This. The trail starts at the top of lift 12, and climbs more than 1300 vertical feet to the summit of Palmyra Peak. The Observatory is a private and most certainly unique backcountry cabin located 13 miles from Telluride, Colorado. Book early as the lodge fills up quickly. Instead, place your order for skis, snowboards, boots and helmets before you arrive and a technician will find a time that’s convenient for you and does a custom fitting in your hotel room, condo or vacation home. Aspen Area Lake Hikes Capitol Lake. Beginning on the north side of Country Club Drive in Mountain Village and to the... Coonskin Loop Trail 1.3 mile loop. Should have brought some type of table. The access road to the area is narrow and rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Tomboy Road, Town of Tomboy & Imogene Pass. Intermediate Trails Prospect Trail to Alta Lakes 2 miles. Take the left-hand turn, and stay on the main road for 4 miles to reach the ghost town of Alta. We need your consent to use marketing cookies. The Alta Lakes area is managed by the USFS. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Alta Ghost Town OHV Trail is a 10 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Telluride, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Biggest complaint. Our suburban handled it just fine. Wildflowers, alpine meadows, small waterfalls, and cascades all beckon those who have the stamina to explore these heights in the Front Range near Denver. Biking. Camping is allowed only … Leadville You can provide consent by clicking the "I Consent" button or by canceling this cookie notice. Turn left and follow the main dirt road for about four miles until you reach a old mining ghost town. No one knows how this vintage booth ended up at the edge of an alpine lake, but its a magical addition to the gorgeous landscape. It wasn't far but it took forever to get to. Tabs. In summer, the top of the Prospect Express lift can be reached from the north, by following any path up the ski runs starting at the ski village at an elevation of 9500 ft (plus/minus a few hundred feet depending on where you start), or from the south via the 11200 ft Alta Lakes. I was hesitant turning off the main road and going up the small winding rocky road (almost 1 lane) to get to Alta Lakes. Please select the checkbox below to indicate your consent. DIFFICULT 19.5 mi. Alta Lakes is a lake inside of Uncompahgre National Forest. 888.605.2578. Contact Central Reservations: like relay games). High-clearance vehicles recommended. Alta Lakes Road is 6 miles south of Telluride on Hwy. 3. It is one of only a few homes in the United States at 11,000+ feet. Video and descriptions of some of the best Alpine Lakes in Colorado.Be sure to Subscribe as I have many more best of videos on the way. From Prospect Trail or Basin Trail, this trail follows a historic U.S. Forest... Boomerang Trail to Valley Floor 1 mile. Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) via 632 Road . 145. It wasn't the peaceful experience I hoped for but was still really beautiful. Nearby Towns: Telluride Nestled high above Telluride, this trio of iridescent high-alpine gems is cradled by snow-speckled 13,000-foot San Juan Mountain peaks. Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience. Turn east on Forest Road #632 (Alta Road) and climb about 4.3 miles, pass the Alta townsite. The easiest is the 5-mile road to Alta Lakes and Alta Ghost town. The trail is primarily used for ohv/off road driving and is best used from May until October. I was hesitant turning off the main road and going up the small winding rocky road (almost 1 lane) to get to Alta Lakes. The Observatory is nestled underneath the 13,000-foot Palmyra and Silver Peaks of the San Juan Mountains and is adjacent to the Telluride ski area. Colorado › Uncompahgre National Forest › Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) via 632 Road. Once you get up here, the primitive dispersed camping in a sweeping alpine setting, fishing, and hiking are real, real worth it. Devils Thumb Lake is located in Indian Peaks Wilderness north of Boulder Colorado and can be accessed via a 6.5-mile (one-way) steep and challenging hike. Free backcountry camping is available near the lakes, and the nearby Alta mining ghost town is also worth exploring. Alta Lakes. my family had with the campground was the mosquitoes. United States › Colorado ... Overview. Cushman Lake via State Highway 145 and Ophir Pass 4WD Trail. This package is for beginner level skiers. Fort Morgan Nature Trails. Campground was mostly full for mid-week but had decent privacy. A lot of the camping around Alta Lakes has been taken away. The 2nd parking lot with restroom is another 100 yards away. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Telluride. Get the inside scoop from one of our reservation specialists. Hiking. 2. Alta Lakes Trail . Alta Lakes is a lake inside of Uncompahgre National Forest. In fact, there are over ten miles of trails in the immediate Alta area, including some of the most scenic of all the Utah hiking … I am sure many people have turned around not going to Alta Lakes because of this road. This time we went in Fall and loved the colors. We didn't see much traffic on the road, thankfully, but there were still plenty of people at the lake (some shrieking/screaming as they played what seemed. To get to the trailhead, drive up Clear Lake Road and park at the first switchback. Would have made cooking more convenient. 145. Motorcycle Riding. Please choose a different date. based on 13 tracks & routes | | EASY #150 hike out of 158 in Uncompahgre National Forest | EASY. Beautiful scenery. ATV Riding. One of Colorado's Most Gorgeous Hikes. Road wasn’t awful. The white cap mountains surrounding the lake were beautiful. From the highway, the dirt road leads to the first parking lot 100 yards away. share Share . Trailers and RV's are … Dogs are also able to use this trail. Any Activity. The scenic lakes are a popular mid summer destination for camping, fishing and hiking. Downtown Leadville. Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience. 