View a Colorado Trail Explorer(COTREX) Map of Chicago Lakes Trail. At a Glance General Information Directions: From Idaho Springs: Take exit #240 onto Hwy 103. Create Recommended Route or 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. View a COTREX map here. Evans or down to the Chicago Lakes basin. Only saw 3 people Saturday afternoon. Not a great trail for dogs especially with it being snowy and icy. It climbs through a burn area, the result of a fire in the 1970s, then continues to climb to Lower Chicago lake. It is a popular facility for hiking and fishing enthusiasts. It is very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All Trails route endswell marked. Mountain views. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the Arapaho National Forest and Mt Evans Wilderness Area. . (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. 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 trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. About five minutes into the hike is the permit station. United States. based on 5 tracks & routes | #50 hike out of 256 in Arapaho National Forest | EASY smartphoneSave Hike View Photos ( 20) fullscreen link share Share Driving Directions file_download GPX/KML 1.2 mi Distance 37 min Time terrain 338 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a easy one way trail in Arapaho National Forest. About 3 miles instead of the full 4. Explore the full trail profile below for the Chicago Lakes which includes driving directions, map, and tips. Beautiful hike and great for dogs. It was a beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again. connected to the .gov website. 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. Follow the path on your right until it leads you down into the valley and across the creek. The remains of one can be found along the trail by sharp eyed hikers. . One member of each party is required to register at the Mt Evans Wilderness boundary board and carry a copy of the registration with them during their visit. This challenging hike takes you to two high mountain lakes with amazing views of the Mt. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. 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. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. A friend came to Denver from Germany this week. To get to the Upper Chicago Lake, head back to the Chicago Lakes Trail and continue another mile. Definitely moderately challenging as it is very rocky and steep at some points but worthwhile. That will lead you to another sign about .5 mile later directing you to the trail. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Looking for amazing views and some high mountain lakes near Denver? 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. Photograph Ancient Bristlecone Pines on Mt. Definitely need yak tracks or spikes if you do it in winter as the trail is fairly icy! Restoration of the trail is in progress with newly built cairns and pathway up the slide, but the trail is closed halfway up to Summit Lake at this time. The trail will diverge away from Echo Lake and will traverse along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the distance. Hiking conditions are best from July through September. 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. A good workout- going up both ways! Easy 4.6 (366) Lincoln Park. Circle the lake, or continue over its outlet on the trail leading up to Summit Lake (12,830'), which provides panoramas over the basin, and back down the entire Chicago Creek drainage. Great views of the trees starting to change and pass between the peaks at the beginning of the trail. Lots of parking, and restrooms at the start, which was a plus. It provides access to the Chicago Lakes Trail (#52)and the Resthouse Meadows Trail (#57). The views are absolutely breathtaking. The first segment to the creek is often done by families. 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. Go south for approximately 12 miles to the junction of Hwy 103 and Hwy 5. 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. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. Trail Photos I can see why this is a popular one. ( It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! Thanks for the recommendations! It started to rain lightly on the hike back to Echo Lake as we were not properly prepared for weather changes. Skip to content FatManLittleTrail. Wildlife. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. Recommend snow shoes as the trail is narrow and the snow is deep in some areas. Didnt need snow shoes but would suggest yak traks! Lots of snow, we did not have snowshoes, but they would have helped. The upper lake was amazing. Narrow in some parts. We started late in the day, so we decided not to go far because we didnt want to get stuck, and also it was mainly show covered. on official, secure websites. The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. Any other tips for this hike that you would give to our readers? 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. Even the dogs had a great time! Grasses and wildflowers fill the hillsides, while young aspen have emerged in replenished soils. Turn right (west) onto Mt. 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. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Perfect trail! Id recommend contacting the Forest Service to find the answer. 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). Some smaller dogs were struggling but seemed manageable with breaks. Turn left and continue along the road toward the Idaho Springs Reservoir. 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'). 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. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. 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. Note that high valley walls may block your view of oncoming weather. Didnt love the dirt road for 1.5 miles. We took our friend here for their visit and it was perfect. It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. There is tree cover just below Upper Chicago Lake with good views over Lower Chicago Lake. You'll reach Lower Chicago Lake in just 3.95 miles. 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. So beautiful and surprisingly empty for a Saturday. A bit muddy heading up to the second lake with runoff down the trail, but dry where it gets steeper. Only a couple scrambles but it is a slower go than you might think. Trail: Generally well marked and easy to follow. Lots of parking, and restrooms at the start, which was a plus. After a short break there to enjoy the scenery, planning to scramble up to the 3rd lake, before heading back. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Right after the trailhead, you pass through a few camping sites in the Chicago Creek Picnic Area. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Be sure to bring these along, just in case. Camps, campfires and stock, where allowed, at least 100 feet from water and trails. The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. It is very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All Trails route endswell marked. Lakes and streams; treat water for drinking. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Here is the AllTrails link to the description and directions: 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 . Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. ", "Hiked Chicago Lakes to Summit Lake and walked down the Mt Evans road. It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. Clear Creek Ranger District 101 Chicago Creek Road P.O. If it did go to Summit Lake, it was poorly defined above the upper lake and hikers generally just made their own way.On 10/9/1978, the Reservoir Fire began from an abandoned campfire near the south end of the reservoir. Beautiful hike! Some beautiful views and so much water. 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. Got there at 9 on a Saturday morning and wasnt very crowded with plenty of parking. Arizona Hiking. Great 4 mile hike. Lots of people stopping in to look at the lake. on official, secure websites. 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 1930s, and was called the Chicago Reservoir trail or simply the Reservoir Trail. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. 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. Continue along the beautiful trail, heading further . Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. However as far as 14er's go, this is a cake walk. Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! Evans sits a small 160 acre preserve of some of the world's oldest living trees. 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. It was a great workout. All trash must be picked up and carried out of the Reservoir premises. It crests a ridge in open tundra overlooking upper Chicago Lake, from which the shore is easily reached (4.9 miles : 11,733'). Pretty steep at parts, but manageable. Can anyone give me any info on this trail or point me to a link for some info on it? There is a trail that connects with the Chicago Lakes Trail, a trail that will take you up to the summit of Mt. The upper lake was amazing. Nueva Jersey: 275 Indian Trail . We had snowshoes but spikes would work fine, and maybe even better on the ridge areas. Relatively close to Denver. However, most people dont want to stop there, many continue on to the upper lake, which adds and additional .6 mile to the trail. 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. From Idaho Springs: Take exit #240 onto Hwy 103. 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. La casa ms cara en venta de Illinois. Camping is prohibited within 100' of any lake or stream. We saw a moose! This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Some smaller dogs were struggling but seemed manageable with breaks. While the Mt. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The trail to the second lake, which is above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake . Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews If you see mile marker 10, you have gone too far. Gorgeous day! Youll hike Mount Evans is a simple, yet drop dead gorgeous 14er. South Dakota Hikes. Added by The Outbound Collective Trail Description: Begin at the Echo Lake Trailhead. A great trail for intermediate hikers and dogs. 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 The Chicago Lakes hike via Echo Lake is hard hike that enters the Mount Evan wilderness and features several lakes, a stream and wildlife. These are not easy dayhikes, so be sure you prepare and bring the 10 Essentials (really, we should always pack the 10 essentials) :) Id recommend picking up a Trails Illustrated map or printing off a quad map of this before taking the route. Map. FRIENDS OF MOUNT EVANS & LOST CREEK WILDERNESSESPO BOX 3431EVERGREEN, CO 80437. Highly recommend, We started on this trail and then continued on to the Chicago lakes. Mountain views. Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 ftRoute type Point to point. So this is a great opportunity to get acclimated to a little altitude. Slushy snow the whole way with some bare patches. Chicago Lakes Mount Evans Wilderness Arapaho National Forest Distance: 10 miles (RT) Elevation Gain: 1,400ft Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service Fee: None Chicago Lakes Trail Webpage (USFS) Directions: The trail to the Chicago Lakes starts at the Echo Lake picnic area. It was beautiful! Once you get down the mountain theres about a mile long stretch to the reservoir where you get a fantastic view of the mountains! Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E No busses allowed. The Mt. Experience this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Echo Lake Trailhead is located south of Idaho Springs on Hwy 103. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The permit is non-transferable.The permit holder must accompany his or her party. Tennessee Hikes. ", "Dogs must be on a leash in Mount Evans Wilderness and legal hunting is permitted. Trail is unmarked but lots of hard packed snow. Youre right. It lies in a classic U-shaped glacial valley with steep walls along the sides and at the end. Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Evans Road, through the entrance station and take this all the way up to Summit Lake Park. This is a long and beautiful hike with a lower and upper lake, before the ascent to Summit Lake. The higher parts of the trail are usually covered with snow from November through mid-July. ) or https:// means you've safely A little slippery in some places. It is located near Idaho Springs and features three lakes. I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . 12 mile to the junction of Hwy 103 and 5, the trail starts behind the Echo Lake Lodge. Idaho Springs Reservoir via Chicago Lakes Trail, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/home/?cid=fsm91_058362. Evans Ridge, Summit Flats. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? The trial to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake offers up amazing views of Mount Evans Wilderness. Note bristlecone and limber pine in this area, high altitude species adapted to extreme conditions. Share sensitive information only Only used to identify you to ProTrails. It was a beautiful hike though and would definitely do it again. Join our Community. The lakes were a popular destination even before the National Forest was established. United States. Chicago Lakes and Summit Lake Trail Hike! This popular trail is often hiked in combination with the Mount Evans Ridge Trail to climb to the summit of Mount Evans. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Failure to return the key when due may result in loss of the privilege to borrow the key. The permit must be either displayed on the dash of the vehicle or carried on the users person at all times while inside the gated area. 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. It advanced up the valley for a week before being controlled, burning 400 acres.In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake in a safer, more sustainable location. It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. 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. Didnt love the dirt road for 1.5 miles. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Fort Collins, CO 80526 Elevation starts at just over 10,000' with a gain of 3300'. The climb to Summit Lake was mostly clear of snow. Elevation starts at just over 10,000' with a gain of 3300'. 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. This was a stunning hike! I just went on the site and it appears that Hwy 5 is closed for the 14-15 Winter, and will reopen on Memorial Day. I think this trail should be "hard" versus "moderate" . A great trail for intermediate hikers and dogs. Overall beautiful hike. Chicago Lakefront Trail. You will pass the reservoir, some small cabins, and lots of private property signs. Pretty icy but did just fine with our yaktracks. Wildflowers are starting to bloom at the upper lake. A good workout- going up both ways! Upper Chicago Lake is above treeline, and can get very windy. This was a gorgeous hike! West Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout. Make sure to bring water & a little snack. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock We just walked around the lake trail. The Idaho Springs Reservoir is located in the upper portion of the Chicago Creek watershed at an approximate elevation of 10,600 feet and is a popular destination for hikers and anglers alike. Perfect trail! Continue past the reservoir and past the cabins to reach the Mount Evans Wilderness Area Boundary, and shortly after you will pass through the reservoir fire area that burned more than 400 acres in 1978. 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'). It has a couple scary rocks you have to cross. Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. We saw a moose! This is a great day hike! So beautiful and surprisingly empty for a Saturday. . (Hard). Come climb a mountain 14,000 feet above the ocean's tides, take a relaxing drive through the Rocky Mountains, or wet your fishing line in one of the many alpine lakes and streams. The trail will turn into Idaho Springs Reservoir Road, then will return to a normal trail. The trail is usually pretty doable by Independence Day. ", "Note that just after the idaho reservoir are signs for private property, just keep going and you will see signs for chicago lakes. Great trail! Hikes. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Definitely bring Yaktraks or spikes for this one! Check out this 17.6-mile point-to-point trail near Chicago, Illinois. No fires except in designated fire pits on City property. So, to clear this up: Beginning at Echo Lake, the trail is 4.24 miles one-way to the lake. ", "Intended to hike to the summit of Mt. Once down, a clearer path leads to the open outlet area and northeast shore where you'll find ideal morning light. 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. Some beautiful views and so much water. Beautiful views at the top!! Please follow the route up the debris flow, avoiding trampling the sensitive tundra vegetation nearby. . LockA locked padlock Official websites use .gov A .gov Loved this hike. Definitely needed snow shoes for the last part of the trail after the dam. In September of 2013, heavy rains caused a serious washout just above Upper Chicago Lake. Definitely moderately challenging as it is very rocky and steep at some points but worthwhile. Get the Hiking Guide and our Trail Dispatch for hiking tips and new trails. Trip Reports The road is Colorado Highway 5, and you can check its status at http://www.cotrip.org/ Went in December and the Lakes were totally frozen over which was magical. Nice, pretty wooded hike that, until the half mile or so before the reservoir, is very rocky. Summit Lake Park - Idaho Springs. Check out our profile of the Chicago Lakes hike on the sides of Mt. Evans Wilderness area. Will not show on comments list. The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. It steepens considerably up the rock face separating the two lakes, a strenuous climb with a commanding view over Chicago Lake #1 and the valley below. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. Get a good, early start to avoid any potential bad weather. I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. It is located near Idaho Springs and features three lakes. Can you kayak at any of the 3 lakes that are on the way up to the Chicago lake trail? Thanks. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. Turn right down the first dirt road on your right and continue .25 miles to the parking area. Use of the access road is by permit only and available exclusively to Idaho Springs residents. Illinois: 1932 N. Burling St., Chicago - US$45 millones. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Both lakes offer . 25948 Genesee Trail Rd A wonderful hike--trail conditions good until encountering significant mud between the lower Chicago lake and the upper lake. Quite icy in one area near the edge of the mountain. Aaron Johnson has been hiking in Colorado for over 20 years. Views are amazing! The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. Its one of my new favorites for sure. Go 3 miles to campground. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. I took my time hiking up to the upper lake, then took even longer getting back since the trail was starting to get crowded. I plan to hike it in full when I get a chance to return to Denver, so thanks for all the information everyone. Really fun, great views at the top! The upper lake was gorgeous but the wind coming over the mountain ridge made lingering long rough. Ive seen one other website where someone claimed it was 12 miles as well. And if you are interested in the Mt. Even if you could, that would be a really long hike in with a kayak on your back :).