Full-moon snowshoeing brings together all the elements of a backcountry day trip and multiplies them exponentially. The second lake is above treeline. When in doubt, turn left (or if it’s between the Sierras and somewhere else…always pick the Sierras). Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. The basic trip is between 2-3 miles on beginner terrain and heads out to a tepee where guides serve hot drinks and snacks. Mount Rainier National Park . Located at 10,600 feet, Echo Lake is a small, shallow natural lake formed when glacial fill dammed drainage in the area. Staggeringly steep mountains seem even larger when they’re backlit by the glow of a heavy moon. I love the solitude; the cold, high-mountain winter air and the reward of blazing new trail that I know others will follow. Rather than regret not bringing them, I strapped them to my pack just in case. Just as nighttime snowshoeing enhances the beauty of the backcountry, it also enhances the dangers. I am still not sure if this was a good idea, but it is what it is. Extra staff is usually available to take faster groups on longer routes, and the center is even willing to organize a custom tour. Mineral Spring Gulch. To keep water from freezing on longer trips, add powdered sports drink and store bottles upside down. I’m guessing that this is quite common for this area in the winter – the Chicago Lakes Basin acting as a tunnel for the winds coming off of Mt Evans. You can also head to the summit of Mount Evans from Chicago Lakes. There is nice dispersed camping at the lakes. Trail Snapshot: Chicago Lakes Hike Near Idaho Springs, Colorado Don’t get me wrong, I love the company of good friends on a backpacking trip or jaunting up a mountain, but I often love the freedom and flexibility of being (largely) in charge of my own fate even more. Crested Butte Sports, Emmons Loop, Crested Butte (970) 349-7516 This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs upward the remaining three miles. I couldn’t have jumped in my car any quicker to get out of it. Paradise Valley Snowshoe Loop 2.8 … The most recent is titled, “50 of the Best Snowshoe Trails Around Lake Tahoe,” and published by University of Nevada Press. The trail winds through the woods for a few hundred yards, passing two more boulders in the meadow on the right (The Willows Boulders). The main Chicago Lakes Trail continues to the right, passing a small stand of aspens. From here, the trail switchbacks steeply downhill to a stream crossing. If you decide to continue, remember the 400 feet of elevation gain on the return trip. Watch the weather and add a flashlight to your pack. In places, the Chicago Lakes trail follows a ledge where drop-offs are steep and, depending on snow conditions, footing can be awkward for beginners. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. All content and images © Erica Ruch 1993-Infinity | Site by, Merry Christmas Eve, friends. Closest community: Red Feather Lakes/Livermore | Get directions From Echo Lake Park lot, follow the well-marked signs towards Chicago Lakes. This section is the only downside to this trail: starting out with such a steep downhill means you end with a steep uphill. Length 4.9 miElevation gain 1948 ftRoute type Out & back www.maisondeski.com, Ouray Mountain Sports, 732 Main St., Ouray (970) 325-4284 The Chicago Lakes trail branches off at the southwest corner of the lake and is a good option for those seeking a longer trip. At about 1½ miles, this is a good nighttime turnaround point. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. Though it’s all uphill, it’s pretty tough to get lost on a wide road, and you don’t need to go far for sweeping views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.Just north of Ward off Colorado 119, the Red Rock Lake trailhead at Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a great starting point for full-moon snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  Sure enough, rounding up Squaw Pass, the wind raced with such force that my car wavered along the road. Leaving Echo Lake, Chicago Lakes Trail travels downhill for the first mile, here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. 10 Snowshoe Drive Snowshoe, WV 26209 ©2020 Snowshoe Mountain Resort Maybe that’s the golden rule. The hike to Chicago Lakes is a great hike near Denver, taking you to pretty mountain lakes and into the high country of Mt. That’s how I prefer to operate.  It’s how most of my best stories and adventures have begun. I’m famous for maneuvers like this. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. Afterward, warm up and relax with a dip in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, which stays open late especially for the event. Maybe I should have turned right afterall? Snowshoeing the Chicago Lakes Trail in the winter provides a greater sense of solitude. It wasn’t until I started snowshoeing that I felt I had really experienced a Colorado winter. The routes are clearly marked and well-traveled, so it’s easy to stay on trail. Enter your email address receive notifications of new posts by email: Your email address will not be published. Lots of people know it's where we get the water to make all that white fluffy stuff each winter. It is here that the both Chicago Lakes Trail and Lincoln Lakes Trail begin. Both snowshoers and Nordic skiers are welcome at the Snowmass Cross Country Center’s full-moon tour. Snowshoe Trail, Waterton Lakes National Park: Address, Snowshoe Trail Reviews: 4.5/5 Sure enough, I climbed a steep hill to a clearing with a beautiful view of Mt Spalding and the trail disappeared, the snow got very deep, and I started to get too cold to care much about fighting my way up to the lakes without the comfort of a trail. There’s no telling when things won’t go according to plan. I decided on the way home that I give up on Chicago Lakes Basin as a winter hike, and I’ll save it for the warmer, greener days of summer where the trail is obvious and the wind is surely not as fierce. This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs upward the remaining three miles. We’d heard the trail was socked in by snow, so it would have to wait for another day. My backpacking trip along the Tuolumne River in Yosemite was a classic example of this: I was in my car, backpacking gear in my backseat, sitting at the stoplight before the freeway onramp and I had to decide if I was going to head left and go backpacking in Yosemite, or right and head to Zion. Directions: The trail to the Chicago Lakes starts at the Echo Lake picnic area. The ranch doesn’t offer guided nighttime tours, but groomed trails of all levels are open for full-moon fun. