The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. Keys checked out on Friday must be returned by noon the following Monday. . There was enough snow but didnt need. According to my GPS, this was about 12 miles. Some beautiful views and so much water. The upper lake was amazing. Echo Lake Trailhead is located south of Idaho Springs on Hwy 103. Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 ftRoute type Point to point. At the 2-mile mark the road reconnects with the Chicago Lakes Trail. It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. Lots of snow, we did not have snowshoes, but they would have helped. It started to rain lightly on the hike back to Echo Lake as we were not properly prepared for weather changes. Ridge lines connecting Rogers Peak (13,391') and Mount Warren (13,307') form the east valley wall. 6. . Elevation starts at just over 10,000' with a gain of 3300'. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. A $10 charge per day will be deducted from the deposit for each day the key is later, up to $100.If the charge exceeds $100, the matter will be referred to the Idaho Springs Police Department for appropriate action. West Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout. The hike/scenery was exactly what we had hoped to find! View a COTREX map here. Get a good, early start to avoid any potential bad weather. View a COTREX map here. Some beautiful views and so much water. Idaho Springs Reservoir via Chicago Lakes Trail, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/home/?cid=fsm91_058362. Gorgeous day! This is a popular breeding area for big horn sheep and mountain goats in the late spring and early summer, so keep an eye out for them on the valley walls. A portion of the trail has a drop off which was a little tough to get myself and my dog out of the way for others to pass. Great hike with lots of beautiful places to camp near both Lower and Upper Chicago Lakes. Golden CO 80401. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. ", "Hiked Chicago Lakes to Summit Lake and walked down the Mt Evans road. At the height of its 49-mile course, the highway reaches the summit of 14,130-foot Mount Evans. The scenery just gets better and better as you go. Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Length: 6 miles ONE-WAY Elevation: 10,331 feet - 12,868 feet Trail Description: Begin at the Echo Lake Trailhead. Chicago Lakes Trail is an 11.3-mile moderately trafficked out-and-back trail rated as hard. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Afternoon arrivals - or those who simply don't wish to fight the willows - will find easier access further up the main trail, though a steep knoll must be scaled to reach them (.35 miles ahead). Wildflowers are starting to bloom at the upper lake. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. (Hard). Great trail! Definitely bring Yaktraks or spikes for this one! * There are several . Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The weather in the Mount Evans Wilderness can change rapidly; be prepared for high winds, snow, rain, hail, and intense sunlight. Gorgeous day! website belongs to an official government organization in the Great question, Chris. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). Great 4 mile hike. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. on official, secure websites. two short trails are accessible within Summit Lake Park where you also have access to the lake shore and the Chicago Lakes Overlook Trail via the Summit Lake Loop. I especially enjoyed the solitude mid-week. The trail enters an area touched by the 1978 Idaho Springs Reservoir Fire, which burned over 400 acres, mostly on the valley's upper west side. Only saw 3 people Saturday afternoon. A $100 cash deposit is required along with a valid Colorado drivers license.If the key is returned on time, the deposit will be refunded in full. I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . Turn left and continue along the road toward the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Pretty steep at parts, but manageable. Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. The road up to Echo Lake should be open, and that is a beautiful area. Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Next time, Ill probably try to start earlier than 6:30 AM, or at least not on a weekend. The Chicago Lakes hike via Echo Lake is hard hike that enters the Mount Evan wilderness and features several lakes, a stream and wildlife. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Quite icy in one area near the edge of the mountain. The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. Beginning Elevation: 10640High Point: 12870End Elevation: 12870Difficulty: DifficultLength, One Way: 6 milesSeasons: Summer through FallUSGS Quads:Mount Evans, Georgetown, and Idaho SpringsOther Maps: Arapaho National Forest, Trails Illustrated #104Usage Level: HighAccess Trailheads: Echo Lake, Summit LakeConnecting Trails: Resthouse, Mt. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idaho Springs Reservoir is a little over 1.5 miles. The trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. You'll see moose, mountain goats, elk, and big horn sheep. Id recommend contacting the Forest Service to find the answer. Note bristlecone and limber pine in this area, high altitude species adapted to extreme conditions. Visitors will enjoy stunning alpine landscapes and wildlife that includes moose, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goat: From the parking lot, follow the short dirt path to Echo Lake and continue south to the Chicago Lakes Trail split (.12 miles : 10,597'). A friend came to Denver from Germany this week. The trail to the second lake, which is above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. We just walked around the lake trail. In time, spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to its ecological climax. Group size limited to 15 people and/or 10 pack/stock animals per party. We saw a moose! Didnt love the dirt road for 1.5 miles. 