15 Unreal Colorado Hikes With Alpine Lakes To Conquer In This Lifetime

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than fields of wildflowers and a high alpine lake at the base of the 14,000-foot peak. That’s the reality at Handies Peak Trail, a 4.6-mile round-trip route that traverses through the always scenic American Basin. If you hit it right — usually mid-July to early August — you’ll be treated to wildflower-dotted hills before you come upon Sloan Lake (which has a mini lake island). From there, it’s a short but steep hike to the top of Handies Peak.

It’s no surprise that Aspen has beautiful mountain views, but arguably none are more stunning than the view of Snowmass Mountain from Snowmass Lake. The trail to the vista is on the long side — just over 20 miles round-trip — so if you want to tackle the whole thing, it's best broken up over two days. That way, you can backpack in, set up camp, and catch the sunset and sunrise at the lake before heading home.

If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike with a big payoff, head to Idaho Springs (40 minutes from Denver by car) and make your way up this 2.4-mile out-and-back trail. Sitting in Arapaho National Forest, Saint Mary’s Lake is fed by Saint Mary’s Glacier — a fun fact that makes this trip totally worth the moderate hike (IMO).

This 6-mile moderate hike outside the beautiful mountain town of Telluride traverses through woods and wildflower meadows on its way to the grand finale: Hope Lake. The lake itself is the perfect place to bask in the sun and enjoy a well-deserved picnic with mountain views.

Not far from Leadville, the highest city in Colorado (10,430 feet), is the Timberline Lake Trail, a route that journeys into the San Isabel National Forest and ends at a stunning lake. As a bonus, the trail kicks off near Turquoise Lake, so you can actually check out two very different lakes on your journey. The trip to Timberline Lake is 5.5 miles, but if you aren’t interested in walking around the lake, you can shave off some time (and give your legs a much-needed break).

This mountain lake in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness near Gunnison, Colorado, can be accessed via a moderate 5-mile hike (round-trip). And while the lake itself is worth the short but steep hike, it’s worth it to continue on past the lake to Gunsight Pass to check out Ohio City, a semi-ghost town.

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than a visit to Blue Lakes outside Ridgway. And while the views here are hard to beat — you can continue on the trail toward Blue Lake Pass for views of the lake from above (an Instagrammer’s dream). From the trailhead, the lower Blue Lake is a moderate 3.2-mile hike.

You’ll probably see plenty of hikers on the Glacier Gorge Trail near Estes Park, but there’s a good reason for that — the 8.5-mile out-and-back trail leads to Sky Pond, a lake surrounded by jagged teeth–like mountains that stretch toward the sky. Just keep in mind that the trail is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, and there’s a fee to enter — $15 if you’re on foot.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains contain some of the state’s most beautiful peaks. And among the area’s massive mountains are various alpine lakes — including Lakes of the Clouds, a series of three lakes that can be accessed in a single day (with around 10 miles of hiking). Start on Gibson Trail, and keep in mind that each lake is about a half mile apart, so if you’re feeling fatigued and laked out (if that’s even possible), you can turn around early.

You’ll actually catch two lakes on your journey up Rainbow Lake Trail. The first is the route's namesake — Rainbow Lake — but if you continue on a couple more miles, you’ll come upon the real showstopper: Slide Lakes. Depending on how far you go, this hike could clock in anywhere from 8.5 to nearly 11 miles, so many people opt to make it an overnight journey.

The hike to the top of Longs Peak (another 14er) is a long one — almost 15 miles — but to reach Chasm Lake below, which is surrounded by jagged peaks, it’s a much more doable 8.5 miles. The lake also sits within Rocky Mountain National Park, and Longs Peak is a popular route, so while this lake is remote (and requires quite the trek), the trail might be busy.

This 4.6-mile out-and-back trail starts on an 1880s' wagon road (how cool is that?) before climbing up through a spruce forest to the alpine meadow. Here you’ll find the Lower Crystal Lake, a clear and clean high alpine lake that’s surrounded by towering, craggy peaks. If you’re up for it, continue on to the Upper Crystal Lake.

The Grand Mesa National Forest near Grand Junction is home to nearly 300 lakes — one of which is the stunning Island Lake. To reach this lush, wood-surrounded body of water, journey up the 3.2-mile round-trip trail, and pack along a picnic (and your fishing pole).

You’ll actually start your journey at Woods Lake (bonus!) outside Telluride. From here, you'll pass through aspen and conifer forests on your way to the day’s destination: Navajo Lake. The round-trip journey is just over 10 miles and cuts below three impressive 14ers — Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak, and El Diente Peak.

Upper Slate Lake in the White River National Forest is stunning — you’ll see the backside of the mountains that make up the Vail and Copper Mountain ski areas — but it also requires a serious hike. The remote, 18-mile round-trip route is only for experienced hikers who are willing to start early and end late, or those up for an overnight stay. Either way, the incredible lake is well worth the extra effort that it takes to get there.