Lower Fish Creek Falls (7,420′), Park Range

by Mike Langenkamp | May 22, 2022 | Dog Friendly, Easy Hikes, Park Range, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Lower Fish Creek Falls (7,420′), Park Range

Lower Fish Creek Falls is a 283′ waterfall located about 5 miles to the east of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. There are two trails which provide great views of the falls. First is the Fish Creek Falls Overlook, a 1/4 mile handicapped-friendly accessible trail, which is relatively flat. The second trail, Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Trail , is also 1/4 mile long but drops 100′ down to a foot bridge at the base of the falls.

Juat a 1/2 hour south of Steamboat Springs is the town of Yampa, the eastern end of the Flat Top Scenic Byway. The Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway (County Road 8), runs through the northern portion of the Flat Tops Wilderness.

Trail Stats

Lower Fish Creek Falls

Trailhead: Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Trail
Round trip: .5 miles / .8 km
Elevation: 7,520′ – 7,420′ / 2,292 m – 2,262 m
County: Routt
Nat’l Forest: Routt

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Area

The Overlook trail is flat and paved the whole way

The Overlook trail is handicap accessible

Fish Creek Falls from the Overlook trail

283′ Lower Fish Creek Falls

Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Trail

A picnic area near the trailhead

The trail winds through aspen and evergreen forests

Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Trail nearing the falls

May morning at Fish Creek Falls

View from the foot bridge

Spring snow melt has the falls roaring

Video Tour

Trail Directions

There are two hiking trails from the parking lot at the end of Fish Creek Fall Road.

Fish Creek Falls Overlook: 1/4 of a mile (400 m) of paved trail which is handicap accesible and relatively flat. It ends at a viewing station where the entirety of the falls can be seen.

Fish Creek Falls: the 1/4 mile trail goes down into the U-shaped valley formed by glaciers. At the bottom of the valley is a foot bridge over Fish Creek with a close up view of the falls. The trail continues on to Upper Fish Creek Falls and then to the Wyoming Trail, a long trail running the northwestern mountains of Colorado to Wyoming.

Trailhead Directions

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Bierstadt Lake (9,470′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Apr 24, 2022 | Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Bierstadt Lake (9,470′), Front Range

Bierstadt Lake sits atop a forested moraine, which is a ridge composed of material left behind thousands of years ago by receding glaciers. The lake was formed when a dam was made from glacial debris deposits. Water from the lake drains into Mill Creek within the Mill Creek basin, a flat valley with a scenic meadow.

The lake’s east end provides the best look at the Continental Divide, with standouts such as Otis Peak (12,486′), Hallet Peak (12,713′), Flattop Mountain (12,324′), Ptarmigan Point (12,363′) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129′).

Trail Stats

Bierstadt Lake

Trailhead: Bierstadt Lake
Round trip: 3.2 miles / 5.1 km
Elevation: 8,904′- 9,470′ / 2,714 m – 2,886 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPX with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Bear Lake Rd below winding it’s way to Glacier Gorge

View west from the switchback trail

View of Mt Meeker, Longs Peak, and Thatchtop Mountain

View of the Continental Divide from the trail

View to the east from the trail

Northeastern view of Bierstadt Lake

Notchtop Mountain in the center

View northwest from the lake

Spring melt has started

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Snowy Otis Peak, Hallet Peak, and Flattop Mountain

Bierstadt Lake surrounded by a heavy forest

The forest surrounding Bierstadt Lake

View of Longs Peak from Bierstadt Lake

Lunch with a view

Shoreline of Bierstadt Lake

Chipmunk investigating the intruder

Chipmunks are common in the park

View along the northern shoreline

On top of the moraine heading to Bierstadt Lake

Deep snow in the woods in late April

Grreat views west along the Bierstadt trail

Found along the trail

Video Tour

Trail Directions

An uphill 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail with switchbacks that begins at the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead. A 0.6-mile (0.97 km) trail encircles the subalpine lake, which has a sandy beach along the eastern portion, offering the most spectacular views.

