The rest of the trail is mediocre with lots of deadfall. Toward the end, there’s a fallen tree across the trail and you have to do some guesswork to figure out how to get around and back on the trail. The first of the two Chicago lakes is right at treeline.

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. This is also a wonderful summer trail that’s just an hour drive from Denver. Activities: Hiking, Camping, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Closest City / Town: Idaho Springs, Colorado. Download the free Georgetown topo map. The upper lake is a great place to rest and have lunch. The entrance to Chicago Basin is obvious after six miles, but don’t stop there. Decent crowd, most wore a mask (thanks!). West Chicago Creek is accessible only from Hells Hole Trailhead. Total elevation gain approximately 2000ft) Trail Length: Officially I saw everything from 9-10 miles, my fitbit said we went 11 miles but we did walk around the upper lake a lot. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. Echo Lake is really pretty, and the hike to the Chicago Lakes is alright. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Both lakes offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. Evans. Dogs are allowed on the trail if leashed. Gorgeous views and good mix of different types of terrain! The trail climbs upward for the remaining 3 miles. So, got here at 9am (Monday) and was the 4th car thank goodness! Origin. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. On my first weekend in Denver, we broke in the hiking legs. Tags : Arapaho National Forest, Chicago Lakes, Chicago Lakes Trail, Colorado, Mount Evans, Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Get off on Highway 103 (exit 240) and head south. The Chicago Basin in the San Juan Mountains is one of the first recommendations hikers receive when searching for backcountry destinations in the sprawling mountain wilderness of southwestern Colorado. This Midwestern mecca is bordered by forest preserves, the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan Trails, and plenty of urban and rural opportunities to hike, bike, and cross country ski throughout the year. Once you get to the southern edge of the dam, the trail climbs the remaining three miles to Chicago Lakes. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. You will pass through an old burn area where in 1978, 400 acres burned in the Reservoir Fire. The trail was packed and icy in some places. From I-70, head west towards Idaho Springs. The second lake is above treeline. The trailhead is located at 10,600'; the final destination is at 11,800'. Mount Evans Resthouse Trail to Lincoln Lake, Idaho Springs Reservoir via Chicago Lakes Trail [CLOSED], Cascade Creek to Saxton Lookout OHV Trail, Summit Lake to Upper Chicago Lake via Chicago Lakes Trail, Warren Gulch Trail [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY], Mount Spaulding and Mount Evans via Summit Lake - Standard Route, Gray Wolf Mountain via South Chicago Creek. I started around 7:15 and didn’t run into many people on the way up. The plan was to be at the Lower Chicago Lake by sunrise; a 4 mile hike one way. Didn’t see too many people. Two Years Alone in the Wilderness | Escape the City to Build Off Grid Log Cabin - Duration: 1:31:40. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. Not much smoke at all, you start at Echo lake to the Chicago TH - stop at Idaho Springs Res, then follow the trail up to Chicago lakes. 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. The trail is fairly steep after about 3/4 of a mile and leads to an unbelievable overlook. Extremely foggy in the morning but it cleared up early afternoon. Soaring Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture. The Chalet has lodging, a store, a marina, a deli, and post office. Airport (ORD), 24.4 mi (39.3 km) from central Algonquin • Chicago, IL (DPA-Dupage), 18 mi (28.9 km) from central Algonquin • Chicago, IL (PWK-Chicago Executive), 21.2 mi (34.2 km) from central Algonquin After refueling, you can continue the trail up the southern ridge to Summit Lake to properly finish the Chicago Lakes Trail. So awesome. The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. 12-05-2020: This is one of my favorite hikes in the area and this was my first time hiking it in winter. The distance between the trailhead and the plateau is 5.31 miles. You can also head to the summit of Mount Evans from Chicago Lakes. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Good to Know. Trail has both smooth and rocky terrain. The trail starts off steep, dropping into a valley before running flat, then climbing steeply up again. Chicago's Top 5 Backpacking Trips. Running between the shore of Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive, the trail passes through several notable parks with many sightseeing stops along the way. Chicago Lakes Trail. Also, the trail wasn’t super well maintained. Head lamps were a must for much of the hike to the first lake. How to Get to Algonquin Lakes Trailhead Flights to Algonquin • O'Hare Intl. Gorgeous views, good mix of different types of terrain, I will definitely be recommending this hike to everyone! Minimal smoke on the far horizon. Leaves are blown out so that’s kind of a bummer. