Blue Lakes Trail

Your adventure begins at the Blue Lakes Trailhead, elevation 9400’, in Uncompahgre National Forest. Take CO-62 from Ridgway toward Telluride, turn left onto Ouray County Road 7, and follow it into the national forest to the end of the road. Just past the trailhead, the trail splits; be sure to take the right fork toward Blue Lakes. (The left fork goes to Blaine Basin.) The trail climbs steadily into the Mount Sneffels Wilderness and brings you to Lower Blue Lake, elevation 10,980’, after ~3.3 miles. In mid-summer, you might see some wildflowers along the way, but be patient; the best is yet to come. Just before you reach the lake, you should see a sign on your left indicating the continuation of the trail to the left; Lower Blue Lake itself is to the right at this junction. Arguably, the best camping can be found along this lake, as it is the only one of the three below tree-line; there are lots of good campsites on the near side of the lake.

To reach the middle and upper lakes, go back a few steps to the junction and head right across the outlet of Lower Blue Lake and up a steep slope that climbs 500’ in about half a mile to Middle Blue Lake, 11,500’. As you climb, you’ll notice the deep blue color of the lower lake. You’ll pass tree-line on the way to Middle Blue Lake; be aware that there is no more shelter to be had from this point on in case of thunderstorms, which roll up frequently and quickly in late July and August. From the middle lake, it’s just another quarter mile or so to Upper Blue Lake, 11,700’. During peak wildflower season, the banks of all three lakes are covered in wildflowers; you’ll find lots of columbine and paintbrush near the middle and upper lakes. At Upper Blue Lake, the trail continues another 1.5 mi and up 1300’ to Blue Lakes Pass at about 13,000’; from the pass, you can reach the summit of Mount Sneffels via the southwest ridge or by descending the other side of the pass and joining the standard route up Lavender Col.

It’s worth repeating that in mid-summer, you should pay close attention to the weather, especially if you intend to set up a base camp for a climb of Mount Sneffels; thunderstorms in this basin can be violent and deadly. With proper caution and some common sense, though, this is one of the most memorable landscapes in a state full of mountain splendor. Happy adventuring!