Most of the elevation gain occurs in the first three-quarters of a mile. You enter a pine forest which turns to sage with unobstructed views as you gain elevation. At the top of the moraine the trail transitions back into a dense forest again. The trail gets relatively flat as you continue to the lake.

Trailhead Directions

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Mt Sniktau (13,234′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jan 23, 2022 | Difficult Hikes, Dog Friendly, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Mt Sniktau (13,234′), Front Range

Mount Sniktau sits just east of the Continental Divide on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The summit is located less than a mile south of Interstate 70, and east of the Eisenhower Tunnel. Despite being close to an Interstate and being one of the windiest places in Colorado, Mt Sniktau made the list because of the epic views from the summit.

From the ridge, you will see Loveland Pass below at 11,990 ft (3,655 m), Torreys Peak (14,267′), with Grays Peak (14,270′) popping up behind it to the southeast. There are too many more peaks to list that you can see from the summit, but some others include Mt. Evans 14,264′, Quandary Peak (14,265′), Mt. Parnassus (13er), Mt. Bard (13er), Longs Peak 14,255′, and Mt. of the Holy Cross (14,005). Also visible is the Tenmile/Mosquito Range and hundreds of other peaks. To the west are the ski runs of Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Breckenridge across the Continental Divide. What a view!

The name “Sniktau” refers to the pen name of Edwin H. N. Patterson, journalist and editor of the Colorado Miner in the Clear Creek County area during the 1860s. Patterson was a close friend of the famous poet, Edgar Allan Poe.

Trail Stats

Mt Sniktau

Trailhead: Grizzly Peak / Loveland Pass
Round trip: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Elevation: 11,990′ – 13,234′ / 3,655 m – 4,034 m
County: Clear Creek
Forest: Arapaho

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Mt Sniktau 13,234′

On the climb to the ridge with Loveland Pass below

View of Arapaho Basin

Heading to the ridge above

View along the ridge

Looking back along the route to a false summit

Torreys Peak 14,267′ From Mt Sniktau

Looking back along the ridgeline

View to the NW

I-70 Eisenhower Tunnel – highest point on U.S. interstate system

View looking north

Endless mountain peaks in every direction

Summit view looking east with I-70 below

Mt. Parnassus (13,574′) and Bard Peak (13,641′) from the summit of Mt. Sniktau

Torreys Peak 14,267′ from Mt Sniktau’s ridgeline

Mt Sniktau with two people on the summit

View of Quandary Peak 14,265′ in the distance (left of center)

Looking back after gaining 1,000′ to the ridge

HWY 6 winding it’s way to Loveland Pass

Heading to the ridge and then left

First objective is to get up to the ridgeline

Looking back at the trailhead

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the parking lot, head east towards Mt Sniktau. You’ll first climb to the saddle at point 12,915, a mile ahead of you. After gaining the ridge, take a left (north) to continue up the southwest ridge. Head towards another bump which is a false summit at 13,152 feet.

Hike through a short rocky section to reach the final false summit. You can now see the remaining route to reach the true peak’s summit. Keep hiking and drop about 250 feet into the saddle before you ascend for another quarter mile to reach the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Lake Isabelle (10,910′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Nov 7, 2021 | Featured, Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Lake Isabelle (10,910′), Front Range

Lake Isabelle lies hidden in a high, isolated bowl-shaped basin at the top of the South St. Vrain drainage in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It lies at tree-line in a stunning alpine valley surrounded by Navajo (13,409′), Apache (13,441′) and Shoshoni (12,967′) peaks. The Continental Divide is located just west of the lake, running along the high peaks above the valley.

