Blue Lakes Trail

Experience the peace and serenity of hiking in the San Juan Mountains, the Telluride Valley Floor, and some hikes that will keep you closer to town. Make sure to add Blue Lakes Trail to your hiking itinerary. Make sure to bring plenty of water, trail snacks, and other essentials for an outdoor adventure. You can even bring your pup for some exercise.

Pack Up and Head Out

You’ll need to drive a bit to get there, as the trailhead is located off Colorado Highway 62 between Ridgway and Telluride. Take Dallas Creek Road (CR 7/FR 851) nine miles south to the trailhead. It’s advised to have a 4×4 vehicle, as the dirt road has many ruts and gravel to negotiate. The trail begins just past the gate at the end of the road. Just from the road, you’ll see breathtaking panoramic views of Mt. Sneffels and the Dallas Creek drainage area.

The Trail

The moderate to hard hike is what you make of it and can be anywhere from 7-11 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1,600-3,650 feet. The Blue Lakes hike stops when you want it to – at the first lake or the third. Reach Lower Blue Lake first, about three miles after you start. Pine and aspen forests, waterfalls, and more await. The perfect turquoise color comes from buoyant particles of sediment called rock flour, which distorts light and reflects back the blue-green shade. Middle Blue Lake is your next stop, only a short distance and elevation gain away. At the junction to the lower and upper lakes, you’ll bear left and cross a small creek and head northeast up the slope to arrive and get a view of the lower lake from above as well. About a quarter mile ahead you’ll arrive at Upper Blue Lake, where the water is clear as glass! For the truly adventurous, continue on to Blue Lakes Pass through strenuous switchbacks, rocky paths, and more difficult terrain. Look back to see the entire Blue Lake Trail below!

Activities

The trail itself is for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Once you get to a lake, you can rest on its shores, enjoy a picnic, or take a dip. There are areas where dogs can be off-leash for some extra exercise, too!

A Trail to Fun

Enjoy an adventure along Blue Lakes Trail, as well as other outdoor activities to make your trip to Telluride full of outdoor fun. As you plan your hike, don’t forget to book a vacation rental with Lodging In Telluride. We offer studio-style units all the way up to six-bedroom homes for larger groups wandering together. Fuel up with a home-cooked meal in the fully equipped kitchen or stretch out and relax after the hike in a private bedroom.