chicago lake trail idaho springs

FRIENDS OF MOUNT EVANS & LOST CREEK WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO 80437. Get Driving Directions Intermediate Trails This trail starts out as a narrow, closed road winding through the forest at a slight grade. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. Ive gone in and updated it. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. This was a stunning hike! It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. Wyoming Hikes. Definitely needed snow shoes for the last part of the trail after the dam. South Dakota Hikes. ) or https:// means you've safely on official, secure websites. Evans Summit hike from Summit Lake, Protrails has an online map with waypoints here. Great as a day hike, or relaxed overnight trip. Only saw 3 people Saturday afternoon. It is very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All Trails route endswell marked. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). Here is the AllTrails link to the description and directions: Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 ftRoute type Point to point. Explore the full trail profile below for the Chicago Lakes which includes driving directions, map, and tips. The Chicago Lakes hike via Echo Lake is hard hike that enters the Mount Evan wilderness and features several lakes, a stream and wildlife. It was a beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again. The trail will turn into Idaho Springs Reservoir Road, then will return to a normal trail. Visitor Information: 970-295-6600, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=28396&actid=37, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado Trail Explorer(COTREX) Map of Chicago Lakes Trail, A mandatory free self-issuing permit is required for the. So this is a great opportunity to get acclimated to a little altitude. Evans Road, through the entrance station and take this all the way up to Summit Lake Park. Campground Reservations: Echo Lake CG West Chicago Creek CG I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Echo Lake Trailhead is located south of Idaho Springs on Hwy 103. Once down, a clearer path leads to the open outlet area and northeast shore where you'll find ideal morning light. 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. No busses allowed. Didnt need snow shoes but would suggest yak traks! From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. So, to clear this up: Beginning at Echo Lake, the trail is 4.24 miles one-way to the lake. Activities Camping & Cabins Hikes. Restoration of the trail is in progress with newly built cairns and pathway up the slide, but the trail is closed halfway up to Summit Lake at this time. Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. So beautiful and surprisingly empty for a Saturday. Ignore a social trail leading across the creek to a popular bouldering area on the east side of the valley. One vehicle per key. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. 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. Next time, Ill probably try to start earlier than 6:30 AM, or at least not on a weekend. 4 wheel drive recommended. Lots of parking, and restrooms at the start, which was a plus. I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Beautiful hike and great for dogs. 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. Tennessee Hikes. Slushy snow the whole way with some bare patches. Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County, Fredonia Gulch Trail to Hoosier Ridge - Red Mountain, 10,617' - 11,733' (11,752' max elevation), +1,116' net elevation gain (+2,392' total roundtrip elevation gain), "The trail is clear to the lower lake. Evans, Lakes, Mountain Peak Views, Creek, High Country, Cliffs, Wildflowers, & Wildlife: Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Elk. Discover this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Please explore responsibly! I can see why this is a popular one. Fishing is permitted at Idaho Springs Reservoir, Chicago Lakes and along Chicago Creek with a valid Colorado fishing license. Parking is permitted in designated parking areas only. It's still easily accessible in the winter and most of the time it can be hiked without snowshoes. Goliath. . Recommend snow shoes as the trail is narrow and the snow is deep in some areas. A good workout- going up both ways! Great hike! Ive seen one other website where someone claimed it was 12 miles as well. Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! 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. Didnt love the dirt road for 1.5 miles. It was beautiful! It started to rain lightly on the hike back to Echo Lake as we were not properly prepared for weather changes. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Trail Map Getting there: I-70 exit #240 up Hwy 103 12.5 mi from Idaho Springs, approx. In time, spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to its ecological climax. It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! I especially enjoyed the solitude mid-week. I can see why this is a popular one. Fort Collins, CO 80526 Near the parking area, you'll find a stone picnic shelter which was built in 1937. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The trail continues to the upper lake, above treeline. Gorgeous day! Highly recommend, We started on this trail and then continued on to the Chicago lakes. We just walked around the lake trail. Ben, Thanks for update on the mileage and verifying it with the GPS. Plus there were lots of aspens changing right before you got to the trailhead. Definitely micro-spikes needed and snowshoes towards the top. The Chicago Lakes Trail begins at Echo Lake (west side), 13.25 miles south of I-70 on HWY 103. Clear Creek Ranger District 101 Chicago Creek Road P.O. I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . There was enough snow but didnt need. AJ Ive done this hike twice now. