Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes Hike

Route Description for Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes Hike

While the Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes Hike does feature a good amount of elevation gain along the route, it is not a technical trail, making it suitable for casual hikers wanting a good challenge. Even still, you will want to wear proper hiking boots with good support and bring any necessary gear and supplies to safely traverse the trail. Additionally, you will need a high-clearance vehicle in order to safely reach the trailhead.

While it is a bit of a challenge to reach the shores of the Blue Lakes, the stunning alpine scenery that you will experience will be more than worth the effort. If you feel like spending some extra time in this beautiful locale, be sure to bring your camping equipment to spend a night up in the mountains!

Setting out from the parking area, you will head towards the southwest along the trail for a short distance, before arriving at a fork. Keep right here and make your way through the dense cover of the forest alongside the banks of Dallas Creek for 0.4 km, where the trail will begin to climb more steeply uphill.

After 2.3 km of working your way uphill through the peaceful landscape of the forest, you will break free of the tree cover to briefly pass through an alpine meadow with stunning mountain views, before entering back into the forest to the southeast. Here, you will continue on to the southeast through a mixture of woodland and meadow terrain, until you arrive at the shores of Lower Blue Lake and the nearby campsite.

Turning left at the junction in the trail near the lake, you will quickly exit the canopy of the forest once again and begin climbing uphill through a wonderfully scenic alpine basin. Take some time here to appreciate the gorgeous scenery, as you meander past the Middle and Upper Blue Lakes, while taking in the views of Mount Sneffels, Dallas Peak, and Gilpin Peak.

Once you have taken in the stunning scenery, you can backtrack along the trail to return to the first of the Blue Lakes. If you are planning on camping overnight in the area, make sure to give yourself adequate time to set up camp, otherwise, simply head back through the basin on the return to the parking area having completed the Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes Hike.

Trail Highlights

Mount Sneffels

Mount Sneffels is a prominent peak in the Rockies that is well-known for its vertical relief. The imposing fourteener rises 2,195 m above the nearby town of Ridgway, and is 51st in terms of the highest peaks in North America. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the entire state of Colorado.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Blue Lakes?

The Blue Lakes are a series of alpine lakes that can be found in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area of Colorado.

How tall is Mount Sneffels?

Mount Sneffels is categorized as a fourteener, standing tall at 4,315 m.