Mitchell & Blue Lake and Mt Audubon, are also located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and also offer beautiful views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Trail Stats

Lake Isabelle

Trailhead: Long Lake
Round trip: 4.4 miles/7.1 km summer, 11 miles/17.1 km winter
Elevation: 10,300′ – 10,910′ / 3,139 m – 3,325 m
County: Boulder – Brainard Lake Rec. Area
National Forest: Roosevelt
Wilderness: Indian Peaks

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Park closed in winter to motorized vehicles

Brainard Lake Rec. Area

Road to the Long Lake trailhead

Out of control bike ride along the closed road

Long Lake Trailhead

View through the dense forest

Long Lake, Brainard Lake Rec Area

Trail in great winter condition

Long Lake, with sounds of moose nearby

One of the many creek crossings

Shoshoni Peak ahead

Meadow on the way to Lake Isabelle

As you near Lake Isabelle the trees thin out

The upper portion of the South St. Vrain Creek valley

Above Lake Isabelle

The incredible scenery of Lake Isabelle

Panorama of Lake Isabelle

Niwot Ridge, 13,409-foot Navajo Peak, Navajo Glacier, 13,441-foot Apache Peak and 12,967-foot Shoshoni Peak, looking from left to right

The Continental Divide lies along the jagged peaks

View along the northern shore

View from the waters edge

One last look at Lake Isabelle

Winter in full display in early November

Heading back to the Long Lake trailhead

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the Long Lake Trailhead, the trail begins its relatively gentle ascent up to Long Lake. After a quarter-mile of trekking, the trail intersects the Jean Lunning Trail, which will take you to and around Long Lake. This area is known for moose sightings. Avoid the Jean Lunning Trail and continue to the right uphill to Lake Isabelle.

After approximately 1 more mile, the trail intersects the Jean Lunning Trail for the second time. Again, continue towards Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass, bypassing the Jean Lunning Trail. Lake Isabelle is just another .9 miles beyond this trail junction. From the lake you have the option of continuing further up the trail to reach Isabelle Glacier.

Trailhead Directions

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Estes Cone (11,007′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Oct 24, 2021 | Front Range, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Estes Cone (11,007′), Front Range

Estes Cone is located about 3 miles from the Longs Peak trailhead on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The peak serves as a prominent landmark in the Tahosa Valley to the east. The peak is named for one of the first settlers in Estes Valley, Joel Estes. The granite peak has a rocky outcrop on the summit that provides unobstructed views of Rocky Mountain National Park.

On the way to Estes Cone you will pass by the old Eugene Mine area, of which there is almost no trace left. Moving on you end up at Storm Pass, after which the steepest part of the hike begins. Just before reaching the summit you will hit a cliff band. Head to the right and there will be a weakness in the wall that you can scramble up to the summit.

Trail Stats

Estes Cone

Trailhead: Longs Peak
Round trip: 6.5 miles / 10.5 km
Elevation: 9,400′ – 11,007′ / 2,865 m – 3,355 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures – October 2021

Longs Peak trailhead

The first junction on the Longs Peak trail

Meadow near Moore Park

Near Storm Pass

Steepest part of the trail near the summit

Estes Cone summit

Looking north from the summit

The wind gusts were dangerous on the summit

Southwest view from the summit

Northwest view from the summit

View along the western cliff face

Summit view to the south

Summit view looking west with Longs Peak covered in clouds all day

View east from the summit with Lake Estes below

Northwest view from the summit

The route up to the summit – a steep scramble

View west on the final climb to the summit

View north from the summit

Looking northwest just below the summit

Mt Meeker (left) and Longs Peak (right)

Meadow near Moore Park

Ruins near the old Eugene Mine

Ranger station at the foot of the Longs Peak trail

Estes Cone from Hwy 7

Trail Pictures – May 2015 – stopped 1/4 mile from the summit due to a rare snowstorm with lightning and thunder.

Estes Cone from the Longs Peak trailhead

Serious lightening hazard so turned around about 100ft from the top

heavy thunderstorm with snow

Storm moving in

Following cairns

Close to the Estes Cone turnoff

Looking towards Longs Peak

Weather rolling in

The only break from the dense forest

A rare glimpse of sunshine

Snow deepened at the turnoff for Eugene Mine

Fairly clear near the trailhead

Longs Peak trailhead ranger station

Estes Cone in the distance

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The approach to Estes Cone from the Longs Peak trailhead is relatively easy with mild uphills until you reach the base of the mountain. Once you turn off the Storm Pass trail you will see cairns marking the turnoff to begin the steeper 800′ scramble to the top. Once you reach the base of the summit, head right of the rock wall to scramble to the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Wager Gulch (12,350′), San Juan Range

by Dorann Langenkamp | Sep 16, 2021 | 4X4, Dog Friendly, Rocky Mountains, San Juan Range, Trip Reports

