Perfect trail! Processed weed-free feedis required for stock. In time, spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to its ecological climax. Evans. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Length: 6 miles ONE-WAY Elevation: 10,331 feet - 12,868 feet Trail Description: Begin at the Echo Lake Trailhead. 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. Tennessee Hikes. 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. A bit muddy heading up to the second lake with runoff down the trail, but dry where it gets steeper. Pretty steep at parts, but manageable. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Make sure to bring water & a little snack. website belongs to an official government organization in the A great trail for intermediate hikers and dogs. Overall the hike was peaceful, quiet, great views, and the lake and reservoir looks amazing iced over! Follow the path on your right until it leads you down into the valley and across the creek. That being said, no 14er is easy by any means. Great views of the trees starting to change and pass between the peaks at the beginning of the trail. Current conditions, fishing reports, maps, water levels, boating, camping, articles, blogs, and photos. Turn left and continue along the road toward the Idaho Springs Reservoir. We had to cross about 50 yards of snow just prior to reaching the upper lake. We hiked a short section of this trail in May while exploring the area. The upper lake was gorgeous but the wind coming over the mountain ridge made lingering long rough. Spikes needed, snowshoes would make it worse. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. A short climb past a second Chicago Lakes Trail sign crests over a deep gorge carved by Chicago Creek with views of Mt Spalding and Mount Evans in the distance. Campground Reservations: Echo Lake CG West Chicago Creek CG Note that high valley walls may block your view of oncoming weather. Turn right down the first dirt road on your right and continue .25 miles to the parking area. Would have been incredibly difficult without. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. Getting there: I-70 exit #240 up Hwy 103 12.5 mi from Idaho Springs, approx. Check out our profile of the Chicago Lakes hike on the sides of Mt. 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. ( It was a great workout. General Information Directions: I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103.Go south for approx. Located at the base of Mt. The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. Trail, USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District. Definitely moderately challenging as it is very rocky and steep at some points but worthwhile. website belongs to an official government organization in the No motorized equipmentor mechanized transportation. . We had snowshoes but spikes would work fine, and maybe even better on the ridge areas. 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'). So this is a great opportunity to get acclimated to a little altitude. Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E Please be considerate of your drivers and offer to help pay for gas. Copyright 2010-2020 Dayhikes Near Denver LLC, National Weather Service page for Mt. This is a great hiking area an hour outside of Denver, Colorado. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Still worth it, though. Narrow in some parts. It was flat and well maintained. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. New Mexico Hikes. From Idaho Springs take W. Chicago Creek trail south to Echo Lake. To get to the Upper Chicago Lake, head back to the Chicago Lakes Trail and continue another mile. Gorgeous day! Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! We just walked around the lake trail. Go south for approximately 12 miles to the junction of Hwy 103 and Hwy 5. Only used to identify you to ProTrails. View a COTREX map here. Evans or down to the Chicago Lakes basin. Easy 4.6 (366) Lincoln Park. We are not into giving long trail descriptions on Dayhikes Near Denver, but wed suggest you read the basic one below and check out the trail description and pdf Chicago Lakes map link in the trail profile below. Please follow the route up the debris flow, avoiding trampling the sensitive tundra vegetation nearby. The trail is intermittently rocky and steep heading up the valley with a full view of Mt Spalding, and a partial look at Mt Evans. The deposit will be refunded in full if the key is returned on time. Evans Wilderness area. Create Recommended Route or 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. Got there at 9 on a Saturday morning and wasnt very crowded with plenty of parking. Note bristlecone and limber pine in this area, high altitude species adapted to extreme conditions. Great views of the trees starting to change and pass between the peaks at the beginning of the trail. Didnt love walking up the dirt road to get to the second lake but the part through the woods was great. 601 Denver, CO 80202. The hike/scenery was exactly what we had hoped to find! I was in awe the whole time. United States. The permit is non-transferable.The permit holder must accompany his or her party. Goliath. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. About 3 miles instead of the full 4. 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. As the key is only available to residents within the Idaho Springs City Limits, you must provide proof of address. I can see why this is a popular one. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. ", "Intended to hike to the summit of Mt. It was beautiful! Not a great trail for dogs especially with it being snowy and icy. We had snowshoes but spikes would work fine, and maybe even better on the ridge areas. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. . Map Information Activities Bicycling Camping & Cabins Fishing Hiking Horse Riding & Camping Nature Viewing The scenery just gets better and better as you go. Starting elevation is about 9500 feet. The Chicago Lakes are accessed from Echo Lake, 13.25 miles south of I-70 (Idaho Springs) in the Mt Evans Wilderness Area. It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. A wonderful hike--trail conditions good until encountering significant mud between the lower Chicago lake and the upper lake. Be the first to share your experience. Evans Road, through the entrance station and take this all the way up to Summit Lake Park. Visit "Where can I get vaccinated" or call 1-877-COVAXCO (1-877-268-2926) for vaccine information. Trail Map A good workout- going up both ways! I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . Arizona Hiking. We saw a moose! By signing up for this hike you agree to do all the research and preparation needed for this hike and to be totally responsible for your own safety. A $100 cash deposit is required. Make sure you get an early start to avoid storms (and the crowds). Discover this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Beautiful hike and great for dogs. As conditions warrant, may turn back after the 2nd lake and avoid the last grueling stretch up to Summit Lake. 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 Idaho Springs Reservoir is located approximately 11 miles south along Colorado Highway 103. Didnt need snow shoes but would suggest yak traks! One vehicle per key. The upper lake was amazing. 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. Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. 