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'). The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. I can see why this is a popular one. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). on official, secure websites. Gaiters might be a good idea. It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! Utah Hiking. 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. Be the first to share your experience. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. Explore the full trail profile below for the Chicago Lakes which includes driving directions, map, and tips. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Would have been incredibly difficult without. Comments. I plan to hike it in full when I get a chance to return to Denver, so thanks for all the information everyone. The north segment of trail from Echo Lake down to the Idaho Springs reservoir on Chicago Creek was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, and was called the Chicago Reservoir trail or simply the Reservoir Trail. Facilities include vault toilets and seasonal water. The road up to Echo Lake should be open, and that is a beautiful area. Narrow trail. Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! This was a stunning hike! Overall beautiful hike. The trail continues to the upper lake, above treeline. Group size is limited to 15 individuals. Turn left and continue along the road toward the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Youll pass three more mountain lakes as you punch up into the high country of Colorados Mt. Mountain views. When I have visitors in town that enjoy hiking, this is the place I take them. Im from Ohio so this was another world for me. Trail Description: Begin at the Echo Lake Trailhead. Lower Chicago Lake: 11,420 ft. Upper Chicago Lake: 11,740 ft. I especially enjoyed the solitude mid-week. Genesee Pub and BBQ, https://www.geneseepubandbbq.com/ Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. 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. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Official websites use .gov A .gov 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. Definitely need yak tracks or spikes if you do it in winter as the trail is fairly icy! We just walked around the lake trail. LockA locked padlock Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. We were up at Summit Lake and saw that there was a trail that looked like it went down from there to the Chicago Lakes. Not too difficult, not too easy. ) or https:// means you've safely Use of the access road is by permit only and available exclusively to Idaho Springs residents. The first segment to the creek is often done by families. Illinois: 1932 N. Burling St., Chicago - US$45 millones. Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. As conditions warrant, may turn back after the 2nd lake and avoid the last grueling stretch up to Summit Lake. The creek at the bottom provides a nice resting area. Great hike! Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. The trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). A little slippery in some places. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The trail to the second lake, which is above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. Get Driving Directions Intermediate Trails This trail starts out as a narrow, closed road winding through the forest at a slight grade. Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. Hiking conditions are best from July through September. View a COTREX map here. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Golden CO 80401. Added by The Outbound Collective The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. Evans sits a small 160 acre preserve of some of the world's oldest living trees. Beautiful hike. Designated in 1965, this 207 acre natural landmark is located on city-owned land. Lots of parking, and restrooms at the start, which was a plus. Plus there were lots of aspens changing right before you got to the trailhead. Grasses and wildflowers fill the hillsides, while young aspen have emerged in replenished soils. 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. A $100 cash deposit is required. 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. Sign your group in (no fee) and continue up the trail. Goliath. Share sensitive information only From Idaho Springs at the intersection of I-70 and Highway 103, proceed south on Highway 103 to mile marker 9. Trail, USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District. By signing up for this hike you agree to relieve the event hosts of any liabilities for any harm that may occur to you during the hike as well as any transportation incidents that may occur traveling to and from the hike Meetup. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. Discover this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. As youll see in the comments on this hike, people come back with different trail lengths. Didnt love walking up the dirt road to get to the second lake but the part through the woods was great. 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. Ive gone in and updated it. Even the dogs had a great time! 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'). The road is Colorado Highway 5, and you can check its status at http://www.cotrip.org/ The views are absolutely breathtaking. Quite icy in one area near the edge of the mountain. Trip Reports Some smaller dogs were struggling but seemed manageable with breaks. I can see why this is a popular one. 