Wager Gulch (12,350′), San Juan Range

The road up Wager Gulch (high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle recommended), leads to the remnants of the abandoned mining town of Carson, on the way up to the Continental Divide and beyond. Founded in 1889, Carson reached its peak at the turn of the century when some 500 miners worked the mountain. Carson fell victim to the harsh winters of Colorado, being situated almost directly on the Continental Divide. It was considered one of the most inaccessible mining camps in Colorado. To access, take Wager Gulch road located south of Lake City, immediately off the Alpine Loop.

While in the area you may also want to explore Hurricane (12,730′) and California Pass (12,960′) which intersect further northwest along the Alpine Loop. Stony Pass provides a route to the headwaters of the Rio Grande river.

Trail Stats

Wager Gulch

Trailhead: Lake City
Round trip: 30 miles / 48 km (moderate difficulty)
Elevation: 8,872′ – 12,350′ / 2,704 m – 3,764 m
County: Hinsdale
National Forest: Gunnison
Wilderness: Handies Peak

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Lake San Cristobal south of Lake City

Rough road as you leave the Alpine Loop

Climbing through dense forest

Lots of Aspen groves

Fall colors at higher altitudes

Forests start to thin above 11,000′

Well preserved buildings in Carson

Owner allows visitors to Carson

View out of a window in Carson

Well preserved buildings

Moose in center of picture in Carson

Lake next to Carson

Mining equipment

One of the most remote mining towns in Colorado

View from the main building

View of the Continental Divide from Carson

Road above Carson

Nearing the Continental Divide

The top of Wager Gulch just ahead

View of the southern side of the Continental Divide

Looking back north to the Continental Divide

FS 821 on the southern side of the Continental Divide

Vehicles allowed on a short section of the Colorado Trail

Mining ruins on the left

Heading north, back to Carson over the Continental Divide

The road above Carson climbing to the Continental Divide

Wager Gulch from the Continental Divide

Carson, situated just below the Continental Divide

Heading north, back to Lake City

Spectacular fall colors in mid September

Wager Gulch road winding through the foliage

Shelf road back through dense forests

Likely mudslide area during heavy rain

Small waterfall next to Wager Gulch Rd

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From Lake City enter the Alpine Loop on County Road 30. From there take the Wager Gulch Rd turnoff heading south.

As you start Wager Gulch road continue uphill following Wager Creek. Continue on switchbacks as you climb above the creek and head through the forest. Stay on the main road.

After numerous switchbacks the road will cross an open area of the gulch with Carson Mountain to the west. At the next intersection the left road will take you to the ghost town of Carson, which is visible just across Wager Creek. There is an area to park and explore the buildings. Keep in mind that they are private property so repect the property. A short distance up the gulch from the town are the tailings of two mines. The road will top out on the Continental Divide and descend southward.

Trailhead Directions

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Alpine Loop (12,800′), San Juan Range

by Dorann Langenkamp | Sep 14, 2021 | 4X4, Dog Friendly, San Juan Range, Trip Reports

Alpine Loop (12,800′), San Juan Range

The Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway is a rugged 4×4 road that winds through the spectacular scenery of the San Juan Mountains, connecting Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray. The loop traverses passes up to 12,800 feet while showcasing old mines, ghost towns, natural wonders, beautiful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. Take a 10 minute detour while on the way to Cinnamon Pass to treat yourself to American Basin, one of the most beautiful places in Colorado.

Tackling the loop in its entirety is easily an all-day adventure. However, the main loop is only part of the experience; miles of designated side routes allow visitors to either take a short tour or extend their trip to multiple days. Hurricane (12,730′) and California Pass (12,960′) are two such examples that take you north from the Alpine Loop. For something closer to Lake City, tackle Wager Gulch to the Continental Divide.

