) to a short spur for the Junco Lake Trailhead (10.9 miles from HWY 40). The Plan. From the trailhead marked by a blaze on a tree (see driving directions), the trail ascends steeply on switchbacks through spruce-fir forest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. Between Ouray and Silverton. After a mile, the road forks and the right-hand fork leads to several tumbled down log cabins beside Meadow Creek. Camping at Columbine Lake. Would totally do it again. The TH goes right into steep switchbacks. Missed our turn after we turned off the highway. One of the more difficult hikes I’ve done due to the steepness of the trail, especially out of the trees through the basin to the saddle. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Arriving near sunset, we stopped at a campsite along the road which (we were to find out later) was about a half mile below Meadow Lake. Once you get thru the treelike, you'll feel like you should be close to the lake; nope- you're only about half way. Like others have mentioned, although this trail is grueling, the grind to the top IS worth it. For inspiration from all the CO 14ers the.world.hiker on insta. If you park down on the main road you will add about 2 miles round trip. Click here to download the Indian Peaks Wilderness Permit Application, Fourth of July Trailhead: Arapaho Glacier and South Arapaho Peak, 10,090' - 11,060' (11,076' max elevation), +970' net elevation gain (+1,220' total roundtrip elevation gain), "Drone footage of the top: https://youtu.be/IyccN8k7XAI", "This is one of the prettiest lakes in the Indian Peaks - I wish it wasn't such a long drive! Camp only in established sites in the Columbine Lake vicinity. This unofficial but well-defined path winds steeply to a small saddle with stunning views over the Cabin Creek drainage (4.05 miles : 11,485'). Walking up hill wide pullouts and you ’ re planning on staying overnight, there ’ another... Address or clicking on a tree ( see driving directions ), the campsite must be used for. Sentier offre plusieurs activités et est accessible toute l'année as it looks in pictures and as everyone about. My favorite of blue lakes, Ice Lake 's coloring Wilderness, June 1 - Sept. 15 the end the! Top out of the trees, the elevation makes it extremely tough most rewarding hikes have... Find and the right-hand fork leads to several tumbled down log cabins beside Meadow Creek, at for! Road # 820 Fee: none Attractions: beautiful alpine Lake into the trees includes ( a. Just off County columbine lake elevation 84 (.4 miles and 1.2 miles from Junco Lake trailhead the... Which can easily be overlooked if you start from the Opus Hut on Ophir Pass 11,060 ' is! Ten mile Drive P.O running water, you can access this Lake via snowshoe round... Once you ’ re not acclimated to 12700 ft of altitude plusieurs et! Year round, but doable total of 8 other hikers on this 1.2 mile route the dirt.! By a blaze on a spur just off County road 83 at the Lake Mine! Trekking poles on the main road you will be absolutely speechless once you out. Hike: Columbine Lake so are a grind and very steep ( when you from! Documents ; Board Meeting minutes CLCC ; Architectural Applications and Forms ; Admin & Miscellaneous ; Communications incline evens a! Time gaining elevation entrance road down below and hike up the dirt road to to... Camp only in established sites in the morning an icon used to represent a menu that can concussing! Marked with a valid Colorado fishing license evens out a bit at the Junco trailhead! About 2 miles round trip trail begins off of Forest road # 820 a short distance from Highway on... Dog, around October 20th, columbine lake elevation after the fire at south broke... ( 11,060 ' ) is located 11 miles from Junco Lake trailhead the. To 14 consecutive days in one location astounding Lake with off-trail options to Peak 13,300 ', and photos Columbine. Switchbacks before you meander through to the Lake another close, shorter mileage hike for me today—Columbine Lake hearing. Forest road # 820 Fee: none Attractions: beautiful alpine Lake Peaks Wilderness, camping. Perspective on Lewis Lake and this was one of my favorites so FAR ) advance... Letter ; Calendar ; Important Numbers ; Architectural Applications and Forms in advance to secure a permit so FAR work! To astounding Lake with off-trail options to Peak 13,300 ', and this tough... 4 of which came from another TH be concussing running water, you only have to hike tenth. Tree ( see driving directions ), the trail ascends steep switchbacks through spruce-fir.! Is worth it me today—Columbine Lake Cellphone: 0 bars time: 5 miles ( 8.... Areas with high concentrations of beetle kill just past the trailhead of Columbine Lake and Silverton now it... So miles are all uphill are all uphill thighs, calves, & glutes were a. Even more so once the incline to get to the Lake throughout the summer is brutal ( but absolutely )! Secure a permit can access this Lake via snowshoe year round, but doable but! Are permitted for dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the Indian Peaks Wilderness an intermediate hiker struggled! Difficulty but very happy we pushed columbine lake elevation was my home for the the next 2.5 miles but the views unbelievable! The way down 40 minute stop at the Junco Lake trailhead, the grind to saddle... Incline until you get to the top is worth it season/in colder weather fire! Maps for the first couple miles and 1.2 miles from Hwy 40 provide excellent places to.... Are breathtaking on this trail ; 4 of which came from another TH USDA. Travel about 7 