Blue Lake
Cappie’s Scoop: Wow, all I can say is wow! I told mom we need to move here so I can hike this trail all the time. There are waterfalls and an alpine lake to jump in! After I hiked for a bit up this trail, I didn’t see a lot of hoomans or dogs. There was also a lot of space for me to zoom and mom didn’t have to worry about being close to the edge of a mountain or anything. I told mom we should bring our tent next time and stay a while! If you want a longer hike, you can keep hiking past Blue Lake to Lewis Lake and Mine. Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!
Tips: This is one of the most spectacular trails we’ve hiked so far! The trail up to the lake is busting with wildflowers in July, waterfalls and mountain views! The lake sits at 12,220 ft.
Directions: From the town of Telluride, head east on Colorado Avenue leaving the town behind you for about 2 miles. Colorado Avenue becomes Forest Service Rd 648 and ends at a parking lot. Parking for this hike fills up fast so be sure to go early or on a weekday. Some brave vehicles may even drive up the fire road as far as the power station where the trail continues past the waterfall behind a gate. Watch out for cars if your dog is with you.
| Mileage (round trip) | 10.5 |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Gain (in feet) | 3211 |
| Trailhead | 37.928665, -107.776533 |
| Hike Time (in hours) | 6-8 |
| Exposure | Mostly Sunny |
| Scenery | Mountain Views, Alpine Lake Views, Trees, Waterfalls, Wildflowers |
| Facilities | Port-a-potty at trailhead. |
| Fees/Permits | None |
| More Info | https://www.telluride.com/play/activities/blue-lake (note the start in this write-up is only from Bridal Veil Falls and our post details are round trip from the parking lot) |
| Last Hiked | 7/5/2020 |
