Bridal Veil Falls Trail to Blue Lake, CO

Overview: Not to be confused with the popular hike to "Blue Lakes" out of Yankee Boy Basin in the Ouray, CO area, this "Blue Lake" hike also in the Uncompahgre National Forest heads in on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail out of Telluride, Colorado.

Hike: This Blue Lake Trail offers an opportunity to first view Colorado's highest free-falling water fall (Bridal Veil Falls at 365ft) from bottom to top and then offers some great hiking along the upper ~3 mile section of closed to vehicle traffic CR636 hiking close to roaring, perennial Bridal Veil Creek; Prime season wildflower viewing along this hiking route is just one additional highlight; Also along this hiking route and prior-to arriving at Blue Lake are numerous historic gold and silver mining cabins and mine areas. At the lake, an old miners cabin is situated below the steep pinnacled ridge to the east where a main mine shaft was located.

Blue Lake itself is private property and is the domestic water supply for the Upper San Miguel Valley.

Additional Hike Option: Depending on time constrains one may have enough time to hike further in on CR636 to the historic and large "Lewis Mines Complex" located in the Bridal Veil Basin at ~12,462ft elevation. Hiking back from Blue Lake to the "Y" intersection under the pyramid shaped peak at the intersection with CR636, turn left-south onto CR636 and continue to this Bridal Veil Basin area and the Lewis Mines Complex. Probably best to review the topo maps to assure your location understanding and timing needs before attempting this additional adventure.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2011-08-25 Grasshopper