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. Please be considerate of your drivers and offer to help pay for gas. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. Evans. Both lakes can be fished, as well as the lower Idaho Springs Reservoir that you pass on your way. Views are amazing! Chicago Lakes Trail in Mount Evans Wilderness Where: Mount Evans Wilderness, Colorado Distance: 9.1 miles | 14.6 km Elevation Gain: 2,142 feet | 652 meters Time to Complete: 5-8 hours Difficulty: Challenging to Difficult Best Time to Hike: July to September Park Fee: Free Hiker Traffic: Moderate Cell Service: Spotty I did this hike with my wife today and it was awesome. We hiked a short section of this trail in May while exploring the area. ", "Intended to hike to the summit of Mt. Contact Information Clear Creek Ranger District Fort Collins, CO 80526 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. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Didnt need snow shoes but would suggest yak traks! Evans Wilderness area. Is this still a time to go hiking on Mt Evans or will it be to late in the season. Turn right (west) onto Mt. Youre right. Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 ftRoute type Point to point. Relatively close to Denver. It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. Camping is prohibited within 100' of any lake or stream. The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. To begin this adventure, we drove up to the Summit Lake parking lot at around 5am. Be mindful of changing weather patterns and aim for treeline well before storms develop. 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. I didnt see any signs for the reservoir, only Chicago lakes, so we didnt fully complete and turned around at the creek passing. Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. ", "Dogs must be on a leash in Mount Evans Wilderness and legal hunting is permitted. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. The Chicago Lakes Trail begins at Echo Lake (west side), 13.25 miles south of I-70 on HWY 103. Loved this hike. Continue along the beautiful trail, heading further . Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. The Chicago Lakes Trail begins at Echo Lake (west side), 13.25 miles south of I-70 on HWY 103. A great trail for intermediate hikers and dogs. 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. Even the dogs had a great time! Thought I was going to die but the view is so worth it. 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. Group size limited to 15 people and/or 10 pack/stock animals per party. I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? Ive seen one other website where someone claimed it was 12 miles as well. Hike goes right through woods and also had some scrambling. Two hundred feet past mile marker 9, on the right side of Highway 103, is the gated access road. It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! A friend came to Denver from Germany this week. Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Fishing is permitted at Idaho Springs Reservoir, Chicago Lakes and along Chicago Creek with a valid Colorado fishing license. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). An official website of the It sure is a beautiful area! Any other tips for this hike that you would give to our readers? Views are amazing! Looking for amazing views and some high mountain lakes near Denver? I am coming to Denver end of October (18-23). One vehicle per key. A great trail for intermediate hikers and dogs. General Information Directions: I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103.Go south for approx. Please arrive a few minutes early to arrange rides. Some beautiful views and so much water. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Only a couple scrambles but it is a slower go than you might think. 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. This challenging hike takes you to two high mountain lakes with amazing views of the Mt. Not a great trail for dogs especially with it being snowy and icy. Its definitely a long hike, we started at Echo lake both times. Hiked 3/11 with microspikes which was plenty. Perfect trail! Get the Hiking Guide and our Trail Dispatch for hiking tips and new trails. . Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Idaho Springs Reservoir covers 20 square acres with a maximum depth of 30'. Aaron Johnson has been hiking in Colorado for over 20 years. Photos (933) Directions. Plus there were lots of aspens changing right before you got to the trailhead. Activities Camping & Cabins Chicago Lakes - MEWA - fishing in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! It was beautiful! Use of the key is limited a 24 hour period per request designating the number of persons in the permit holders party and description of the allowed vehicle. Camps, campfires and stock, where allowed, at least 100 feet from water and trails. Check out our profile of the Chicago Lakes hike on the sides of Mt. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. Still worth it, though. Bikes, mechanized vehicles and hunting are. Tennessee Hikes. After Hours Non Emergencies Phone: 303.679.2393. At a Glance Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. Rocky but well maintained. Wyoming Hikes. Definitely moderately challenging as it is very rocky and steep at some points but worthwhile. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. However as far as 14er's go, this is a cake walk. Chicago Lakes Trail is an 11.3-mile moderately trafficked out-and-back trail rated as hard. Create Recommended Route or The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. Especially with the tree colors changing. You'll see moose, mountain goats, elk, and big horn sheep. Ben, Thanks for update on the mileage and verifying it with the GPS. The higher parts of the trail are usually covered with snow from November through mid-July. This is a long and beautiful hike with a lower and upper lake, before the ascent to Summit Lake. 25948 Genesee Trail Rd AJ Ive done this hike twice now. Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. It was a great workout. 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. Her first time in the USA! This is a great day hike! Lots of snow, we did not have snowshoes, but they would have helped. 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. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. At a Glance General Information Directions: From Idaho Springs: Take exit #240 onto Hwy 103. Getting there: I-70 exit #240 up Hwy 103 12.5 mi from Idaho Springs, approx. The trail circles Echo Lake and connects to several other trails: Chicago Lakes, Bear Track Lakes trails, which give you access to Mount Evans Wilderness Area which is full of other great hiking trails,and Mt. 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. One of my favorites. Skip to content FatManLittleTrail. It climbs through a burn area, the result of a fire in the 1970s, then continues to climb to Lower Chicago lake. A good workout- going up both ways! According to my GPS, this was about 12 miles. Echo Lake Trailhead is located south of Idaho Springs on Hwy 103. Very low water levels and no snow looks like we are in for a drought this year folks. website belongs to an official government organization in the We had snowshoes but spikes would work fine, and maybe even better on the ridge areas. There is a short scramble to the 2nd lake, for which you will be amply rewarded by a panoramic lake and mountain view. The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake . Great as a day hike, or relaxed overnight trip. As conditions warrant, may turn back after the 2nd lake and . You'll reach Lower Chicago Lake in just 3.95 miles. Chicago Lakefront Trail. From Idaho Springs: Take exit #240 onto Hwy 103. South Dakota Hikes. Nebraska Hikes. It crests a ridge in open tundra overlooking upper Chicago Lake, from which the shore is easily reached (4.9 miles : 11,733'). In September of 2013, heavy rains caused a serious washout just above Upper Chicago Lake. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? Get to know this 6.9-km out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. 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. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times in the Mt Evans Wilderness. NOTE: unsure if spikes will be necessary. Season: Midsummer through mid-fall. * There are several . Upper Chicago Lake is above treeline, and can get very windy. Definitely bring Yaktraks or spikes for this one! Even if you could, that would be a really long hike in with a kayak on your back :). Early quad maps from the early 1900s show the trail and two cabins in the vicinity of the lower lake. Visitor Information: 970-295-6600, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=28396&actid=37, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado Trail Explorer(COTREX) Map of Chicago Lakes Trail, A mandatory free self-issuing permit is required for the. So beautiful and surprisingly empty for a Saturday. You will find a trail register and a self-service permit station. Overall the hike was peaceful, quiet, great views, and the lake and reservoir looks amazing iced over! 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. Evans summit. One of my favorites. 601 Denver, CO 80202. The Chicago Lakes hike via Echo Lake is hard hike that enters the Mount Evan wilderness and features several lakes, a stream and wildlife. Lakes and streams; treat water for drinking. Go south for approximately 12 miles to the junction of Hwy 103 and Hwy 5. Great hike! All trash must be picked up and carried out of the Reservoir premises. So, to clear this up: Beginning at Echo Lake, the trail is 4.24 miles one-way to the lake. Narrow in some parts. Campfires are permitted for dispersed backcountry camping, with potential seasonal and elevation restrictions. What an GREAT hike and made our day to find the most amazing trail yet! About 3 miles instead of the full 4. Got there at 9 on a Saturday morning and wasnt very crowded with plenty of parking. Wildlife. From Idaho Springs take W. Chicago Creek trail south to Echo Lake. Summit Lake Park - Idaho Springs. There is a trail that connects with the Chicago Lakes Trail, a trail that will take you up to the summit of Mt. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. Recommend snow shoes as the trail is narrow and the snow is deep in some areas. Next time, Ill probably try to start earlier than 6:30 AM, or at least not on a weekend. It climbs through a burn area, the result of a fire in the 1970s, then continues to climb to Lower Chicago lake. Id recommend contacting the Forest Service to find the answer. 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. 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