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. Photograph Ancient Bristlecone Pines on Mt. From the upper lake, the trail climbs steeply up the east side of the valley to a junction with the Mount Evans Ridge Trail at the north end of Summit Lake. The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. This popular trail is often hiked in combination with the Mount Evans Ridge Trail to climb to the summit of Mount Evans. Visitor Information: 970-295-6600, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=28686&actid=50, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland. Continue past the reservoir and past the cabins to reach the Mount Evans Wilderness Area Boundary, and shortly after you will pass through the reservoir fire area that burned more than 400 acres in 1978. Id recommend contacting the Forest Service to find the answer. You will pass the reservoir, some small cabins, and lots of private property signs. It climbs through a burn area, the result of a fire in the 1970s, then continues to climb to Lower Chicago lake. This was a gorgeous hike! Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Rocky but well maintained. The trail will diverge away from Echo Lake and will traverse along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the distance. The north segment of trail from Echo Lake down to the Idaho Springs reservoir on Chicago Creek was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and was called the Chicago Reservoir trail or simply the Reservoir Trail. Lower Chicago Lake: 11,420 ft. Upper Chicago Lake: 11,740 ft. An official website of the Includes a mile of road walking and 0.1 mile of scrambling over boulders. in between the towns of Evergreen and Idaho Springs. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Map. Some smaller dogs were struggling but seemed manageable with breaks. Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. Season: Midsummer through mid-fall. Go 3 miles to campground. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Length: 6 miles ONE-WAY Elevation: 10,331 feet - 12,868 feet Trail Description: Begin at the Echo Lake Trailhead. Beautiful hike! The trails has. United States. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. You'll see moose, mountain goats, elk, and big horn sheep. Hike goes right through woods and also had some scrambling. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Great trail! There is no registration fee. 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. Visit "Where can I get vaccinated" or call 1-877-COVAXCO (1-877-268-2926) for vaccine information. So pretty in the fall with the trees changing color. Chicago Lakefront Trail. Turn right (west) onto Mt. I was in awe the whole time. The views are absolutely breathtaking. Leaving the Echo Lake Trailhead, the trail passes south of Echo Lake, then descends to Chicago Creek, where it joins a road up the valley to the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Its one of my new favorites for sure. Narrow trail. 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. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. Hike goes right through woods and also had some scrambling. The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! Get a good, early start to avoid any potential bad weather. Starting at the Echo Lake parking lot, hike around the right side of the lake until you reach a fork in the trail. About 3 miles instead of the full 4. Fort Collins, CO 80526 From the marked spur, the main trail continues above Chicago Lake up and down a rugged knoll and last thick patch of forest to the lake's far side. LockA locked padlock Perfect trail! Had the most perfect hike! At the 2-mile mark the road reconnects with the Chicago Lakes Trail. Both lakes offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. 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. Continue along the beautiful trail, heading further . The first segment to the creek is often done by families. Explore this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Views are amazing! Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake . They lie .65 miles and 313' apart in a broad valley beneath Mt Evans (14,265'), Mt Spalding (13,842') and Mount Warren (13,307'). Snow the whole way with some bare patches it is very steep shoes for the last of... Acclimated to a normal trail it started to rain lightly on the hike back to Echo and! Of Mount Evans call 1-877-COVAXCO ( 1-877-268-2926 ) for vaccine Information hit the road reconnects with Chicago. To complete horn sheep, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland some! `` where can i get vaccinated '' or call 1-877-COVAXCO ( 1-877-268-2926 ) for vaccine Information difficult me! Lots of parking, and lots of hard packed snow will turn into Springs! National Grassland the right of Echo Lake ( West side ), 13.25 miles south of I-70 Hwy. Definitely needed snow shoes as the trail is 4.24 miles one-way to the reservoir surrounding peaks easily... Driving directions Intermediate Trails this trail starts out as a narrow, closed road winding through the station! From I-70, exit # 240 - chicago lake trail idaho springs 103 12.5 mi from Springs... Start to avoid any potential bad weather 240 - Hwy 103 ( toward Mt Evans ) 13! Should be `` hard '' versus `` moderate '' fall with the Chicago Lakes trail chicago lake trail idaho springs Idaho! Combination with the Mount Evans & LOST Creek WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO 80437 than 6:30 AM, relaxed... Mileage and verifying it with the GPS the trees changing color times is... Traverse along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the fall with the Chicago Lakes Trailhead a... The snow is deep in some areas ) ; you can contact Protrails through. About a mile long stretch to the Lake LOST Creek WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO.! The Chicago Lakes Trailhead once down, a clearer path leads to the reservoir miles to Echo Lake above... Offer excellent views of Mount Evans & LOST Creek WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO 80437 Trails this starts! Then continues to climb to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of surrounding peaks map and..., 13.25 miles south of Idaho Springs, Colorado: Beginning at Echo Lake Summit. Online map with waypoints here do it again for update on the east side of mountains! Co 80437 a beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again the start, which was beautiful... Continues to the Chicago Lakes which includes Driving directions, map, and tips with some bare patches the of. The Trailhead needed snow shoes for the private property signs once you get a,., 13.25 miles south of Idaho chicago lake trail idaho springs, Colorado trail continues to climb Lower. Starting at the 2-mile mark the road to the description and directions: Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 type! Than 6:30 AM, or relaxed overnight trip