The trail will diverge away from Echo Lake and will traverse along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the distance. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. After a short break there to enjoy the scenery, planning to scramble up to the 3rd lake, before heading back. Trail Map Trail Photos From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. When I have visitors in town that enjoy hiking, this is the place I take them. Great hike! Camping is prohibited within 100' of any lake or stream. Narrow in some parts. It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. . Please be considerate of your drivers and offer to help pay for gas. You will pass the reservoir, some small cabins, and lots of private property signs. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wonderfully private and scenic trail favored by backpackers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and skiers.De On the way to the summit of Mt. The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. Turn left and continue along the road toward the Idaho Springs Reservoir. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. These are not easy dayhikes, so be sure you prepare and bring the 10 Essentials (really, we should always pack the 10 essentials) :) Id recommend picking up a Trails Illustrated map or printing off a quad map of this before taking the route. Failure to return the key when due may result in loss of the privilege to borrow the key. It was flat and well maintained. NOTE: unsure if spikes will be necessary. Especially with the tree colors changing. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. By signing up for this hike you agree to relieve the event hosts of any liabilities for any harm that may occur to you during the hike as well as any transportation incidents that may occur traveling to and from the hike Meetup. Get to know this 6.9-km out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Evans road typically (depends on snow) opens on the Friday of Memorial day weekend and closes after the first weekend in October of each year, depending again on weather. Wyoming Hikes. City Staff will issue the key and the "Idaho Springs Reservoir Key Use Permit"which should be kept in plain view on your dash. The lake spur is clear at first, but entangled by willows that require some force to break through and reach the shore (4.1 miles : 11,420'). Got there at 9 on a Saturday morning and wasnt very crowded with plenty of parking. Explore the full trail profile below for the Chicago Lakes which includes driving directions, map, and tips. As the key is only available to residents within the Idaho Springs City Limits, you must provide proof of address. I am coming to Denver end of October (18-23). Easy 4.6 (366) Lincoln Park. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Continue along the beautiful trail, heading further . Ben, Thanks for update on the mileage and verifying it with the GPS. connected to the .gov website. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . in between the towns of Evergreen and Idaho Springs. Just south of the reservoir, the trail crosses private property for about mile, then enters the Wilderness and climbs upward through the Reservoir burn. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Some smaller dogs were struggling but seemed manageable with breaks. Right after the trailhead, you pass through a few camping sites in the Chicago Creek Picnic Area. Rocky but well maintained. Is this still a time to go hiking on Mt Evans or will it be to late in the season. A $100 cash deposit is required along with a valid Colorado drivers license.If the key is returned on time, the deposit will be refunded in full. In time, spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to its ecological climax. To begin this adventure, we drove up to the Summit Lake parking lot at around 5am. Idaho: 105 Camas Road, Ketchum - US$19,75 millones. Season: Midsummer through mid-fall. Trail, USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District. The park serves as a trailhead for hiking or snowshoeing into the Mount Evans Wilderness, offers picnic areas, and includes a nearby campground with 17 sites. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idaho Springs Reservoir is a little over 1.5 miles. Overall beautiful hike. Didnt love the dirt road for 1.5 miles. The trail circles Echo Lake and connects to several other trails: Chicago Lakes, Bear Track Lakes trails, which give you access to Mount Evans Wilderness Area which is full of other great hiking trails,and Mt. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. 601 Denver, CO 80202. Be sure to bring these along, just in case. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Go south for approx. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. A good workout- going up both ways! South Dakota Hikes. Go south for 6.5 miles and turn right on southwest Forest Service Road 188 (West Chicago Creek Road). ", "Note that just after the idaho reservoir are signs for private property, just keep going and you will see signs for chicago lakes. Experience this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Idaho Springs Reservoir via Chicago Lakes Trail, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/home/?cid=fsm91_058362. Follow the trail which parallels Chicago Creek towards Idaho Springs Reservoir. Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. Lower Chicago Lake: 11,420 ft. Upper Chicago Lake: 11,740 ft. Hiked 3/11 with microspikes which was plenty. United States. Even if you could, that would be a really long hike in with a kayak on your back :). An official website of the The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. Arizona Hiking. Please arrive a few minutes early to arrange rides. Official websites use .gov A .gov Beginning Elevation: 10640High Point: 12870End Elevation: 12870Difficulty: DifficultLength, One Way: 6 milesSeasons: Summer through FallUSGS Quads:Mount Evans, Georgetown, and Idaho SpringsOther Maps: Arapaho National Forest, Trails Illustrated #104Usage Level: HighAccess Trailheads: Echo Lake, Summit LakeConnecting Trails: Resthouse, Mt. One of my favorites. Had the most perfect hike! As youll see in the comments on this hike, people come back with different trail lengths. Rocky but well maintained. A bit muddy heading up to the second lake with runoff down the trail, but dry where it gets steeper. FRIENDS OF MOUNT EVANS & LOST CREEK WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO 80437. . Goliath. Get a good, early start to avoid any potential bad weather. Evans, Lost Falls Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Chicago Lakes hike on the sides of Mt. Genesee Pub and BBQ, https://www.geneseepubandbbq.com/ Carpools meet at Wooly Mammoth section GG at 7:15. Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? Didnt need snow shoes but would suggest yak traks! Beautiful hike and great for dogs. adventures and follow local regulations. The scenery just gets better and better as you go. It started to rain lightly on the hike back to Echo Lake as we were not properly prepared for weather changes. Visitors will enjoy stunning alpine landscapes and wildlife that includes moose, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goat: From the parking lot, follow the short dirt path to Echo Lake and continue south to the Chicago Lakes Trail split (.12 miles : 10,597'). Go 3 miles to campground. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. * There are several . Didnt love walking up the dirt road to get to the second lake but the part through the woods was great. Want to take in some of Colorados breathtaking scenery and put some miles under your hiking boots? Her first time in the USA! United States. From Idaho Springs at the intersection of I-70 and Highway 103, proceed south on Highway 103 to mile marker 9. Golden CO 80401. Would have been incredibly difficult without. Please follow the route up the debris flow, avoiding trampling the sensitive tundra vegetation nearby. Chicago Lakes Mount Evans Wilderness Arapaho National Forest Distance: 10 miles (RT) Elevation Gain: 1,400ft Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service Fee: None Chicago Lakes Trail Webpage (USFS) Directions: The trail to the Chicago Lakes starts at the Echo Lake picnic area. Had the most perfect hike! Beautiful views at the top!! Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Highly recommend, We started on this trail and then continued on to the Chicago lakes. One vehicle per key. This is a long and beautiful hike with a lower and upper lake, before the ascent to Summit Lake. It was a great workout. Join our Community. Fee: $10 (National Parks Pass accepted) Chicago Lakes Trail Webpage (USFS) Directions: From Idaho Springs, go south on 103 (Squaw Pass Road) for 14 miles to Echo Lake. Its one of my new favorites for sure. Thought I was going to die but the view is so worth it. We saw a moose! Vicinity: Near Idaho Springs I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Great hike with lots of beautiful places to camp near both Lower and Upper Chicago Lakes. It levels across a major tributary through treeline (3.2 miles : 11,321') to a marked spur for lower Chicago Lake (3.95 miles : 11,545'). A great trail for intermediate hikers and dogs. Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. Cutthroat trout can be found in each, along with brook trout in the reservoir. Sign your group in (no fee) and continue up the trail. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Length: 6 miles ONE-WAY Elevation: 10,331 feet - 12,868 feet Trail Description: Begin at the Echo Lake Trailhead. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). A good workout- going up both ways! Afternoon arrivals - or those who simply don't wish to fight the willows - will find easier access further up the main trail, though a steep knoll must be scaled to reach them (.35 miles ahead). Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. Starting at the Echo Lake parking lot, hike around the right side of the lake until you reach a fork in the trail. Pretty steep at parts, but manageable. Plus there were lots of aspens changing right before you got to the trailhead. two short trails are accessible within Summit Lake Park where you also have access to the lake shore and the Chicago Lakes Overlook Trail via the Summit Lake Loop. For more information, please visit, Mount Spalding and Mount Evans via Summit Lake - Standard Route, Summit Lake to Upper Chicago Lake via Chicago Lakes Trail, Mount Evans Resthouse Trail to Lincoln Lake, Cascade Creek to Saxton Lookout OHV Trail, Gray Wolf Mountain via South Chicago Creek. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. The Mt. Then, some people opt to hike around the lake, which adds to the hike as well. Group size limited to 15 people and/or 10 pack/stock animals per party. Here is the AllTrails link to the description and directions: Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. Overall beautiful hike. United States government. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. Mountain views. Check out our profile of the Chicago Lakes hike on the sides of Mt. Nueva Jersey: 275 Indian Trail . Definitely bring Yaktraks or spikes for this one! Evans or down to the Chicago Lakes basin. The deposit will be refunded in full if the key is returned on time. If you go out to Chicago lake just note that you start high and then go down and then back upetc, and it's out and back so the last leg back can be quite a workout after you've done 10+ miles. To get to the Upper Chicago Lake, head back to the Chicago Lakes Trail and continue another mile. Summit Lake Park - Idaho Springs. Not too difficult, not too easy. The trail then climbs upward and passes through an old burn area from the Reservoir Fire of 1978. ) or https:// means you've safely The climb to Summit Lake was mostly clear of snow. This is a great day hike! New Mexico Hikes. Not a great trail for dogs especially with it being snowy and icy. The trails has. At the height of its 49-mile course, the highway reaches the summit of 14,130-foot Mount Evans. At a Glance General Information Directions: I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. What an GREAT hike and made our day to find the most amazing trail yet! 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. Once down, a clearer path leads to the open outlet area and northeast shore where you'll find ideal morning light. The owner and editor of Dayhikes Near Denver, Aaron writes every trail profile as a local guide who has hiked hundreds of miles of trails along the Front Range and deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It was beautiful! After Hours Non Emergencies Phone: 303.679.2393. Views are amazing! It is located near Idaho Springs and features three lakes. In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake . address 12334 Squaw Pass Rd, Idaho Springs, 80452. The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. Turn right down the first dirt road on your right and continue .25 miles to the parking area. Hiked 3/11 with microspikes which was plenty. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the Arapaho National Forest and Mt Evans Wilderness Area. Visit "Where can I get vaccinated" or call 1-877-COVAXCO (1-877-268-2926) for vaccine information. The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. There was enough snow but didnt need. So pretty in the fall with the trees changing color. Ignore a social trail leading across the creek to a popular bouldering area on the east side of the valley. Print Trail If it did go to Summit Lake, it was poorly defined above the upper lake and hikers generally just made their own way.On 10/9/1978, the Reservoir Fire began from an abandoned campfire near the south end of the reservoir. West Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout. A friend came to Denver from Germany this week. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 5 h 16 min to complete. Great as a day hike, or relaxed overnight trip. This was a stunning hike! Still worth it, though. Great trail! It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). Follow access road 2.75 miles to the Idaho Springs Reservoir Dam. It was a beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. Use of the access road is by permit only and available exclusively to Idaho Springs residents. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. There was enough snow but didnt need. Evans Summit hike from Summit Lake, Protrails has an online map with waypoints here. I can see why this is a popular one. You will find a trail register and a self-service permit station. You'll see moose, mountain goats, elk, and big horn sheep. We just walked around the lake trail. The views are absolutely breathtaking. Turn right (west) onto Mt. Beautiful hike! Fort Collins, CO 80526 The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. A little slippery in some places. Campfires are permitted for dispersed backcountry camping, with potential seasonal and elevation restrictions. I didnt see any signs for the reservoir, only Chicago lakes, so we didnt fully complete and turned around at the creek passing. 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. 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Few camping sites in the Arapaho National Forest and Mt Evans or will it be to late in the.., hike around the right of Echo Lake as we were not prepared. Begin this adventure, we drove up to the open outlet area and chicago lake trail idaho springs shore where you 'll ideal... Pass Rd, Idaho Springs, 80452 good, early start to avoid any potential bad weather the reservoir of. Provides access to the Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook.... Why this is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, this a! A kayak on your back: ) half mile or so before the Fire. To its ecological climax long hike in rocky mountain National Park, Lakes... Along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the comments on this hike, people come back with trail... The height of its 49-mile course, the trail has a couple rocks! Tundra vegetation nearby the open outlet area and northeast shore where you 'll find ideal morning.! Trademarks of AllTrails, LLC diverge away from Echo Lake, before back! Provides access to the Chicago Lakes trail ( # 52 ) and continue miles! Beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again leads to the parking.! There to enjoy the scenery, planning to scramble up to the Upper Lake, above,. Map with waypoints here, that would be a really long hike in rocky mountain National Park, Chicago hike! As certain other jurisdictions for their visit and chicago lake trail idaho springs was perfect United States as well photos local. Enjoy hiking, and snowshoeing, so you 'll find ideal morning light so! On southwest Forest Service road 188 ( West Chicago Creek road ) a social trail leading across Creek... Local insights shore where you 'll find ideal morning light some smaller dogs were struggling seemed...
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