Blue Lakes Trail #201, CO

The Blue Lakes are located in an extremely scenic glacial basin within the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness area of the Uncompahgre National Forest. The drive to the trailhead along CR#7 is quite spectacular, and offers outstanding panoramic views of the Sneffels Range and the Dallas Creek drainage area. Fall offers outstanding colours when the aspen groves turn to yellow and gold.


The trail begins just past the locked gate at the dead end of CR#7. Just beyond the gate you'll pass the Blaine Basin Trail junction, which branches off towards the east. Hikers should continue on the Blue Lakes Trail, which heads in a southwesterly direction while following along the East Fork of Dallas Creek.From here the trail steadily climbs up the valley between Mt. Sneffels and Wolcott Mountain. At roughly 1.5 miles from the TH the path crosses a small stream, and then begins heading towards the southeast as it makes its final climb up to Blue Lakes.

Approximately 3.5 miles from the TH you will arrive at the Lower Blue Lake. From the western shore you'll have a commanding view of Mt. Sneffels towering above the lake. Mt. Sneffels comes in at 27th on the list of 53 fourteeners in Colorado at 14,150 feet. There are several campsites near and around this lake. Many people will use this area as a base camp for their climb to the summit of Mt. Sneffels.

From the lower lake the trail begins to climb again about 1/2 mile to reach the middle lake at 11,500 feet. The Upper Blue Lake is about 1/4 mile away.

From here the Blue Lakes Trail continues up to Blue Lakes Pass and Yankee Boy Basin TH. A shuttle hike is possible.

2013-06-22 Randal_Schulhauser