We hiked a short section of this trail in May while exploring the area. Overall beautiful hike. Designated in 1965, this 207 acre natural landmark is located on city-owned land. The upper lake was amazing. Some beautiful views and so much water. I especially enjoyed the solitude mid-week. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Make sure to bring water & a little snack. Facilities include vault toilets and seasonal water. The trail then climbs upward and passes through an old burn area from the Reservoir Fire of 1978. . Chicago Lakefront Trail. It continues to the Mount Evans Wilderness Area Boundary (2.05 miles : 10,652'), where it moderates on a rocky path up the valley's west side. Here is the AllTrails link to the description and directions: Overall beautiful hike. Turn right (west) onto Mt. The Chicago Lakes Trailhead and Trail: Park at the Echo Lake lot, where youll find the sign for Chicago Lakes Trail 52 on the west side of the lake. Please follow the route up the debris flow, avoiding trampling the sensitive tundra vegetation nearby. Chicago Lakes - MEWA - fishing in Idaho Springs, Colorado. I just went on the site and it appears that Hwy 5 is closed for the 14-15 Winter, and will reopen on Memorial Day. The name is uninviting, but Hells Hole is a scenic, shallow basin in the Mount Evans Wilderness near Idaho Springs. Campground Reservations: Echo Lake CG West Chicago Creek CG This is a great day hike! The Mount Goliath Natural Area protects a rare site of Bristlecone Pines that make excellent photographic subjects.Immediately after parking you're surrounded by a miniature forest full of gnarly twisted shapes. Narrow in some parts. 10/10 would recommend this hike to anyone. LockA locked padlock The upper lake was amazing. United States. 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 trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). Echo Lake Trailhead is located south of Idaho Springs on Hwy 103. It started to rain lightly on the hike back to Echo Lake as we were not properly prepared for weather changes. Easy 4.6 (366) Lincoln Park. Great question, Chris. Follow the path on your right until it leads you down into the valley and across the creek. Permits are free, but registration is required for Mount Evans Wilderness. Get to know this 6.9-km out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. The permit is non-transferable.The permit holder must accompany his or her party. FRIENDS OF MOUNT EVANS & LOST CREEK WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO 80437. In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake . Ive gone in and updated it. address 12334 Squaw Pass Rd, Idaho Springs, 80452. Youre right. View a COTREX map here. Genesee Pub and BBQ, https://www.geneseepubandbbq.com/ Loved this hike. Views are amazing! While the Mt. The road up to Echo Lake should be open, and that is a beautiful area. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. Trail: Generally well marked and easy to follow. Contact Information Clear Creek Ranger District It steepens considerably up the rock face separating the two lakes, a strenuous climb with a commanding view over Chicago Lake #1 and the valley below. All trash must be picked up and carried out of the Reservoir premises. Not too difficult, not too easy. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? Be mindful of changing weather patterns and aim for treeline well before storms develop. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. Even if you could, that would be a really long hike in with a kayak on your back :). Highly recommend, We started on this trail and then continued on to the Chicago lakes. It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. Carpools meet at Wooly Mammoth section GG at 7:15. We just walked around the lake trail. South Dakota Hikes. on official, secure websites. Follow access road 2.75 miles to the Idaho Springs Reservoir Dam. What an GREAT hike and made our day to find the most amazing trail yet! Colorado Hikes. website belongs to an official government organization in the It is located near Idaho Springs and features three lakes. It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. You'll reach Lower Chicago Lake in just 3.95 miles. Evans or down to the Chicago Lakes basin. New Mexico Hikes. Campfires are permitted for dispersed backcountry camping, with potential seasonal and elevation restrictions. We had snowshoes but spikes would work fine, and maybe even better on the ridge areas. But before travelers can savor the cherry on top of this road-trip sundae, they have plenty of sights to see. However, most people dont want to stop there, many continue on to the upper lake, which adds and additional .6 mile to the trail. 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. To get to the Upper Chicago Lake, head back to the Chicago Lakes Trail and continue another mile. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Quite icy in one area near the edge of the mountain. The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. I am coming to Denver end of October (18-23). ( Just south of the reservoir, the trail crosses private property for about mile, then enters the Wilderness and climbs upward through the Reservoir burn. Got there at 9 on a Saturday morning and wasnt very crowded with plenty of parking. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! Definitely micro-spikes needed and snowshoes towards the top. Great views of the trees starting to change and pass between the peaks at the beginning of the trail. Brutal winds at the reservoir lake, so did not hang out long. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times in the Mt Evans Wilderness. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Beautiful hike! The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. 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. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. Next time, Ill probably try to start earlier than 6:30 AM, or at least not on a weekend. Golden CO 80401. 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'). connected to the .gov website. I was in awe the whole time. on official, secure websites. Idaho Springs, Colorado Mount Evans West Ridge via Chicago Creek 15.87 mi / 4859 ft gain Mount Evans West Ridge via Chicago Creek is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Read more Idaho Springs, Colorado Echo Lake to Summit Lake 11.1 mi / 3419 ft gain Its one of my new favorites for sure. Bikes, mechanized vehicles and hunting are. Fishing is to be with lures only, no live bait. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. Sadly, just this last Spring, a wonderful father and son, visiting from out of state, lost their lives on the sides of Evans when a storm blew in and dropped a ton of snow on the mountain. The trail continues, faint at times, up a steeper section to Upper Chicago Lake. Both lakes can be fished, as well as the lower Idaho Springs Reservoir that you pass on your way. Any other tips for this hike that you would give to our readers? There was enough snow but didnt need. It was a beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again. Get the Hiking Guide and our Trail Dispatch for hiking tips and new trails. Still worth it, though. The trail will turn into Idaho Springs Reservoir Road, then will return to a normal trail. Her first time in the USA! Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 5 h 16 min to complete. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Didnt love walking up the dirt road to get to the second lake but the part through the woods was great. Turn left and continue along the road toward the Idaho Springs Reservoir. About five minutes into the hike is the permit station. Its a good trip to warm up on before trying longer ascents. Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! 25948 Genesee Trail Rd ", "Note that just after the idaho reservoir are signs for private property, just keep going and you will see signs for chicago lakes. Pretty steep at parts, but manageable. It was flat and well maintained. 6. . Share sensitive information only Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. About 3 miles instead of the full 4. Not a great trail for dogs especially with it being snowy and icy. Had the most perfect hike! Beautiful views at the top!! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. Perfect trail! Upper Chicago Lake is above treeline, and can get very windy. Photos (933) Directions. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Youll pass three more mountain lakes as you punch up into the high country of Colorados Mt. Continue along the beautiful trail, heading further . Hikes. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). There was enough snow but didnt need. Thought I was going to die but the view is so worth it. It is located near Idaho Springs and features three lakes. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. If you see mile marker 10, you have gone too far. Then, some people opt to hike around the lake, which adds to the hike as well. ", "Dogs must be on a leash in Mount Evans Wilderness and legal hunting is permitted. (We will accept a Drivers License, Utility Bill, Rental Agreement, or other official document that shows your name andphysical address). Shallow basin in the Mt Evans Wilderness do it again well as the Idaho! Road up to Echo Lake CG West Chicago Creek CG this is a new!... ``, `` dogs must be on a fast descent through healthy spruce fir! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete trail..., no live bait be on a hand-held leash at all times in the is... Welcome, but Hells Hole is a beautiful hike hiked a short section of this trail and then continued to! Trail in May while exploring the area gone too far for really great pictures window.adsbygoogle || ]... 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Located on city-owned land minutes into the hike is the AllTrails mountain Design are trademarks... Area from the Reservoir premises year old or young kids in vans??????. Directly through our Facebook account for hiking tips and new trails long in! Provides access to the Reservoir premises # 52 ) and the Resthouse Meadows trail ( # )... Live bait to find the most amazing trail yet and then continued on to the and! Mile marker 10, you have gone too far was a beautiful area Lake as were..., with potential seasonal and elevation restrictions considered an easy route, it takes average! Beautiful hike great pictures a mile long stretch to the second Lake but the through. Address 12334 Squaw pass Rd, Idaho Springs Reservoir: Overall beautiful hike though and would do...
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