Trail Stats

Alpine Loop

Trailhead: Lake City
Round trip: 65 miles / 105 km (moderate difficulty)
Elevation: 9,000′ – 12,800′ / 2,743 m – 3,902 m
County: San Juan / Hinsdale
National Forest: San Juan
Wilderness: Uncompahgre

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

Lake San Cristobal

County Road 30 heading southwest

Alpine Loop sign on County Road 30

Valley along County Road 30

Sherman Overlook

Heading toward American Basin

Sign for three 14’ers

Heading northwest on CR30

10 minute drive off the Alpine Loop to American Basin

Gaining elevation to treeline

Looking back at the route up CR30

Cinnamon Pass 12,640′

Heading north

Above Animas Forks

Heading to Engineer Pass

Climbing to Engineer Pass

Turning east to Engineer Pass

Looking back at County Road 20

Variable conditions on the ledge road

Nearing Engineer Pass

View near Engineer Pass

Just west of the pass

The final push to the pass

View from Engineer Pass

County Road 20 heading east

Engineer Pass 12,800′

Darley Mountain on the right

Views in all directions

Old cabin high in the San Juans

Heading east down County Road 20

Fall in full force at higher elevations

County Road 20

Nearing Lake City

Cliff walls along County road 20 near Lake City

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Tucked away in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado is the Alpine Loop National Backcountry Byway. Located northeast of Silverton, Colorado in San Juan and Hinsdale Counties, the circular route makes its way from Lake City south along CO-149, to County Road 30, which turns west over Cinnamon Pass (12,640 feet) to Animas Forks, and then returns east over Engineer Pass (12,800) back to Lake City along County Road 20. The loop is best traveled in a clockwise direction.

From Lake City enter the Alpine Loop on either County Road 30 or County Road 20. From Silverton enter the Alpine Loop on County Road 2. From Ouray enter the Alpine Loop on County Road 18.

Trailhead Directions

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Greenhorn Mountain (12,352′), Wet Mountain Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Aug 28, 2021 | Dog Friendly, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports, Wet Mountain Range

Greenhorn Mountain (12,352′), Wet Mountain Range

Greenhorn Mountain is the highest summit of the Wet Mountain range, located on the southern end of the range. Greenhorn Mountain can be seen from Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Trinidad, and also from along Interstate 25 rising over 7,000 feet (2,100 m) above the great plains to the east. The mountain range is protected within the secluded Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness Area, which has few trails, accessible for hiking or horseback only.

The seclusion of the area means driving on a dirt road for over 20 miles to reach the upper trailhead. During the summer of 2021 the road was well maintained and can be easily travelled by most stock vehicles in dry conditions.

Trail Stats

Greenhorn Mountain

Trailhead: Greenhorn/Bartlett
Round trip: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km
Elevation: 10,990′ – 12,352′ / 3,350 m – 3,765 m
County: Pueblo
National Forest: San Isabel
Wilderness: Greenhorn Mountain

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

View from the parking lot

Morning on the Bartlett trail

Northwest view from the summit

The road was closed long ago, only allowing hiking and horseback riding

Greenhorn Mountain’s western flank

Greenhorn Mountain on the left

Heading up Greenhorn Mountain from the south

Windbreak on the summit of Greenhorn Mountain

View of the Wet Mountain Valley

Ridgeline from Greenhorn Mountain to Unnamed Peak 12,266

Greenhorn Mountain

Unnamed Peak 12,266 summit

View to the north with Pikes Peak barely visible

Heading north along the ridge

Looking south with the Spanish Peaks in the distance

Looking east across the high plains

The Bartlett trail from the side of Greenhorn Mountain

The Bartlett trail below winding back to the trailhead

Endless views

Heading up unnamed peak 12,661

Greenhorn Mountains flat summit area

View to the south

The two Spanish Peaks in the distance

Southeastern flank of Greenhorn Mountain

Heading down the saddle

Views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range across the valley

Looking west from the trail

An easy trail through spectacular scenery

View west from the trail

The road near the trailhead

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the upper trailhead I made a loop that includes both the south and north summits. If you choose to hike the loop counterclockwise like I did, head southeast along the Bartlett Trail for a little over a mile. As the trail begins to wrap around the Greenhorn Mountain summit cone, leave the trail on the southern side of the mountain, and continue a half-mile climb to the summit. Note: There is no trail to the summit.

