Sign up for our eNews updates and be the first to know... SJMA was created in 1988 to assist the San Juan National Forest in providing education and interpretation of public lands in Southwest Colorado. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground. It can make anyone feel like a … The Ice Fire area closure includes the lower Ice Lakes Trail, the lower Clear Lake Road, and the South Mineral Road (NFSR 585) from a new gate just past Goldenhorn camping area to where it crosses Clear Creek past South Mineral Campground. Things to note: heaps of side trails, so easy to get lost. With amazing views along the way, this trail leads to … The trek up to Ice Lake Basin is short, steep, but not technical. Trail to the Ice Lake and along the lake From Ouray: Follow Highway 550 south from Ouray for about 20 miles to the turn off to South Mineral Campground. Ice Lakes. See the official news release and closure information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices/?aid=62986 The trails climbs through 2 basins, each with its own ecosystem. After gaining 1,600-ft. in 2 miles the trail crests the ridge into the beautiful Lower Ice Lake basin. We are in good shape and are fairly experienced hikers, so we chose to do the trail up to Ice Lake, then went over to Island Lake (a little sketchy in one part), and looped back around and down. Highly recommend! Ice Lake (microprocessor) At roughly 2.2 miles in and an elevation of 11,400 feet, you’ll reach Lower Ice Lake Basin. It is located at the very beginning of Lower Ice Lake Basin. The upper basin is surrounded by awesome peaks. Switchbacks, wildflowers, meadows, and more, read more about this absolutely essential trail and all it has to offer. upper lake is still beautiful, even as it's surroundings are brown and barren. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. 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. Upon reaching the lower basin great views open to Fuller, Vermillion Peak, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob rising above the … 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. Dec 21, 2013 - Beautiful Alpine basin in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, with three pretty lakes - Ice, Fuller and Island. 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. We will be hiking this trail in the near future once again. I didn’t have any, and there were some spots that were roouuughhhh without them. Ice Lakes Basin is known as one of the top alpine lake hiking destinations in all of Colorado, where hardy hikers are treated to waterfalls, wildflowers, open meadows, beautiful rock formations, alpine tundra and, of course, spectacular snow-fed lakes. 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. Get Here. Be very cautious when hiking the trail where it transitions from the lower basin to the upper basin and vice versa. Trail Attributes. 13er's surround the lake - Fuller, Vermillion, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob. I also strongly advise trekking poles! At roughly 2.2 miles in and an elevation of 11,400 feet, you’ll reach Lower Ice Lake Basin. please don't be that person. I took the trail counter clockwise towards Island lake and I'm pretty happy I did because I saw the lakes from least favorite to favorite. This trail was recommended to us and it did not disappoint. 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. I went clockwise, although either direction looks good. I had no issues with the drive. It is 3.5 miles to the Ice Lake, and 2,500 feet of elevation gain. A seasoned explorer in … The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. It seems much to our sadness most of these people have no clue about Leave NO Trace. The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W 107 46.428, The trail heads out NW from the parking lot. Amazing blue/green lakes, late season wildflowers, moderately strenuous hike to creekfalls and waterfalls too. Please use caution and travel at your own risk. Unburied feces everywhere. Loving nature means respecting it. Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot Knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. It was beautiful. Great (tough) day of hiking but oh, so worth it! 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. Follow the main trail the entire way, but look for a small cairn on the right upon reaching the basin—this unmaintained trail climbs to the magnificent Island Lake, and is a great option for runners looking to get off the beaten path. trail is beautiful, but much of the foliage/grass is dead. The nicest lake is Ice Lake, the first lake you see in the upper basin. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd719782. Forest: San Juan National Forest District: Columbine Ranger District Description: Ice Lakes Basin is at the headwaters of Mineral Creek outside of Silverton, Colorado. Ice Lake is breathtaking, take plenty of water and a few snacks to keep your energy up. Ice Lake Trail (505) Area Status: Open This trail is short and steep. It's very challenging but the views are 100% worth the hiking. pick up your trash. Note: South Mineral road (FR585/County Road 7) is not plowed in winter, so if you plan on doing a winter trip, add 4.4 miles each way to your hike, snowshoe or ski. This section is fairly flat for the next two-thirds of a mile. I've never experienced the shortness of breath I did on today's hike. 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. It was challenging. Trail Attributes. Best to download the map and follow it at splits. 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. On recommendation, we went up to Island first and then to Ice Lake. Ice Lakes trail has two common destinations, lower and upper. Some tricky scrambling on a cliff edge just after Ice Lake - but do it slowly, it will be fine. Ice Lake Trail . Vermillion, Fuller, Pilot knob and Golden Horn are climbed from this basin. An old collapsed metal-sided mining cabin with an adjacent picnic table stands beside the lake. Great views of a waterfall, pine forests, alpine lakes, and lots of mountain peaks. The trail offers a number of activity options. We parked in a large grassy lot near the… Amazing blue/green lakes, late season wildflowers, moderately strenuous hike to creekfalls and waterfalls too. 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. The trail to Ice Lakes basin traverses through pine forest and treks through lush meadows filled with Columbine flowers and stalks of corn lilies. We were amongst the last people down around sunset on Sunday and smelled smoke briefly near the trailhead but didn’t know where it was coming from. You should see a faint trail angling up the slope near the bottom of an old mine tailing. 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). 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 lake is a deep blue color and has beautiful mountain peaks all around it. Ice Lakes Basin is known as one of the top alpine lake hiking destinations in all of Colorado, where hardy hikers are treated to waterfalls, wildflowers, open meadows, beautiful rock formations, alpine tundra and, of course, spectacular snow-fed lakes. Five years ago, Botsford said, a busy day on the Ice Lakes trail might see 250 hikers. Weather. 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