Every native outdoor enthusiast has their favorite trail/area to explore. Which one is yours? Devil's Thumb? Boulder Creek? Garden of the Gods? While all of these fairly well-known trails are beautiful, they may be a bit congested due to their popularity. The virtually unknown, hidden gem of a trail known as Ice Lake, however, may just be one of the quietest, most gorgeous, yet underrated hikes of them all.
Located near Silverton in the San Juan National Forest, the Ice Lakes Trail features jaw-dropping views of lush meadows, colorful peaks, and the pristine waters of the Island, Clear, Fuller, and Ice Lakes.
No matter your skill level or desired length of hike, Ice Lake and its surrounding trailheads has something for everyone. For a full list of these trailheads, distances, and locations, check out this handy guide from Hiking & Walking.
Colorado is full of adventures! There are literally thousands of hikes you can take in our great state, and every one of them is beautiful and exciting. No matter how many you undertake, there are even more out there to try now, tomorrow, next week, next month, next season, or next year! If you're someone who feels like you have done it all in Colorado - you surely haven't. Keep on going, and you're sure to find more breathtaking vistas every time you lace up your hiking boots and set out on a new-to-you path.
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If you're someone who likes a good challenge and who is in search of yet another truly unforgettable hike, then you're going to love the hike to Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. This 8-mile hike is one of the highest-rated hikes in Colorado on AllTrails.com and with good reason - it's absolutely magnificent.
It's important to come prepared because this trail isn't easy. In fact, it's rated challenging, and due to the fact that the trailhead where you start is already at 9,400 feet above sea level, you'll want to be sure that you are both properly acclimated to the elevation and are familiar with high-elevation hiking before you take it on. There's often no cell phone service in this part of the park, and you'll want to make sure you bring enough water along with you so you can hydrate properly along the way.
Further, the Chasm Lake Trail is of the out-and-back variety. You'll have to go back the way that you came to get back to the Longs Peak Trailhead and your car. It's uphill the entire way to the alpine lake at the top and you'll gain 2,552 feet of elevation along the way. However, that means it's downhill the whole way back, which will be quite a gift for most. Due to the length and challenge level of this hike, many people begin hiking to Chasm Lake as early as 3 a.m. to make sure they'll make it back by the afternoon.
Although this trail is quite challenging, you're sure to find the effort you put forth to reach Chasm Lake to be well worth it. On your way up, you'll pass through subalpine forest and will eventually bypass the tree line. Near the lake, some boulder scrambling is required to reach your final destination. The lake itself sits in the shadow of Longs Peak, the park's highest peak at 14,259' and the 15th tallest peak in the state. When you reach Chasm Lake, which is located at nearly 12,000', you'll also find Ships Prow Tower (13,365') to its left and Mount Lady Washington (13,245') to its right.
This is big mountain country, folks! You'll be overwhelmed by the size of these peaks and you'll be even more blown away by the fact you walked all the way up to this lake near their tops. Due to the fact that this area receives a lot of snow in the winter, this hike should only be attempted from June to October, and even then you'll probably find snow near the lake. You may even need spikes or crampons in the early summer to complete your ascent.
If you're a fit, experienced hiker who loves a good challenge paired with Colorado beauty and the reward of an alpine lake at the climax of your hikes, then you're going to love hiking to Chasm Lake. This is a Colorado hike that should not be missed and is another one that you surely will never, ever forget. Happy trails to you.
Do you like hiking? Do you like hot springs? Do you like hiking to hot springs? If so, a trip to Rainbow Hot Springs should be in your future. This remote, natural, undeveloped hot springs is a joy at the end of a beautiful trail.
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The Rainbow Hot Springs Trail starts at the West Fork Trailhead outside of Pagosa Springs. If you're visiting The Springs Resort in Pagosa, then a hike to Rainbow Hot Springs is a great addition. While The Springs Resort is absolutely lovely and is one of the best hot springs resorts in Colorado, it's a luxury resort for a high-end, classy experience. It's a wonderful place to relax and be pampered and to relax in a vast number of maintained hot springs pools at a variety of different temperatures. It's truly fantastic.
Rainbow Hot Springs is at the opposite end of the spectrum of hot springs, but it is equally lovely and fantastic in an entirely different way. The two hot springs pools that make up Rainbow Hot Springs are located on the bank of the San Juan River. Hot water enters the river from its sides into the cooler, flowing river; visitors have created hot springs pools by stacking rocks, and you can adjust the pool's temperature by moving rocks to allow or prevent cool water from entering the pool. This type of hot spring pool is as natural as it gets, and its beauty is the fact it is so primitive.
You'll love relaxing in these hot springs pools after the long hike to reach them. To get to the trailhead, you'll go northeast from Pagosa Springs on US 160 for 16 miles; turn left on West Fork Campground Road (CR 648) and continue seven miles to the West Fork Trailhead.
From there, you'll follow the trail for about four or five miles past the Borns Lake cabins until you come to the campground. The hot springs can be reached by following trails down to the water near sites six, seven, and eight. Look for stacked rocks in the water to located Rainbow Hot Springs - and get in!
There's an upper and lower pool here; be sure to try both. The lower pool averages about 95 degrees, but the smaller, upper pool runs about 105. Both pools will be quite pleasant after your hike.
Of course, remember to pack out whatever you brought in to help keep Rainbow Hot Springs beautiful for other visitors.
You will have experienced about 1000 feet of elevation gain on your hike to Rainbow Hot Springs, but don't worry - it's almost entirely downhill on the way back to your car. This hike is beautiful - you'd be sure to enjoy it even if it didn't have a pair of hot springs at its end - so be sure to take your time along the way and take lots of pictures. Rainbow Hot Springs is an adventure worth undertaking! You'll love this hike and soak combination - plan a visit today.