From the summit, you can retrace your route back to the trailhead if wind and bad weather are a problem. If the day is clear, a more scenic option is to traverse the easy ridge heading north. To return to the trailhead, I decended off the second saddle, down the west slope of the ridge back to the Bartlett trail close to the trailhead.

Trailhead Directions

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Music Pass (11,450′), Sangre de Cristo Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Aug 8, 2021 | Dog Friendly, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Range, Trip Reports

Music Pass (11,450′), Sangre de Cristo Range

Music Pass is a east/west pass across the southern Sangre de Cristo range connecting the Wet Valley in the east with the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve on the western side. The road gets progressively worse as you near the trailhead, so without a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle, you should park at the Grape Creek Trailhead and hike the last 2.5 miles to the Music Pass trailhead. The trail stats assume that you are beginning your hike at the Music Pass Trailhead.

Reaching the pass, you have a stunning views of the Upper Sand Creek basin that includes 13ers Marble Mountain, Milwaukee Peak, Music Mountain, and Tijeras Peak.

The Sangre de Cristo range has a wide range of remote and rugged hikes, such as Lily Lake, South Colony Lakes, and Humboldt Peak .

Trail Stats

Music Pass

Trailhead: Music Pass
Round trip: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Elevation: 10,730′ – 11,450′ / 3490 m
County: Huerfano
Wilderness: Sangre de Cristo
National Park: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Weather

GPS Route with Elevation

Trail Pictures

The road becomes more difficult after the Grape Creek TH

Near the trailhead

The trail used to be open to vehicles decades ago

First mile of the trail is in dense forest

The trail alternates between steep and level areas

Upper Sand Creek basin

Easy to follow trail from the trailhead

Inviting meadows about a mile into the hike

Once on the pass head north up a small hill for incredible views.

Wildflowers in full bloom

Reaching Music Pass from the east

Marble Mountain (13,266′) to the north of Music Pass

View of Music Pass from the north

Music Pass (11,450′)

View south towards Blueberry Peak

Every year it becomes more difficult to plan hikes around the smoke from fires to the west

View of the western side of the valley

Looking north from the pass

View northeasterly from the pass

View to the east of the Wet Valley shrouded in smoke

Views to the west of 13rs Milwaukee Mountain and Music Peak

Music Pass and the Sangre de Cristo wilderness boundary

Entering the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

An abundance of mushrooms along the trail.

Nearing Music Pass from the east

CR 119 leaving Music Pass Rd

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the parking area at the end of Music Pass Road the trail immediately enters a dense conifer forest as it begins climbing toward the pass. Initially you won’t see much but trees, but after about a mile the forest starts to become more open, giving you some great views of the Wet Mountain Valley on the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

Finally, just before reaching the pass you will pass a sign indicating that you are entering the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, an extension of the Great Sand Dunes National Park on the western side of the range. This point also marks the eastern boundary of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area.

Trailhead Directions

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Potato Lake (9,800′), San Juan Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jul 6, 2021 | Dog Friendly, Easy Hikes, Rocky Mountains, San Juan Range, Trip Reports

Potato Lake (9,800′), San Juan Range

Spud Lake Trail #661 to Potato Lake is beautiful and short, with minimal elevation gain, making this an extremely popular hike. Passing through aspen glades, it offers excellent views of Engineer Mountain, Grayrock Peak, and Spud Mountain, along with good views of the Needle Mountains to the east. The natural lake has excellent fishing and a pleasant place to relax. This is a great summer hike for all ages, and the aspen leaves during the fall can be spectacular. Spud Lake has excellent fishing for brook trout and cutthroat trout.