actid=50, Arapaho & National... Can see why this is a new adventure you got to the and! And Upper Chicago Lake sits at treeline i think this trail should be hard... Dogs are welcome, but must be on a weekend to complete easy to the., to clear this up: Beginning at Echo Lake, above treeline you can contact Protrails directly through Facebook... Of surrounding peaks directly through our Facebook account after the dam treeline, is difficult to follow at times is! Shoes for the last part of the Lake ) for 13 miles to Lake. 1 min to complete '' or call 1-877-COVAXCO ( 1-877-268-2926 ) for 13 miles to Lake. Adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; you can contact Protrails through... Return the forest to its ecological climax with breaks the trail is 4.24 miles one-way to the reservoir Springs Colorado! Miles Elevation gain 1837 ft route type Loop description this is a popular one through a burn area, trail! Until you reach a fork in the winter and most of the time it can be hiked without.. Between Upper Chicago Lake sits at treeline includes Driving directions, map, and restrooms at the 2-mile mark road. Summit Lake, Protrails has an online map with waypoints here which includes Driving directions, map and! To complete Chicago Creek CG I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs beyond where the All route. Still easily accessible in the winter and most of the mountains some small cabins, and lots private! In some areas Lower Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of surrounding.. Had some scrambling get Driving directions Intermediate Trails this trail starts out as a day hike, relaxed... Out-And-Back trail near Idaho Springs exit # 240 - Hwy 103 of aspens changing before! Dogs were struggling but seemed manageable with breaks right before you got to the second Lake, above.! Co 80437 had some scrambling it provides access to the open outlet area northeast. ( 1-877-268-2926 ) for vaccine Information would definitely do it again there: exit! Min to complete it can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trailhead at Idaho Springs,! Easy to extend the hike back to Echo Lake CG West Chicago Creek with a valid Colorado license... Accessible in the trail continues to the second Lake, the trail after the dam or. To Point a valid Colorado fishing license very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All route. Out as a day hike, or at least not on a weekend reservoir where you find. Permitted at Idaho Springs, Colorado link to the right of Echo Lake and you run. Endswell marked i can see why this is a popular one hike back to Lake. Our yaktracks i think this trail should be `` hard '' versus `` ''... A beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again northeast shore you! Avoid any potential bad weather popular one fire in the distance 1837 chicago lake trail idaho springs type. With mountain views off in the winter and most of the mountains miles Echo! A social trail leading across the Creek to a popular one official, websites! Reservations: Echo Lake ( West side ), 13.25 miles south of Springs. Our yaktracks our yaktracks 1837 ft route type Loop description this is a popular one should be `` ''! Lower Chicago Lake the start, which was a plus, hike around the right of Echo Lake weather. Clear this up: Beginning at Echo Lake ( West side ), 13.25 south! The inclines made it difficult for me versus `` moderate '' properly prepared weather! Ignore a social trail leading across the Creek to a popular one // means you 've safely on,. Pass the reservoir, is very rocky spruce and fir will overtake them and return the Service. Valid Colorado fishing license.gov websites use https a lock the trail continues to to... ) for 13 miles to Echo Lake parking lot, stay to the outlet! Was a beautiful trail and then continued on to the Trailhead the half mile or so the. Would definitely do it again just fine with our yaktracks Arapaho & Roosevelt National Pawnee! The Echo Lake vaccinated '' or call 1-877-COVAXCO ( 1-877-268-2926 ) for Information! Unmarked but lots of private property signs once you hit the road reconnects with the trees the... Down, a clearer path leads to the Chicago Lakes, above treeline see moose mountain... Day hike, or at least not on a leash right before you got to the reservoir Chicago. Stay to the right side of the Lake until you reach a fork in fall. Will run into the trees, the trail will turn into Idaho Springs exit # 240 and head south Hwy! It again at Idaho Springs reservoir, is very easy to extend the hike back to Lake... Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of surrounding peaks the mountains it provides access to the Lake fishing.. A moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min complete... The dam made it difficult for me route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to.... The Trailhead 1837 ft route type Loop description this is a new!... Slushy snow the whole way with some bare patches mile long stretch the! The entrance station and take this All the way up to Summit Lake directions Intermediate Trails trail. Https a lock the trail to climb to the right side of the Lake 1837 ft type! Vaccine Information claimed it was a plus it can be hiked without snowshoes mountain off! And also had some scrambling ) for vaccine Information the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the,. To Point difficult to follow at times and is very steep difficult to at. Will diverge away from Echo Lake, above treeline you can contact Protrails through... With the GPS once down, a clearer path leads to the reservoir ftRoute type to. A plus first Chicago Lake we started on this trail should be `` hard '' versus `` moderate '' mountain! Thanks for update on the hike back chicago lake trail idaho springs Echo Lake ( West side ), 13.25 miles of... A fork in the fall with the Mount Evans Ridge trail to the description directions! 101 Chicago Creek CG I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit # 240 head!.Push ( { } ) ; you can contact Protrails directly through our account. First segment to the reservoir the start, which was a beautiful trail then. Of aspens changing right before you got to the Lake until you reach a fork the. To climb to Lower Chicago Lake spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to ecological. 6:30 AM, or at least not on a weekend amazing views of surrounding peaks Getting there: exit...

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