The Rocky Mountains stretch over 3,000 miles from Northwest Canada down to New Mexico. The Rockies are comprised of at least 100 individual ranges with the tallest peaks concentrated in Colorado. Glacial valleys throughout Colorado are studded with hundreds of alpine lakes, many of which are close to major population centers and accessible by maintained trails. Click here for detailed hiking trail information in Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Frisco and Clear Creek County.

The Mohawk Lakes are a collection of 7 alpine lakes and tarns in the Ten Mile Range, just south of Breckenridge CO

Lost Lake (11,612') is located 4.95 miles north of Copper Mountain Ski Resort along the Gore Range Trail

Willow Lake (11,795') is an arduous 6.2 mile hike from Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness

The Willow Lakes are a cluster of 4 lakes at and above treeline in the Eagles Nest Wilderness near Silverthorne CO

Upper Tuhare Lake (12,365') fills a massive cirque carved from the Holy Cross Ridge in the Holy Cross Wilderness

Snowmass Lake (10,980') is one of many highlights on the venerable 4 Pass Loop near Aspen CO

Deluge Lake (11,746') is a challenging hike from Vail Valley in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

The Wheeler Lakes fill shallow depressions in broad alpine valleys north of Copper Mountain in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

Cathedral Lake (11,866') fills a large bowl ringed by Malamute Peak (13,348'), Cathedral Peak (13,943') and Leahy Peak (13,322') in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

Boulder Lake is located 2.85 miles from Rock Creek Trailhead in the Eagles Nest Wilderness near Silverthorne, CO

Gore Lake (11,414') is a demanding 6.1 mile hike from Vail Valley in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

Lost Man Lake (12,482') forms the headwaters of Lost Man Creek, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River in the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness

The Missouri Lakes are a cluster of 4-5 postcard-caliber lakes in the Holy Cross Wilderness south of Minturn CO

The Square Top Lakes lie in open tundra west of Guanella Pass along the South Park Trail below Square Top Mountain (13,794')

Independence Lake (12,487') is a moderate 1.8 mile hike north of Highway 82 in the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness

Crater Lake (10,076') is framed by the iconic Maroon Bells near Aspen, CO

Treasure Vault Lake (11,675') is a short detour off the Missouri Pass - Fancy Pass Loop in the Holy Cross Wilderness

Hikers enjoy a great view down Chicago Lakes valley on the hike to Mt Evans from Summit Lake

Upper Blue Lake (11,915') is located midway up McCullough Gulch in the Ten Mile Range south of Breckenridge

This is one of several unnamed lakes in upper McCullough Gulch on the north side of Quandary Peak in the Ten Mile Range

Salmon Lake (11,192') fills a rocky bowl off the Gore Range Trail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

Lincoln Lake (11,624') in the Mt Evans Wilderness Area is distinguished by large stands of ancient bristlecone pines around its shore

Pitkin Lake (11,362') is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area

View of Lower Chicago Lake (11,545') in the Mt Evans Wilderness, one of the area's most popular destinations

The Crystal Lakes are located just south of Breckenridge at the head of a broad glacial valley in the Ten Mile Range

Layers of travertine ring the edge of Hanging Lake and give the water its unique turquois color

Hanging Lake is fed by a fan of scenic waterfalls along Deadhorse Creek

This is one of several unnamed alpine lakes between Eccles Pass and Red Buffalo Pass on the thru-hike from Frisco to Vail

Summit Lake (12,830') is located right along the Mt Evans Scenic Byway - double bonus: the fishing here is reportedly terrific!

Herman Lake (11,987') is a moderate day hike with easy access from I-70, just east of the Eisenhower Tunnel

Aerial view of Lower Cataract Lake on the way to Eaglesmere Lake in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

Hell's Hole (11,564') occupies a wide, marshy basin ringed by ancient bristlecone pine in the Mt Evans Wilderness

American Lake (11,365') is located 3.1 miles from Castle Creek Road in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness south of Aspen

Lower Turquoise Lake (11,095') is a long but moderate hike from Beaver Creek Ski Resort in the Holy Cross Wilderness

View of Ethel Lake from Mt Flora (13,132') along the Continental Divide Trail near Winter Park, CO

Lonesome Lake (11,571') is located 5.2 miles from Homestake Reservoir in the Holy Cross Wilderness - and arguably one of the area's best kept secrets!

Silver Dollar Lake (11,235') is a short hike from Guanella Pass, 9.9 miles south of Georgetown CO

Abyss Lake (12,650') fills a deep glacial cirque between Mt Bierstadt (14,060') and Mt Evans (14,265')

Booth Lake (11,434') is located 4.35 miles above Vail Valley in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area

Echo Lake (10,707') is located just off the Mt Evans Scenic Byway 13.5 miles south of Idaho Springs

Eaglesmere Lake (10,397') is comprised of two small lakes separated by an isthmus in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

Upper Missouri Lake (11,502') is the largest lake in the Missouri Lakes cluster

Fancy Lake (11,540') is located 2.7 miles from Homestake Road in the Holy Cross Wilderness, .6 miles and 830' below Fancy Pass

Upper Cataract Lake (10,744') is 5.45 miles from Surprise Trailhead in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

Lake Constantine (11,371') is located 3.95 miles from Tigiwon Road in the Holy Cross Wilderness

Grouse Lake (10,728') is a moderate day hike near Minturn CO