The trail to Ice Lakes basin traverses through pine forest and treks through lush meadows filled with Columbine flowers and stalks of corn lilies. 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. Just shy of 9 miles in exactly 5 hours and it was stunning! Don't ruin the silence with annoying drones just to take some photos and ruin it for everyone. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot Knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. Rewarding hike, moving counterclockwise on the loop to hit Island Lake prior to Ice Lake. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. Quite busy but people very spread out. Trail Description: The hike to Ice Lakes begins from the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. 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. Expect a lot of stops and rests. This hike is as gorgeous as everyone says. From late July through August, the wildflowers are spectacular, with sub-alpine species in the Lower Basin and alpine species in the upper basin. The Ice Lake Trail was hands-down the best day-hike we took in our two and a half weeks in Colorado. A permit system is being considered by recreation managers but it is not underway. A permit system is now in place which you'll need to obtain from the Columbine Ranger District in order to hike this trail. Ice Lake is breathtaking, take plenty of water and a few snacks to keep your energy up. this is kind of an in-between time, not quite green, not quite snow. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground. trail is beautiful, but much of the foliage/grass is dead. Pictured is the south-facing slope the trail climbs. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd719782. 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. SJMA has a participating agreement with the San Juan National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office to develop educational programs, publications and volunteer projects, as well as provide interpretive services. While there is little reprieve from the steady uphill nature of this hike, both the journey and destination make every step worthwhile. The perpetual beauty that permeated the journey was bested only by the destination. 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. The trail might be difficult, but that doesn’t seem to deter the thousands of hikers this trail sees every season. At this point, the trail emerges from the cover of the forest and opens up to a mellow meadow section. 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. Most important learn how to poop and pee in the woods. An air attack and type-2 helicopter were on site as of 3:10 p.m. The Lower Ice Lake Basin. 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. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. If you walk down the drainage for a few hundred feet below Ice Lake you will 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. The trail to Ice Lakes basin traverses through pine forest and treks through lush meadows filled with Columbine flowers and stalks of corn lilies. Best to download the map and follow it at splits. And, as we quickly realized, our crew wasn’t at Ice Lake. Gorgeous mountains, valley views, and of course the lakes. pick up your trash. Length 8.2 miElevation gain 2798 ftRoute type Out & back On the way up to the first basin you will pass a Clear Creek waterfall on the right and an old mill off to the left. 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. The trail might be difficult, but that doesn’t seem to deter the thousands of hikers this trail sees every season. 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. Highly recommend! 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 … upper lake is still beautiful, even as it's surroundings are brown and barren. Just be sure to park in the South Mineral parking lot, they have a sign explaining the trail. Also, be aware that shortly after the campground the road becomes only 4WD accessible. I think they are all amazing, but the lack of crowds at Fuller lake compared to Ice lake pushed it to the top for me. Trail on Ice Lake, Clear Creek, and South Fork Mineral Creek in San Juan National Forest. 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. A seasoned explorer in … This section is fairly flat for the next two-thirds of a mile. This is, by far, the BEST hike I’ve ever done. Amazing blue/green lakes, late season wildflowers, moderately strenuous hike to creekfalls and waterfalls too. The trail is a dusty uphill climb for most of the way. Amazing blue/green lakes, late season wildflowers, moderately strenuous hike to creek falls and waterfalls too. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and backpacking and is best used from April until September. The Ice Lake Basin Trail is NOT under a permit system. The trail starts at the South Mineral Campground, just a few miles down a good dirt road from U.S. Highway 550. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The trail is one of the most popular hikes in southwester Colorado. 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 trek up to Ice Lake Basin is short, steep, but not technical. After gaining 1,600-ft. in 2 miles the trail crests the ridge into the beautiful Lower Ice Lake basin. probably the toughest but most beautiful and rewarding hike i’ve ever done. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. Get Here. The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W 107 46.428, The trail heads out NW from the parking lot. 13er's surround the lake - Fuller, Vermillion, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob. Some of the trees were giant, and I hope that they survive. The views along the hike are amazing. 