Didnt love the dirt road for 1.5 miles. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. Plus there were lots of aspens changing right before you got to the trailhead. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. It continues to the Mount Evans Wilderness Area Boundary (2.05 miles : 10,652'), where it moderates on a rocky path up the valley's west side. Clear Creek Ranger District 101 Chicago Creek Road P.O. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. At the 2-mile mark the road reconnects with the Chicago Lakes Trail. Group size is limited to 15 individuals. . I took my time hiking up to the upper lake, then took even longer getting back since the trail was starting to get crowded. I can see why this is a popular one. Permit holders are to close and lock the gate after entry and exit. But before travelers can savor the cherry on top of this road-trip sundae, they have plenty of sights to see. Hiking conditions are best from July through September. Even the dogs had a great time! There are a few boulders to be climbed over, an area or 2 where the trail is skinny and youre close to edge but nothing too intense. Colorado Wildside 276 subscribers Chicago Lakes in Idaho Springs, Colorado Day Hike Video Arrived at Echo Lake around 6:30 on 5/31 and there were about 10-15 cars at that time. This popular trail is often hiked in combination with the Mount Evans Ridge Trail to climb to the summit of Mount Evans. Skip to content FatManLittleTrail. Narrow trail. Proof of City residency or property ownership is required. However, in September of 2013, heavy rains caused a serious washout just above Upper Chicago Lake. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. Check out this 17.6-mile point-to-point trail near Chicago, Illinois. Only a couple scrambles but it is a slower go than you might think. I was in awe the whole time. It steepens considerably up the rock face separating the two lakes, a strenuous climb with a commanding view over Chicago Lake #1 and the valley below. An official website of the The upper lake was beautiful and the perfect spot to take a break and have a snack. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Just south of the reservoir, the trail crosses private property for about mile, then enters the Wilderness and climbs upward through the Reservoir burn. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 1 min to complete. Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E connected to the .gov website. It was flat and well maintained. Definitely a moderate hike - wouldnt take your 2 year old or young kids in vans??? Be sure to bring these along, just in case. Share sensitive information only There is no registration fee. Mountain views. Loved this hike. Went in December and the Lakes were totally frozen over which was magical. All in all a great hike lots of people with pets, I'd advise weekday hike or arrive very early", N39 39.548W105 36.369 0.0 miles : Echo Lake Parking Lot (west side), N39 39.049W105 36.602 .7 miles : Steep descent to Chicago Creek, N39 39.067W105 36.788 1.1 miles : Cross Chicago Creek, N39 39.066W105 36.827 1.15 miles : Turn south on dirt road toward reservoir, N39 38.694W105 36.995 1.65 miles : Idaho Springs Reservoir, N39 38.391W105 37.009 2.05 miles : Mt Evans Wilderness Area Boundary, N39 37.996W105 37.309 2.55 miles : Moderate climb up west side of valley, N39 37.681W105 37.733 3.2 miles : Cross major tributary on flattened rocks, N39 37.470W105 37.841 3.5 miles : Steady travel into upper valley, N39 37.182W105 38.135 3.95 miles : Spur to lower Chicago Lake, N39 37.040W105 38.073 4.1 miles : Chicago Lake #1 - northwest shore, N39 37.182W105 38.135 4.25 miles : Back at spur to lower Chicago Lake, N39 36.965W105 38.239 4.6 miles : Spur to southwest shore of Chicago Lake, N39 36.773W105 38.366 4.9 miles : Upper Chicago Lake, The area between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake is home to breeding populations of. It is very easy to extend the hike beyond where the All Trails route endswell marked. Check out our profile of the Chicago Lakes hike on the sides of Mt. A short climb past a second Chicago Lakes Trail sign crests over a deep gorge carved by Chicago Creek with views of Mt Spalding and Mount Evans in the distance. Not that many fall/yellow leaves along the actual trail, but great views of them. Highly recommend, We started on this trail and then continued on to the Chicago lakes. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. * There are several social trails in the area, simply choose the one that heads southwest. Great trail! Use of the access road is by permit only and available exclusively to Idaho Springs residents. Added by The Outbound Collective LockA locked padlock One of my favorites. Colorado Hikes. Go south for 6.5 miles and turn right on southwest Forest Service Road 188 (West Chicago Creek Road). West Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout. I plan to hike it in full when I get a chance to return to Denver, so thanks for all the information everyone. So beautiful and surprisingly empty for a Saturday. Some beautiful views and so much water. Details Distance 6.53 miles Elevation Gain 1837 ft Route Type Loop Description This is a new adventure! Not a great trail for dogs especially with it being snowy and icy. The north segment of trail from Echo Lake down to the Idaho Springs reservoir on Chicago Creek was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, and was called the Chicago Reservoir trail or simply the Reservoir Trail. Perfect trail! It can be accessed on foot the Chicago Lakes Trail. This is a popular breeding area for big horn sheep and mountain goats in the late spring and early summer, so keep an eye out for them on the valley walls. Thanks for the recommendations! Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. It climbs through a burn area, the result of a fire in the 1970s, then continues to climb to Lower Chicago lake. Early quad maps from the early 1900s show the trail and two cabins in the vicinity of the lower lake. So pretty in the fall with the trees changing color. 601 Denver, CO 80202. Nebraska Hikes. It was a beautiful trail and the inclines made it difficult for me! The weather in the Mount Evans Wilderness can change rapidly; be prepared for high winds, snow, rain, hail, and intense sunlight. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 5 h 16 min to complete. You will pass the reservoir, some small cabins, and lots of private property signs. The trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. Genesee Pub and BBQ, https://www.geneseepubandbbq.com/ Even the dogs had a great time! Definitely bring Yaktraks or spikes for this one! Great trail! The trail continues, faint at times, up a steeper section to Upper Chicago Lake. Rocky but well maintained. Turn right (west) onto Mt. I didnt see any signs for the reservoir, only Chicago lakes, so we didnt fully complete and turned around at the creek passing. So this is a great opportunity to get acclimated to a little altitude. Beautiful hike and great for dogs. There is tree cover just below Upper Chicago Lake with good views over Lower Chicago Lake. Trail Map Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Chicago Lakes Trail in Mount Evans Wilderness Where: Mount Evans Wilderness, Colorado Distance: 9.1 miles | 14.6 km Elevation Gain: 2,142 feet | 652 meters Time to Complete: 5-8 hours Difficulty: Challenging to Difficult Best Time to Hike: July to September Park Fee: Free Hiker Traffic: Moderate Cell Service: Spotty With the current road closure on Mt Evans, the walk down the road was incredibly peaceful and relaxing. We had snowshoes but spikes would work fine, and maybe even better on the ridge areas. Experience this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Ignore a social trail leading across the creek to a popular bouldering area on the east side of the valley. Evans, Lakes, Mountain Peak Views, Creek, High Country, Cliffs, Wildflowers, & Wildlife: Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Elk. Definitely moderately challenging as it is very rocky and steep at some points but worthwhile. Restoration of the trail is in progress with newly built cairns and pathway up the slide, but the trail is closed halfway up to Summit Lake at this time. Evans Wilderness area. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idaho Springs Reservoir is a little over 1.5 miles. Chicago Lakefront Trail. Definitely micro-spikes needed and snowshoes towards the top. Lots of people stopping in to look at the lake. Fishing is to be with lures only, no live bait. LockA locked padlock The trails has. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. This was a stunning hike! I did this hike with my wife today and it was awesome. You'll reach Lower Chicago Lake in just 3.95 miles. Despite its skeletal appearance, the forest is in a natural state of recovery. The trail continues to the upper lake, above treeline. Watch for the private property signs once you hit the road to the reservoir. Nice pass through snow storm made for really great pictures. About 3 miles instead of the full 4. Very low water levels and no snow looks like we are in for a drought this year folks. In 2004, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative constructed a new trail between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake . The trail circles Echo Lake and connects to several other trails: Chicago Lakes, Bear Track Lakes trails, which give you access to Mount Evans Wilderness Area which is full of other great hiking trails,and Mt. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Length 17.6 miElevation gain 282 ftRoute type Point to point. Note that high valley walls may block your view of oncoming weather. This is a great day hike! Idaho Springs Reservoir covers 20 square acres with a maximum depth of 30'. 10/10 would recommend this hike to anyone. Easily one of my favorite hikes in Colorado since you get to explore three separate lakes and decently varied terrain This one is no cakewalk though, its got some steep sections and is consistently uphill. So beautiful and surprisingly empty for a Saturday. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Grasses and wildflowers fill the hillsides, while young aspen have emerged in replenished soils. If you go out to Chicago lake just note that you start high and then go down and then back upetc, and it's out and back so the last leg back can be quite a workout after you've done 10+ miles. adventures and follow local regulations. No motorized equipmentor mechanized transportation. We saw a moose! 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