Follow the good gravel road for 4.4 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right (North) side of the road, just across from the South Mineral Campground. This isn't an amusement park, it is wilderness. Likely this fire due to the carelessness of a hiker or camper. When we got to the loop, we went right (counter clockwise) and had the trail and first lake all to ourselves. The Ice Lake Basin trail, though strenuous, features jaw dropping views of more than 3 alpine lakes surrounded by the jaw-dropping San Juan Mountain range in the backdrop. Ice Lake, Ontario, a lake and a community in Canada; Ice Lake, New Zealand, in the list of lakes of New Zealand; United States. It delivered nonstop, stunning scenery perfectly integrated with a healthy amount of rigor. The views along the hike are amazing. It is not surprising at all that a recent fire has destroyed over 600 acres of this area. Weather was perfect. Lower Ice Lake is slightly below timberline, at the base of a towering ridgeline. This lake with a unique island, is in its own cirque surrounded by U.S. Grant Peak and its ridges. These are non-system trails that are not maintained by the San Juan National Forest. Ice Lakes trail has two common destinations, lower and upper. Ice Lake Basin Featured Route 7.3mi San Juan NF. Switchbacks, wildflowers, meadows, and more, read more about this absolutely essential trail and all it has to offer. Wondering how the situation is now. A permit system is now in place which you'll need to obtain from the Columbine Ranger District in order to hike this trail. This beautiful vegetation is increasingly prone to trampling in recent years as more and more visitors take to the trails to take in Ice Lake’s majesty. Upon reaching the lower basin great views open to Fuller, Vermillion Peak, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob rising above the … The trail is one of the most popular hikes in southwester Colorado. We went to the upper first then down to ice lake which is a color blue that barely looks real. Do everyone a favor and before you endeavor to hike, learn how to Leave No Trace. lots of tourists littering/talking too loud at the top. Ice Lake Trail . Note: Updated trail closure information can be viewed on the San Juan National Forest page here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recarea/?recid=42984&actid=50 A side trip to Fuller Lake to the south adds about 1.75 miles round trip and 335′ elevation gain. Yes, the hike is strenuous but it is absolutely worth it. Ice Lakes can also be accessed via the Phelps Creek Trailhead via the Leroy Creek Basin route or Carne Mountain High route with some off-trail … pick up your trash. Dog bags left on the trail. The view looking back on Ice Lake with U.S. Grant Peak (13,767 ft.) in the background is gorgeous, but Fuller Lake itself is not as pretty as Ice Lake. I, personally, wouldn’t take them to Island. Loving nature means respecting it. The last stretch of the hike is pretty extreme. The trail starts below treeline near the South Mineral Campground at an elevation of ~9,800 feet. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. Great hike overall. Five years ago, Botsford said, a busy day on the Ice Lakes trail might see 250 hikers. Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202 This is due to the obscene amount of human waste left around the lake and trail. Ice Lakes Basin is located near Silverton, CO, a mecca of hiking, backpacking, and camping! The reviews were stellar, the photos spectacular, it was the perfect length at about 8.5 miles, and according to Google Maps, … for serious hikers I recommend early morning (like 6 or 7am) to avoid the crowds who lack hike etiquette. The Lower Ice Lake Basin. Trash left by hikers. Featured Routes. Please protect our trails though. The Durango Herald reports the fire started about a quarter-mile from the Ice Lake Basin trailhead about 2:30 p.m. Monday. Be very cautious when hiking the trail where it transitions from the lower basin to the upper basin and vice versa. The trail to Ice Lakes basin traverses through pine forest and treks through lush meadows filled with Columbine flowers and stalks of corn lilies. Ice Lake Trail (505) Area Status: Open This trail is short and steep. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot Knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. Ice Lake Trail (505) Area Status: Open This trail is short and steep. It was challenging. From the trailhead, the path ascends steeply uphill, gaining 1,600 feet in two miles as you burst into meadows that teem with wildflowers for much of the summer. We are in good shape and are fairly experienced hikers, so we chose to do the trail up to Ice Lake, then went over to Island Lake (a little sketchy in one part), and looped back around and down. First off the area is being evacuated today due to fire, so make other plans! Five years ago, Botsford said, a busy day on the Ice Lakes trail might see 250 hikers. I'd reiterate what someone said previously: if you're coming from a sea-level residence, give yourself time to acclimate. To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff to Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north on Highway 550 to County Road 7, located between mile markers 72 and 73. Ice Lake Basin Featured Route 7.3mi San Juan NF. Get Here. But it is worth it. the trail is almost entirely inclined up to ice lake and the hills only get steeper as you get closer. upper lake is still beautiful, even as it's surroundings are brown and barren. To get there you must return to Ice Lake and look up the slope above the northeast corner of the lake. The trail: The trail switchbacks for a few miles up toward Ice Lake Basin where it eventually levels out. Ice Lakes Trail [CLOSED] is a 8.