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. Dogs are also able to use this trail. It is closed temporarily due to fire-related hazards. Unburied feces everywhere. Ice Lake Trail . The trail now climbs steep switchbacks up a headwall to the Lower Ice Lake basin. 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. The Ice Lake Trail was hands-down the best day-hike we took in our two and a half weeks in Colorado. There are also some cool ruins there that are a bit of an eyesore, but its cool. So sad. 550 to Mineral Creek Rd.,turn left and follow it to the Mineral Creek Campground, where the Trailhead is located. 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. This trail is excellent and a beautiful place to hike. The trail: The trail switchbacks for a few miles up toward Ice Lake Basin where it eventually levels out. We did not go to Fuller - next time! At 2.2 miles, the secondary trail to Island Lake takes off to the right at 11,460 feet. Trail Attributes. A seasoned explorer in … Ice Lake is located in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. A fire sparked Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, near Ice Lake Basin. Like. The trail starts below treeline near the South Mineral Campground at an elevation of ~9,800 feet. It seems much to our sadness most of these people have no clue about Leave NO Trace. please don't be that person. Go north of Silverton on Hwy. It leads you through old-growth forest to subalpine meadows, to alpine tundra and views of mountain lakes and rugged 13,000+ peaks. We started our hike at 7:30/7:45 on a weekday morning and there were only a few other cars there. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. Ice Lake is a must! Absolutely gorgeous, crystal blue & clear. Phenomenal trail. Through a stunning array of alpine wildflowers, the Ice Lakes trail winds through old growth forest, sub alpine meadows, and up to … The lower lake comes into view at the two-mile mark. 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). 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. 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 reviews were stellar, the photos spectacular, it was the perfect length at about 8.5 miles, and according to Google Maps, … Follow the trail from Upper Ice Lakes Basin over a rise and across a plateau. Ice Lakes trail has two common destinations, lower and upper. This juncture is intermittently marked with a cairn and is easy to miss. We didn’t have any hiking poles but after today we are definitely going to get some. Ice Lake Basin Trail Details. 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. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Trail Information: Trail descriptions, statistics, and more Great hike overall. The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W … The large waterfall is from Fueller Lake. 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. 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) Following the Ice Fire in fall of 2020, the Ice Lakes Basin Trail was closed. I, personally, wouldn’t take them to Island. It is uphill all the way to the lake basin. Amazing blue/green lakes, late season wildflowers, moderately strenuous hike to creekfalls and waterfalls too. I also strongly advise trekking poles! Enjoy! One of my favorite hikes ever! Very challenging. In heading left, we hiked our tired legs straight to Ice Lake, and completely missed Island Lake. 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. The over the past few months we have witnessed up to 200 cars in the lot and lined up along the road. It was challenging. Not quite as vibrant. 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 This road is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles, though there may be some potholes to avoid. Fewer people hike to Fuller Lake, making this a great place to escape the crowds in the basin. Five years ago, Botsford said, a busy day on the Ice Lakes trail might see 250 hikers. 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. Use the wag bags available at the trail head or buy some prior to visiting and pack your toilet paper and waste out. 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. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. I had no issues with the drive. 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. 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. 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. Photo courtesy Colorado Department of Transportation. It delivered nonstop, stunning scenery perfectly integrated with a healthy amount of rigor. This lake with a unique island, is in its own cirque surrounded by U.S. Grant Peak and its ridges. 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. Overall good hike. 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. Hiking down to the lake there are a couple sketchy places along the ridge but not too bad. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot Knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. Ice Lake has to be one of the most spectacular destinations for the hiker that wants an experience to remember. Waterfalls, creeks, colors galore, and the most insanely colored lake you will ever seen! Lower Ice Lake is slightly below timberline, at the base of a towering ridgeline. Ice Lakes trail has two common destinations, lower and upper. 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