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. Wyoming Hikes. Evans sits a small 160 acre preserve of some of the world's oldest living trees. I did this hike with my wife today and it was awesome. Youll hike Mount Evans is a simple, yet drop dead gorgeous 14er. Narrow trail. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. The remains of one can be found along the trail by sharp eyed hikers. We just walked around the lake trail. From Idaho Springs at the intersection of I-70 and Highway 103, proceed south on Highway 103 to mile marker 9. The trail then climbs upward and passes through an old burn area from the Reservoir Fire of 1978. Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! Fishing is permitted at Idaho Springs Reservoir, Chicago Lakes and along Chicago Creek with a valid Colorado fishing license. Fort Collins, CO 80526 Goliath. Requests for keys to provide access to the Idaho Springs City Reservoir will be available at City Hall, 1711 Miner Street, on a first come, first served basis. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Roads leading to this trailhead are subject to seasonal closure due to winter weather conditions. United States. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. After Hours Non Emergencies Phone: 303.679.2393. Hike goes right through woods and also had some scrambling. (We will accept a Drivers License, Utility Bill, Rental Agreement, or other official document that shows your name andphysical address). Both lakes can be fished, as well as the lower Idaho Springs Reservoir that you pass on your way. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. That being said, no 14er is easy by any means. Definitely need yak tracks or spikes if you do it in winter as the trail is fairly icy! Visit "Where can I get vaccinated" or call 1-877-COVAXCO (1-877-268-2926) for vaccine information. 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. Ignore a social trail leading across the creek to a popular bouldering area on the east side of the valley. 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. on official, secure websites. Had the most perfect hike! SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Roads leading to this trailhead are subject to seasonal closure due to winter weather conditions. All trash must be picked up and carried out of the Reservoir premises. A wonderful hike--trail conditions good until encountering significant mud between the lower Chicago lake and the upper lake. West Chicago Creek Campground sits along its namesake creek at the base of Mount Evans and is located off Highway 103 on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in central Colorado. It is very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All Trails route endswell marked. Chicago Lakes Trail is an 11.3-mile moderately trafficked out-and-back trail rated as hard. Follow the trail which parallels Chicago Creek towards Idaho Springs Reservoir. Note that high valley walls may block your view of oncoming weather. Beautiful hike and great for dogs. Very low water levels and no snow looks like we are in for a drought this year folks. Ben, Thanks for update on the mileage and verifying it with the GPS. It sure is a beautiful area! There are a few boulders to be climbed over, an area or 2 where the trail is skinny and youre close to edge but nothing too intense. Narrow in some parts. You may want to start early, especially in the Summer months so that you have the time to explore and to avoid our famous, afternoon Colorado thunderstorms. 10/10 would recommend this hike to anyone. No motorized equipmentor mechanized transportation. The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. Go south for approx. Begin in Idaho Springs, where you'll explore the mining heritage of a former gold camp. Read more Idaho Springs, Colorado Echo Lake to Summit Lake 11.1 mi / 3419 ft gain Official government organization in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions Roads leading to this Trailhead subject. Access to the right of Echo Lake reaches the Summit of 14,130-foot Mount Evans.! Mile marker 9 it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete picked up and carried of... Fir to Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout: //www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/home/? cid=fsm91_058362 in. 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Friday must be returned by noon the following Monday Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness on. The great question, Chris quite icy in one area near the edge of valley... Levels and no snow looks like we are in for a drought this year folks trail conditions until... In the United States as well as the trail to the second Lake, which is above,. And is beautiful to visit anytime reaches the Summit of 14,130-foot Mount Evans a. Found along the trail undulates ruggedly on a weekend encountering significant mud between the Lower Chicago Lake and you run... Rocks you have to cross note that high valley walls may block view! Do it in winter as the trail by sharp eyed hikers parallels Chicago Creek ( 1.1 miles: 10,342 )! The east valley wall a leash brook trout to bloom at the intersection I-70. 'Ll likely encounter other people while exploring moderately trafficked out-and-back trail rated as hard get vaccinated '' call...

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