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. Highly recommend, We started on this trail and then continued on to the Chicago lakes. Hikes. From Idaho Springs at the intersection of I-70 and Highway 103, proceed south on Highway 103 to mile marker 9. En "el estado de la pradera", la propiedad ms cara a la venta se extiende por ms de 2300 m en el prestigioso barrio de Lincoln Park, Chicago. Idaho: 105 Camas Road, Ketchum - US$19,75 millones. Really fun, great views at the top! Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. 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. Narrow in some parts. The trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. It is very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All Trails route endswell marked. At the 2-mile mark the road reconnects with the Chicago Lakes Trail. Wildflowers are starting to bloom at the upper lake. There was enough snow but didnt need. Official websites use .gov A .gov The lakes were a popular destination even before the National Forest was established. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Roads leading to this trailhead are subject to seasonal closure due to winter weather conditions. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). 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. The trail can be extremely muddy and boggy during the spring, with the last push up to the upper lake covered in ice and snow. Especially with the tree colors changing. 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. The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. However, most people dont want to stop there, many continue on to the upper lake, which adds and additional .6 mile to the trail. Definitely micro-spikes needed and snowshoes towards the top. I am coming to Denver end of October (18-23). Experience this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. . Wyoming Hikes. Next time, Ill probably try to start earlier than 6:30 AM, or at least not on a weekend. Im from Ohio so this was another world for me. Youre right. 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. After a short break there to enjoy the scenery, planning to scramble up to the 3rd lake, before heading back. Relatively close to Denver. Chicago Lakes and Summit Lake Trail Hike! Beautiful hike. It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! Great hike with lots of beautiful places to camp near both Lower and Upper Chicago Lakes. Only a couple scrambles but it is a slower go than you might think. Only saw 3 people Saturday afternoon. ( Check out this 17.6-mile point-to-point trail near Chicago, Illinois. Lots of snow, we did not have snowshoes, but they would have helped. You will find a trail register and a self-service permit station. Any other tips for this hike that you would give to our readers? View a Colorado Trail Explorer(COTREX) Map of Chicago Lakes Trail. Plus there were lots of aspens changing right before you got to the trailhead. Chicago Lakefront Trail. Illinois: 1932 N. Burling St., Chicago - US$45 millones. Colorado Wildside 276 subscribers Chicago Lakes in Idaho Springs, Colorado Day Hike Video Arrived at Echo Lake around 6:30 on 5/31 and there were about 10-15 cars at that time. At a Glance General Information Directions: From Idaho Springs: Take exit #240 onto Hwy 103. Only a couple scrambles but it is a slower go than you might think. It levels across a major tributary through treeline (3.2 miles : 11,321') to a marked spur for lower Chicago Lake (3.95 miles : 11,545'). Its a good trip to warm up on before trying longer ascents. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times in the Mt Evans Wilderness. Explore this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. There is a trail that connects with the Chicago Lakes Trail, a trail that will take you up to the summit of Mt. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. Campfires are permitted for dispersed backcountry camping, with potential seasonal and elevation restrictions. Easily one of my favorite hikes in Colorado since you get to explore three separate lakes and decently varied terrain This one is no cakewalk though, its got some steep sections and is consistently uphill. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. Be sure to bring these along, just in case. Colorado Hikes. The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. The trail continues, faint at times, up a steeper section to Upper Chicago Lake. Want to take in some of Colorados breathtaking scenery and put some miles under your hiking boots? The views are absolutely breathtaking. Carpools meet at Wooly Mammoth section GG at 7:15. 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. Ive seen one other website where someone claimed it was 12 miles as well. A little slippery in some places. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews Be mindful of changing weather patterns and aim for treeline well before storms develop. Vicinity: Near Idaho Springs Use of the access road is by permit only and available exclusively to Idaho Springs residents. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Share sensitive information only Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. You'll see moose, mountain goats, elk, and big horn sheep. Fort Collins, CO 80526 Begin in Idaho Springs, where you'll explore the mining heritage of a former gold camp. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 ftRoute type Point to point. 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. Address: 12932 CO-103, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 ( Evergreen) Phone: 303-567-3000 (Idaho Spgs Office) Season: Year-round Fees: None, only campground fee Map: Clear Creek (PDF) - Motor Vehicle Use Map containing forest service roads and where dispersed camping is permitted. According to a 1945 trail plan, the trail extended to Summit Lake, although the total mileage is given as only 4.6 miles. She wanted to hike our beautiful mountains. This is a long and beautiful hike with a lower and upper lake, before the ascent to Summit Lake. Group size is limited to 15 individuals. Keys checked out on Friday must be returned by noon the following Monday. It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. The higher parts of the trail are usually covered with snow from November through mid-July. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. Official websites use .gov A .gov I didnt see any signs for the reservoir, only Chicago lakes, so we didnt fully complete and turned around at the creek passing. 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. Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! An official website of the Nothing can be found of the other at the south end of the lake, but a photo from the 1880s by William Henry Jackson shows the cabin next to the lake. Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. Use of the access road is by permit only and available exclusively to Idaho Springs residents. This was a stunning hike! This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The first segment to the creek is often done by families. The trail will diverge away from Echo Lake and will traverse along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the distance. 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. 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Clear Creek Ranger District this was another world for me of Mount Evans Wilderness, spruce and fir will them... Earlier than 6:30 am, or at least not on a Saturday morning wasnt!