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. And when I say that I scoured the internet, I mean I came across a description for Ice Lake Basin Trail and was immediately sold. This beautiful vegetation is increasingly prone to trampling in recent years as more and more visitors take to the trails to take in Ice Lake’s majesty. You break treeline right around where the loop starts. Length 8.2 miElevation gain 2798 ftRoute type Out & back The trail concludes at Ice Lake, which is the bluest lake you will ever see. You can camp at the first-come, first-serve South Mineral campground, which is located right next to the trailhead with 26 spots available.Along the forest road going to the trailhead, you will also find Golden Horn Campground, Anvil Campground, and Kendall Campground. The large waterfall is from Fueller Lake. A permit system is being considered by recreation managers but it is not underway. I’ll still give it a 5 star and hope someday I can come back for it. The trailhead has lots of parking, and this is a very popular trail. The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. I went clockwise, although either direction looks good. See more ideas about ice lake, san juan mountains, southwest colorado. Very difficult if you aren’t used to the elevation, as there is so much climbing. © 2018 - All Rights Reserved - San Juan Mountains Association | Web Design by Sweet P Web Development, Junior Naturalist Field Camps (Grades 1-6). Sign up for our eNews updates and be the first to know... SJMA was created in 1988 to assist the San Juan National Forest in providing education and interpretation of public lands in Southwest Colorado. In heading left, we hiked our tired legs straight to Ice Lake, and completely missed Island Lake. The hike is beautiful. Pictured is the south-facing slope the trail climbs. Maude. Ice Lakes Trailhead at South Mineral Campground Camping. Rewarding hike, moving counterclockwise on the loop to hit Island Lake prior to Ice Lake. Ice Lake Basin San Juan National Forest, Colorado Distance: 9.3 miles Traveled: Ice Lake Trailhead to Ice lake and Island Lake “A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. Ice Lake Basin offered a number of 13ers to climb and Blue Lakes Basin would give us a shot at Mount Sneffels. Ice Lake Trail is a portal to an enchanting alpine basin in Colorado’s southwestern San Juan Mountains, about six hours from Colorado Springs. A fire started when I just started the hike, saw people running down and l left too, later saw the smoke became massive as I was driving out of the mountain. Switchbacks, wildflowers, meadows, and more, read more about this absolutely essential trail and all it has to offer. Please use caution and travel at your own risk. The Ice Lake Basin trail, though strenuous, features jaw dropping views of more than 3 alpine lakes surrounded by the jaw-dropping San Juan Mountain range in the backdrop. Trail Attributes. There is a trail that leads around the lake for the 360 deg view. Follow the trail from Upper Ice Lakes Basin over a rise and across a plateau. This is, by far, the BEST hike I’ve ever done. A seasoned explorer in … Fewer people hike to Fuller Lake, making this a great place to escape the crowds in the basin. Ice Lake is a brilliant ice blue color and is in a cirque under 13,767-foot US Grant Peak. Follow the trail across a flatter approach to Ice Lake and marvel at the deep blue-green color that changes as shadows cross the lake. It is uphill all the way to the lake basin. Just be sure to park in the South Mineral parking lot, they have a sign explaining the trail. Spend some time exploring the basin or return the way you came. The trail might be difficult, but that doesn’t seem to deter the thousands of hikers this trail sees every season. Ice Lake Trail is a portal to an enchanting alpine basin in Colorado’s southwestern San Juan Mountains, about six hours from Colorado Springs. The over the past few months we have witnessed up to 200 cars in the lot and lined up along the road. The trail to Ice Lakes basin traverses through pine forest and treks through lush meadows filled with Columbine flowers and stalks of corn lilies. Trail to the Ice Lake and along the lake if you aren’t an experienced hiker, or you like to really take your time, you need to start EARLY because this one is going to take you a few hours. Very challenging. Expect a lot of stops and rests. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. Some tricky scrambling on a cliff edge just after Ice Lake - but do it slowly, it will be fine. It is closed temporarily due to fire-related hazards. A side trip to Island Lake to the northeast adds about 1.12 miles round trip and 130′ elevation gain. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. The Ice Lake Basin Trail is NOT under a permit system. View 7 Day Forecast on weather.gov. I hiked this trail in early October, and I started before sunrise. The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W … From Ice Lake the trail turns south and climbs another 330 feet to Fuller Lake, the highest and southernmost lake in the basin. As we found out, the Ice Basin Trail is a big lollipop loop with Island Lake sitting on one side of the loop and Ice Lake sitting on the other. You’ll pass through aspen, conifers, and into two distinct basins above the … This turn off is located between mile markers 72 and 73. The area will have been forever changed for sure. Lower Ice Lake is slightly below timberline, at the base of a towering ridgeline. The trail splits to the upper basin and island lake around 2-2.5 miles (include in trail description). The trail to Fuller Lake can be quite wet and muddy, but staying on the trail will help preserve the fragile alpine tundra. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground. It's very challenging but the views are 100% worth the hiking. Picture of Ice Lakes Basin Trailhead parking lot taken July 20th at 7 AM. The road leading to the trailhead is pretty smooth. The views of the mountains are gorgeous. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” Ice Lakes trail has two common destinations, lower and upper. Much of the green is gone but we enjoyed the fall colors along with the weather which was a bit cold and breezy at the lake. The updated closure (Forest Order SJ-2020-10) applies to ALL public entry, including hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers, skiers, and all motorized use including snowmobiles. Kiddies can totally do out and back to Ice Lake and Fuller Lake. This is a beautiful trail with awesome views all the way up. Trail Information : Trail descriptions, statistics, and more This juncture is intermittently marked with a cairn and is easy to miss. Dec 21, 2013 - Beautiful Alpine basin in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, with three pretty lakes - Ice, Fuller and Island. Very upsetting. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. Cascade Creek Trail (510) Cave Basin Trail (530) City Reservoir Trail (542) Clear Creek Trail (550) Coal Creek Trail (677) Columbine Lake Trail (509) Continental Divide NST Trail (813) Corral Draw Trail (521) Crater Lake Trail (623) Deer Creek Trail (678) Divide Lakes Trail (539) Dry Fork Trail (616) Dutch Creek Trail (516) East Creek Trail (535) From Ouray: Follow Highway 550 south from Ouray for about 20 miles to the turn off to South Mineral Campground. Most important learn how to poop and pee in the woods. Great (tough) day of hiking but oh, so worth it! Dogs are also able to use this trail. This trail was recommended to us and it did not disappoint. Pro Tips; If you have the legs and the weather is good, continue another half-mile north from the Ice Lakes to Island Lake, a stunning alpine pool with, you guessed it, a large island. It is located at the very beginning of Lower Ice Lake Basin. It is 3.5 miles to the Ice Lake, and 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Overall good hike. Unburied feces everywhere. I had no issues with the drive. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. Unfortunately this trail is grossly over used and abused. Trekking poles are a MUST. Make a sharp right onto County Road 7 and follow the gravel road for 4.4 miles to the trailhead parking area on the north side of the road across from the South Mineral Campground. Dogs are also able to use this trail. In the Upper Basin there are 3 large lakes including Ice Lake, Island Lake and Fuller Lake (the largest), as well as numerous smaller lakes. Ice Lakes trail has two common destinations, lower and upper. From the trailhead, a hike of a little more than three miles, with an ascent of about 2,400 feet, leads to one of the most spectacular settings in Colorado. The colorful trip to Ice Lake Basin also leads to Colorado's island in the sky. On recommendation, we went up to Island first and then to Ice Lake. During July and August, you will pass through a stunning array of flowers at each level. Lower Ice Lake Basin Lower Ice Lake Basin. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground. There are also some cool ruins there that are a bit of an eyesore, but its cool. Ice Lakes Basin sits at an elevation of 12,500 ft, and the trail begins at 9,900 ft. Because of this, some people get elevation sickness or have a hard time breathing on this hike, … The fire started near the parking lot for the ice lake basin trail, and now 600 acres have burned. The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W 107 46.428, The trail heads out NW from the parking lot. Use the wag bags available at the trail head or buy some prior to visiting and pack your toilet paper and waste out. Ice Lakes Basin sits at an elevation of 12,500 ft, and the trail begins at 9,900 ft. Because of this, some people get elevation sickness or have a hard time breathing on this hike, … And I feel like a complete champion for having completed it solo! This trail is excellent and a beautiful place to hike. You should see a faint trail angling up the slope near the bottom of an old mine tailing. Trail on Ice Lake, Clear Creek, and South Fork Mineral Creek in San Juan National Forest. I took the trail counter clockwise towards Island lake and I'm pretty happy I did because I saw the lakes from least favorite to favorite. From late July through August, the wildflowers are spectacular, with sub-alpine species in the Lower Basin and alpine species in the upper basin. Phenomenal trail. (Including a really annoying drone buzzing around ice lake). The trail now climbs steep switchbacks up a headwall to the Lower Ice Lake basin. From the trailhead, a hike of a little more than three miles, with an ascent of about 2,400 feet, leads to one of the most spectacular settings in Colorado. Toilet paper is every where on the ground. Total Length 3¾mi; Elevation Range Ice Lakes Basin is located near Silverton, CO, a mecca of hiking, backpacking, and camping! The trail: The trail switchbacks for a few miles up toward Ice Lake Basin where it eventually levels out. Ice Lake is located in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. Also, be aware that shortly after the campground the road becomes only 4WD accessible. Went first to Ice Lakes and then over to Island Lake on the loop trail. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. You will see 5 lakes if you follow the trail all the way, and there are several more lakes if you explore around the basin. It seems much to our sadness most of these people have no clue about Leave NO Trace. At 2.2 miles, the secondary trail to Island Lake takes off to the right at 11,460 feet. The Ice Lake Trail was hands-down the best day-hike we took in our two and a half weeks in Colorado. A fire sparked Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, near Ice Lake Basin. Photo courtesy Colorado Department of Transportation. Trail Description: The hike to Ice Lakes begins from the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. It delivered nonstop, stunning scenery perfectly integrated with a healthy amount of rigor. Dogs are also able to use this trail. And, as we quickly realized, our crew wasn’t at Ice Lake. Total Length 3¾mi; Elevation Range 550 to Mineral Creek Rd.,turn left and follow it to the Mineral Creek Campground, where the Trailhead is located. From the Ice Lakes basin Trailhead, this 8 mile round trip trail with 3000 feet of elevation gain will bring you to the Ice Lakes Basin with an abundance of beautiful lakes, especially Island Lake and Ice Lake. With amazing views along the way, this trail leads to … Don't ruin the silence with annoying drones just to take some photos and ruin it for everyone. From Silverton: To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff into Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north toward Ouray on Highway 550 and look for the turn off to South Mineral Campground which is Forest Road 585 (also called County Road 7 or South Mineral Road). pick up your trash. Following the Ice Fire in fall of 2020, the Ice Lakes Basin Trail was closed. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. Ice Lake (Oregon) Ice Lake, in the Ice Lake Basin of Silverton, Colorado; Ice Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in the list of lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington state; Other uses. The trail offers a number of activity options. Note: South Mineral road (FR585/County Road 7) is not plowed in winter, so if you plan on doing a winter trip, add 4.4 miles each way to your hike, snowshoe or ski. Trail Information: Trail descriptions, statistics, and more Like. Hardest part of the trail is the section between Ice Lake and Island Lake. Waterfalls, creeks, colors galore, and the most insanely colored lake you will ever seen! Some of the trees were giant, and I hope that they survive. The trickiest part to navigate for me was the rocky washout area between the two lakes. Learn More. If you have the time and energy to explore more of the upper basin area before returning to the trailhead, two popular side trips are to Island Lake and Fuller Lake. Ice Lake is breathtaking, take plenty of water and a few snacks to keep your energy up. Bring plenty of food and water! Ice Lake Basin Trail [CLOSED] is a 9.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Ophir, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Go north of Silverton on Hwy. The Ice Lake Basin Trail is a tough hike to stunning views, incredible wildflowers, and electric blue alpine lakes — it’s certainly worth the climb. … Great views of a waterfall, pine forests, alpine lakes, and lots of mountain peaks. We parked in a large grassy lot near the… If you walk down the drainage for a few hundred feet below Ice Lake you will Highly recommend! This road is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles, though there may be some potholes to avoid. probably the toughest but most beautiful and rewarding hike i’ve ever done. The trails climbs through 2 basins, each with its own ecosystem. my only complaint about this trail was the amount of off leash dogs that rushed up to mine and completely ignored their owners - i recognize that some parts of the trail are difficult to do with a dog that tugs on the lead, but please at least train a recall if you need to let them off, because not all dogs are friendly - i witnessed a fight break out between an off leash dog and a reactive leashed dog on this trail which was not fun to watch lol. We were amongst the last people down around sunset on Sunday and smelled smoke briefly near the trailhead but didn’t know where it was coming from. The trail starts at the South Mineral Campground, just a few miles down a good dirt road from U.S. Highway 550. The trail wastes no time gaining elevation, climbing 1,600-ft. in 2-miles through forests and wildflower-filled meadows to the beautiful Lower Ice Lakes basin. We did the