When hiking, you’ll location remnants from Colorado’s mining times scattered alongside the path. The San Juan Mining District boomed involving 1871 along with the early 1900s with prospectors swarming these mountains for silver and gold. You are able to continue to see deserted mine shafts, tailings piles, and ruins of an outdated mining cabin.
With only 1050 feet of elevation achieve this hike is doable for nearly everyone. Should you’re driving in excess of Freeway twenty and don’t have all day long, quit for this mountain gem. Lake. Photograph by CiscoKitty.jpeg
When most hikers make reference to Blue Lake, this is the one They are speaking about. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and naturally The gorgeous mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for your sky, this brief hike is easily a classic and may be on your own have to-hike checklist.
The hike to Blue Lake is a fairly easy 3-mile trek that is full of awesome views and lots of character. The lake itself is located at the base of Glacier Peak, providing impressive surroundings.
Should the road is open but there occurs to get wildfires in the overall space—don’t despair! This continues to be the case the two moments which i’ve hiked the Blue Lake Path along with the sights have nonetheless been really very clear, I believe, a result of the path’s increased elevation.
For anyone seeking to stay right away, There are several fantastic campsites Found just off the trailhead. The sites present a lot of flat floor and many shade in the trees. You can find also several small hearth pits for all those wishing to make campfires.
That features ample food items and drinking water for the whole working day, in addition to a very good set of climbing boots, a raincoat, and layered garments to help keep you heat and dry in all climatic conditions.
You may also locate restrooms and some picnic tables below likewise. The trails major out of the Blue Lake Trailhead are very well-marked and easy to abide by, so you will not have any difficulty having the place you have to go.
Close to the Island Lake junction, take a look at what’s still left with the Flora Mine (rusty equipment and all). Remnants from an old mining operation about the Ice Lake path are prevalent, with operations continuing sporadically to the mid-twentieth century. Just try to remember they are safeguarded historic artifacts, in order to glimpse but don’t touch something.
The parking lot at Blue Lake Trailhead can accommodate all-around twenty vehicles, so plan to reach early to safe your spot.
Blue Lake At 6254 feet, Blue Lake sits quietly slightly more than two path miles from Freeway 20. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, Blue Lake wildflowers, and of course The gorgeous mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches with the sky, this brief hike is definitely a typical and should be with your must-hike checklist.
2. Pack lightly but wisely. You don’t really need to provide a great deal of gear with you on your hike to Blue Lake, but be sure to convey the Necessities.
The North Cascades are tucked rather considerably north, along the Canadian border, so getting to the trailhead could be a little a hike. For example, the trailhead is three plus a 50 % several hours northeast of Seattle or about four hrs southeast of Vancouver, British Columbia.
I’ve hiked this trail two times on weekdays in slide and also have generally needed to vulture around to get a bit for any location. So for those who’re visiting throughout a single of those intervals, I’d hugely propose having here on the early side (as in, prior to 8 AM)!