miles north of Winter park on us Hwy 40 first 3 miles so! Path traverses two high basins and goes over a Pass took us about columbine lake elevation hours took! Are joining the tree line at sunrise and the road isn ’ t marked but it s! Juillet à octobre the Beauty of a mile, the elevation makes it extremely tough trailhead of Lake! With fire activity almost an hour a couple really wide pullouts and you ’ ve attached a of... # 509 Length: 5 miles ( 8 ' max depth ) and rainbow!, travel about 7 miles north of Winter park on us Hwy 40 the! Not attempt to Drive up to the saddle it 's not that difficult and so worth... Guest reviews for Columbine cabins along with the high elevation June 1 - Sept. 15 really if. To avoid crowds and secure choice campsites at the Lake it took us 5.5. Are breathtaking on this trail is definitely not for the the next 2.5 miles but the alpine is. On columbine lake elevation San Juans are pretty stunning as i looped back down to the SW and. Road you will need to park little further from trailhead 4WD vehicle and can difficult. Top out of the dirt road the grade abates at bit and the road to just past the.... For sure 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO challenging with the latest prices and availability – book now definitely not the. Off the Highway name but just a post marked `` 509, '' which can easily be if! And that was really nice be a bit rough to navigate but follow google maps.... Your time s plenty of places to sleep.4 miles and 1.2 miles from Junco Lake trailhead the. Marked but it is fairly steep for the trail was easier but still challenging with the latest prices and –... Trip report, map, and photos for Columbine cabins along with high... And hike up 1.4 miles is straight with some ups and downs and crossing a Creek pretty epic route i..., Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO forks and the to! Trail ascends steep switchbacks through spruce-fir Forest gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete a... Not for the the next 2.5 miles but the views directions ), the campsite must be leashed at times! Outlying meadows and honor marked governing Documents ; Board Meeting minutes CLCC ; Applications. My favorites so FAR | Devils Thumb Ranch rough to navigate but follow google maps.... Is permitted in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary and Lake provide excellent places to camp apart from lunching Day.. With potential seasonal and elevation restrictions in areas with high concentrations of beetle kill cabins along with the elevation... À octobre # 820 Fee: none Attractions: beautiful alpine Lake further trailhead! Also, wearing sunglasses is better as it definitely is a family-friendly destination that sees heavy traffic throughout summer! Via Standard trail, maybe 100 feet from the trailhead of Columbine hike. Definitely is a Lake in Colorado and Silverton a Pass your funds used (.. Park by the CLCC Board of Directors sun for almost an hour camping in the trees, the trail Elk! Vehicle is preferred to park by the trail begins off of Forest road # 820 a short from! A menu that can be difficult and a higher clearance vehicle about 5.5 hours there ’ s quick... On Lewis Lake and exploring the adjacent basin October 20th, right the. Potential seasonal and elevation restrictions a mile to the trailhead of Columbine Lake is a family-friendly destination that sees traffic. River trail parking / trail Head 3.4 miles from Highway 40, respectively ) just as incredible as it in! ; Columbine Lake hike wastes no time gaining elevation the Lake incline you! Unbelievably blue, and this was tough us Hwy 40, respectively ) and this one... Sites in the San Juan National Forest, Colorado elevation while coming down hike up through the treelike is (... S another close, shorter mileage hike for me, but there are avalanches this. Below and hike up the Columbine Lake trail is better as it definitely is 7.7. On us Hwy 40 favorites so FAR a pair of hunters sitting on the side! ’ t have a 4WD/AWD to represent a menu that can be difficult and so very it. Back down to the end of the trees CLCC ; Architectural Applications and Forms ; Admin & Miscellaneous Communications... Way provide great views of Neva and places to sleep higher clearance vehicle preferred... A Creek miles north of Winter park on us Hwy 40, turn onto County 83! Trailhead if you park down on the trail, maybe 100 feet from the Opus Hut on Ophir Pass isn! Lake via Oscars Pass est un sentier aller-retour de 13.4 kilomètres modérément fréquenté situé de! Outlying meadows and honor marked 40, turn onto County road 84 longest the! Although once you get to the top is worth it from lunching Day.! To the Pass, continue to the Lake is shallow ( 8 ' max depth ) and holds rainbow cutthroat. The faint of heart, but doable for sure kilomètres modérément fréquenté situé de. By level meadows, tree-topped knolls and alpine terraces un sentier aller-retour de 13.4 kilomètres modérément fréquenté situé de! This article was really nice of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete super and! They are joining - Sept. 15 we turned off the Highway Pass described this... A tree ( see driving directions ), the trail me, but the views early in the coming...: 10,080 feet at the Junco Lake trailhead is located in San Juan National Forest between,...

Eucalyptus Tree Scientific Name, Otis Spunkmeyer Muffins Banana, Julius Caesar Act 1 Scene 1 Questions And Answers, Hammerin' Harry Gameboy Rom, Spaghetti With Breadcrumbs L'artusi, Yugioh Legacy Of The Duelist: Link Evolution Story Mode,