loop counterclockwise, starting with Island Lake and loved galavanting through the lake basin - lakes, mountains, amazing views! And, as we quickly realized, our crew wasn’t at Ice Lake. From there it is a steady uphill climb to the Lower Ice Lake Basin and then to the Upper Ice Lake Basin. While there is little reprieve from the steady uphill nature of this hike, both the journey and destination make every step worthwhile. Lower your voice so everyone can enjoy the trail and not your conversation about your dog. The trek up to Ice Lake Basin is short, steep, but not technical. A seasoned explorer in … Weather. Hiking down to the lake there are a couple sketchy places along the ridge but not too bad. This section is fairly flat for the next two-thirds of a mile. Through a stunning array of alpine wildflowers, the Ice Lakes trail winds through old growth forest, sub alpine meadows, and up to … It is uphill all the way to the lake basin. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. The shades of blue in the lake change when the sun ducks behind the clouds; countless colors of greens and blues can be seen depending on the amount of light that is reflected. Like. I also strongly advise trekking poles! Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? At this point, the trail emerges from the cover of the forest and opens up to a mellow meadow section. Round Trip Distance: 7.3 miles to Ice Lake & 8.4 miles to Island Lake; Difficulty: Strenuous; Elevation Gain: 2,430 feet to Ice Lake & 2,550 to Island Lake; Peak Elevation: 12,265 at Ice Lake & 12,400 at Island Lake; Amount of Time Needed: 4 to 5.5 hours; Trailhead Coordinates: Ice Lake Basin Trailhead, Silverton, Colorado So sad. An old collapsed metal-sided mining cabin with an adjacent picnic table stands beside the lake. Quite busy but people very spread out. 13er's surround the lake - Fuller, Vermillion, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob. The trek up to Ice Lake Basin is short, steep, but not technical. Get Here. After 2 miles of climbing, the trail traverses through the Lower Basin. Trail on Ice Lake, Clear Creek, and South Fork Mineral Creek in San Juan National Forest. the last mile is definitely the toughest and i strongly recommend having appropriate footwear because it can be a bit hard to get a foothold even in boots, especially when going back down - i saw a lot of individuals in casual shoes slipping and sliding their way along the trail and some parts can be dangerously narrow. Places. The Ice Lake Trail takes hikers into one of the most spectacular areas of the San Juan Mountains after a steep but relatively short journey of 3 miles, gaining 2,600 feet. The nicest lake is Ice Lake, the first lake you see in the upper basin. The Ice Lakes Basin Trail is located near Silverton, Colorado, within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest. The first half is below timberline and passes through aspen and conifer vegetative zones. Not quite as vibrant. As you go all the way to the Upper Ice Lake it becomes rather treacherous just before the end because of how steep and rocky it is. In the Lower Basin, there is a shallow lake to the south of the trail. Amazing blue/green lakes, late season wildflowers, moderately strenuous hike to creek falls and waterfalls too. Ice Lake Basin Trail [CLOSED] is a 9.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Ophir, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. This is a rocky section with a drop off that could be challenging for some. I didn’t have any, and there were some spots that were roouuughhhh without them. Ice Lake Basin is Island Lake. i’m an east coaster and i’m glad i adjusted to the altitude beforehand because i think i would have had a very difficult time if i did not. trail is beautiful, but much of the foliage/grass is dead. The Ice Lakes Trail offers a lot of variety. The trail might be difficult, but that doesn’t seem to deter the thousands of hikers this trail sees every season. In heading left, we hiked our tired legs straight to Ice Lake, and completely missed Island Lake. The perpetual beauty that permeated the journey was bested only by the destination. Ice Lakes. Ice Lake has to be one of the most spectacular destinations for the hiker that wants an experience to remember. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. Physically difficult but well worth the work. Distance, Round Trip:                7 miles to Upper Basin, Elevation Gain:                          2420′, Start Elevation:                          9840′, Elevation at Lower Ice Lake:     11,510′ (2 miles from trailhead), Elevation at Ice Lake:                12,260′, Elevation at Island Lake:            12,392′, Elevation at Fuller Lake:            12, 605′ (largest and highest lake), Trail rating:                                 Most difficult, In mid-October 2020, Ice Fire ripped through the bottom portion of the Ice Lakes Trail, as well as areas east of the trail. , CO, a mecca of hiking but oh, so worth it more... And now 600 acres have burned a steady uphill nature of this area the shortness of breath i on. Get closer valley between the two Lakes little reprieve from the dirt parking lot the. Rugged 13,000+ peaks Phone: 800-COLORADO https: //www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/alerts-notices/? cid=fseprd719782 after Ice Lake trail... 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