4. Don't waste another minute waiting in line at the rental shops. If you are a more experience skier or if you simply want to be on the highest quality gear, please select the Premium Ski Package. For more information call 970-728-4645. That meant we had to use the brakes almost non-stop of which the brakes were … About the ... Colorado Trail Explorer. Fishing, Nature/Hiking Trails. Hanging Lake… COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. We'll come back here again the next time we're in Telluride. The Alta Lakes are located in the Uncompahgre National Forest near Telluride, Colorado. Middle Alta Lake … was first week of June, but it was windy and cold so we didn't last long - less than 30 minutes. The historic ski town of Alta, Utah, offers fantastic hiking opportunities for summertime visitors in a rugged mountain setting rich with wildflowers, alpine lakes, and classic Wasatch views. Travel approximately 5 miles south of Telluride, CO on State Highway 145. A few miles before you reach the turnoff for Ophir, there's a brown forest service sign for Alta Lakes on your right, and a dirt road immediately after to your left. Mountain bikers will find plenty of trails and 4WD roads of varying lengths and difficulties. My family of 5 went to Alta Lakes to fish with the free fishing rod rentals from our hotel (Fairmont Telluride). Alta Lakes in Colorado is home to a lone telephone booth planted neatly alongside the water. Hope Lake is one of the best destinations for a quiet day hike in Colorado. Alta Lakes Road is 6 miles south of Telluride on Hwy. Hike: One of these … Despite being completely landlocked, Colorado has quite a few options when it … The hike begins from the first switchback and almost immediately brings you to a waterfall crossing. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. After two nights and days of being saturated in bug repellent we “bugged” out. The intention is to display ads (via third party services) that are relevant and engaging for individual users. Snowmobiling. Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity. Besides basking in the remote beauty of these perfect mountain lakes, the Alta Lakes area is great for mountain and dirt biking, fishing, hiking, and camping. Capitol Peak is widely considered Colorado’s most difficult 14er (peak over 14,000 ft. or 4267 m), but you... Snowmass Lake. Snowshoeing. Hotels near (MTJ) Montrose County Airport, Hotels near (TEX) Telluride Regional Airport, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Telluride, Telluride Mountain Village Gondola: Tickets & Tours‎, Telluride Historical Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Sneffels Highline Trail: Tickets & Tours‎. Additionally, Boomerang Trail can be accessed from either Prospect Trail or Basin Trail, follows a Forest Service road approximately two miles to scenic Alta Lakes and the historic mining town of Alta. To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our privacy policy. Travel over the off-road driving trail (either on foot or by 4×4) and reach the Alta Ghost Town. Once we reached the Lakes it was an incredible sight and just breathtaking. That sure applies to Alta Lakes Campground, which is accessed only via rugged road that requires high clearance and all wheel drive. Food, Lodging and Services We took this road in our mid-size truck and our truck tried to run away from us on the way down, even in 1st gear. Please help us keep everyone safe by practicing the Five Commitments of Containment. The marmot town in Alta ghost town was quiet as they were winterizing. Take the left-hand turn, and stay on the main road for 4 miles to reach the ghost town of Alta. That’s right, a hiking trail that features a lake and an abandoned mining town! OHV Riding (>50”) Nordic Skiing. Always a great time! We tent camp a couple times a year and have never experienced mosquitoes like we did at Alta. 25 minutes from main highway to campground. Room Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, Coffeemaker, Kitchen Facilities, Microwave, Refrigerator, Washer/Dryer. The waterfall is typically flowing fairly strong, but the crossing is safe on a log bridge. High-clearance vehicles recommended. On those ridiculously hot days of summer, grab a cooler and some beach towels for a lake day. Alta Lakes whip up an alpine lake hike with a twist. Additionally, Boomerang Trail can be accessed from either Prospect Trail or Basin Trail, follows a Forest Service road approximately two … This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. To get to the Roy Boy Couloir, drop right off the summit down the face, and stay hard skier's right. Observatory at Alta Lakes. There are 20 designated campsites that are completely undeveloped. It’s a challenge to reach this lake at the foot of Snowmass Mountain (a Colorado 14er). Horseback Riding. It wasn't far but it took forever to get to. Description You know that saying, "If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth it."? It’s a mostly… To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our privacy policy. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes. Wher e: Riverside Park, 1600 Main St., Fort Morgan. The area is also home to the Alta Lakes Observatory, a year-round lodge that sleeps up to six people. It had been raining so the road had a lot of pot holes. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes. They showed up in gangs with a vengeance. Alta Lakes is a popular dispersed camping area that offers fishing and camping in a spectacular alpine setting. Hiking Trails (3) 1. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We forgot our jackets. This hiking trail starts beside San Miguel River and you can pick up on the trail from anywhere in town. I am sure many people have turned around not going to Alta Lakes because of this road. We headed up the trail in our truck around 7:00 p.m. on a Sunday evening to enjoy some takeout and the sunset at the lakes. Just five miles from downtown Telluride and accessible by high-clearance 4x4 vehicles, Alta Lakes is a sonnet-worthy area of crystal-clear alpine lakes, studded on all sides by snow-capped peaks. Be sure to check at the visitor center regarding road conditions and the skill level required to navigate the roads. It had been raining so, the road had a lot of pot holes. link Copy Link. The three lakes that make up the group can be found above the mining ghost town of Alta, Colorado at an elevation that is over 11,000 feet above sea level. The road to Alta Lakes is not bad, although steep on the way out for a non 4x4 vehicle. 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