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Get off on Highway […] Copyright 2020 goColorado. It's 4.5 miles to the upper lake from the trailhead. See chapter "26. The path here is narrowly cut into a steep cliff face, and as I expected, the snow was scarce, and I swapped out my snowshoes … Change of plans. Follow the trail through the meadow, across two make-shift bridges, then into the woods on the opposite side of the meadow. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Northerly Island. Burn area deadfall www.crystalskishop.com, Maison De Ski, 2804 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs (800) 228-8915 The trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). From the Editors: We spent a heap of time making sure this story was accurate when it was published, but of course, things can change. Close out the evening with a bonfire, marshmallows and hot chocolate. The trail rolls through some forest for a bit before opening up to a beautiful view of Mt Evans, Mt Spalding, and the Chicago Lakes basin. The trail is primarily used for hiking and snowshoeing. Perhaps I am just not meant to see Chicago Lakes in the winter (though, knowing winter in these mountains, they were probably buried under several feet of snow anyway). www.skiwp.com/skishop.html. Water will freeze faster, cloud cover can make the trail hard to follow and it’s likely that no one will be around in case of an accident. The overlook platform is half a mile round trip along a wheelchair friendly path. I had decided I would give the 9 mile hike to Chicago Lakes another try (I had attempted it last winter, but the weather had other plans), but if the wind was this fierce at the trailhead I’d be happier turning around. In places, the Chicago Lakes trail follows a ledge where drop-offs are steep and, depending on snow conditions, footing can be awkward for beginners. The first mile of the trail switchbacks down to a creek crossing. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The Ouray County Nordic Council and the City of Ouray host a full-moon cross-country ski and soak. Two very different places and directions. And, there aren’t a few people — there’s no one. Popular daytime destinations are a good nighttime option, as the trails are usually packed down and obvious. I trudged along where I remember the trail being, and as I headed across the Mt Evans Wilderness boundary the trail became a bit easier to find (though I was still largely going on memory). Explore the full trail profile below for the Chicago Lakes which includes driving directions, map, and tips. Summit Lake Park provides easy access to the popular Summit Lake and Chicago Lakes Overlook. Evan’s Wilderness. Distance: 6.5 miles Kalama River Trail: 8 miles, 500 feet net elevation gain. While the views from there are spectacular, Summit Lake itself is a wonderful example of the alpine environment. I walked across frozen Echo Lake towards the Chicago Lakes trailhead, and was surprised to find the snow deeper than I expected and needed to stop and put on my snowshoes. W: www.gocolorado.com. I can't say I have ever had to balance on downed trees wearing snowshoes, and it is quite the awkward experience. The snow pack was not looking very impressive in the area, after the warm, and relatively dry, weeks before. I had to be somewhat close to the lower lake, but the clouds were getting more serious-looking, so for the second time on this trail I decided to raise my white flag and head back. Really, this is a big reason when it comes to hiking and backpacking that I choose to venture out solo. ☀️ #whitetail, #tbt because this time of year, when everything is, If my life hadn’t become a series of unfortunate, The fire burned 100 acres a minute - and she outfo, The healing from the #easttroublesomefire just bar, Roadtrip to the JMT Part 1: The Trail Through Time. Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management has closed portions of the Lake Front Trail from Oak Street to Ohio Street. From Idaho Springs take W. Chicago Creek trail south to Echo Lake. Season of Use Chicago Basin is situated at 11,200′ elevation (timberline is 11,800′), and is snow-free from late June to mid September most years. Reflection Lakes and Inspiration Point: 7 miles, 670 feet net elevation gain. Chicago’s newest park is an excellent place to escape the noise of the city and … Located at the base of Mt. 280 Capitol Reef St, There are several great camping spots along the trail, in particular to the southwest of the first Chicago Lake. The lake marks the end of the trek, but we suggest taking a break to soak in the view before you turn around! Temperatures drop swiftly and steeply. In the distance, the Chicago Lakes Trail snaked up steep rocky terrain towards Summit Lake, which rests at 13,002 feet. Check open/close hours before exploring at night. Worth Noting: Snowshoeing this trail in the winter provides a greater sense of solitude than hiking it in the summer. Yet the sun beams gloriously many a cloudless day in midwinter, casting long lance shadows athwart the dazzling expanse.” www.crestedbuttesports.com, Crystal Ski Shop, 3216 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder (303) 449-7669 NotifyChicago: Due to high waves and icy conditions, the Lake Front Trail … Yes, the trails around Bear Lake are always fantastic, and the snowshoe trails to Dream and Emerald lakes are enjoyable and beautiful. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Lost Lake Trail: From its start near Eldora Mountain Resort, this 5.4-mile excursion winds through a tall evergreen forest to Lost Lake, where you can catch gorgeous views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.From the route’s winter start, head up the road about 1.3 miles to the Hessie Trailhead. The weather had been beautiful at our house at 8500’, but I know well that weather nearer to the Continental Divide and the high country is usually much different. WTA Pro Tip: At 1.75 miles, where the trail begins to switchback upwards, a spur trail offers a brief side trip up the valley to an overlook of Source Lake, the headwaters of the Snoqualmie River’s south fork. Groups split according to pace and experience, but the tours last about an hour. We were okay with that. I stopped for a bit and ate a ProBar and drank some water and then pushed up the mountainside. Some shops offer discounts for advance reservations. Glissading Down Snowbanks The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wonderfully private and scenic trail favored by backpackers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and skiers. Clear Creek County 365 snowshoeing webpage. Log bridge across Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir powdered sports drink and store upside! 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