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO. After the road leads up to Idaho Springs Reservoir, the trail winds up another two miles until the first lake. Just be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get back up. However, the serenity of the lakes is well-worth the butt-busting effort. It wasn’t too crowded towards the last couple of lakes. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. Trailhead Lat/Long: 39.665430 N; 105.631540 W Managing Agency" U.S. Forest Service Fee: None S. Chicago Creek Trail Map (Google Maps) Directions: From Idaho Springs, take Chicago Creek Road south towards Mt. I used micro spikes and poles throughout the hike and they helped, but saw other hikers doing fine without them. Yet the sun beams gloriously many a cloudless day in midwinter, casting long lance shadows athwart the dazzling expanse.” – John Muir, Mountains of California. You get an appetizer of a view of the Chicago Lakes basin from the trail, just a taste of whats to come in 4 miles. The trail will diverge away from Echo Lake and will traverse along a scenic valley with mountain views off in the distance. Pick a spot with a gorgeous view of the stars, but please respect the “no camping beyond this point” sign you’ll find on the way up to Twin Lakes. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Until May 27th, 2021 at 11pm. You will pass through an old burn area where in 1978, 400 acres burned in the Reservoir Fire. This trail is more difficult than I expected and should probably be considered a "Hard" trail to do in winter. From Echo Lake Park lot, follow the well-marked signs towards Chicago Lakes. This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs upward the remaining three miles. Now the real fun started. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Cons: I found the actual trail frustrating. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. Chicago Lakes Trail May 2016 pt1 - Duration: 12:45. The portion of the trail leading to Idaho Springs Reservoir is a local favorite for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Consult guidebooks and maps and carefully plan your route before you arrive. Intended a quick hike to the reservoir but was in a groove and didn't realize it was a turn around point. Snowshoeing the Chicago Lakes Trail in the winter provides a greater sense of solitude. The views of the surrounding peaks – Mount Evans, Mount Warren, and Mount Spalding – from the trail are outstanding. Lower Chicago Lake is 3.5 miles from the trailhead at Echo Lake; the entire round-trip is 9.8 miles. TRAIL IS CLOSED AS OF 10/24 DUE TO FIRE RISK. The trail is relatively flat as it bypasses the dam. Accidentally hiked this, and it was fantastic. Experience balance at Indian Lakes Hotel, located just 28 miles from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport (ORD), this hotel blends the comfort of hospitality with the vast landscape of the Midwest prairie. Beautiful views, the aspens are glowing gold right now. The best campsites are (lamentably) on the far end of the basin, just as you start to flirt with treeline. The first mile of the trail switchbacks down to a creek crossing. Unique Cave Bar on-site located in our atrium . Few individuals wore masks, but most kept a respectable distance while passing. Alpine lakes and stunning vista are not always locked away in the back country. The scenery is mountains and trees, and the lakes were quite pretty with the mountains in the backdrop. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. Be careful to stay on the correct trail when you reach the wooded area between lower and upper Chicago lake. Chicago Basin can be reached by trails from several directions. The views are amazing and the trail itself is quite rocky, well maintained. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. Summit Lake Park provides easy access to the popular Summit Lake and Chicago Lakes Overlook. From here the trail will descent in switchbacks for 300ft until it joins the Chicago Lakes Trail, which is a dirt road for the first mile until slightly past the Idaho Springs Reservoir at 10617ft. Restrooms are available nearby. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs upward the remaining three miles. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Dispersed camping is allowed near the Chicago Lakes Trail, and all entering the Mount Evans Wilderness need a self-issued permit available at the trailhead. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. Chicago’s Lakefront Trails welcome residents and visitors from around the City. The trail itself was hard to follow at times. 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. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. See all the news, and events for Chi-town hikers. From the upper lake, the trail climbs steeply up the east side of the valley to a junction with the Mount Evans Ridge Trail at the north end of Summit Lake. The hike is steep (very steep) and a mix of rocky areas and loose scree, but it is fun, short, and spectacular. The backroads have private property signs, so stay on the designated route and follow signs to Chicago Lakes. The Chicago Lakes Trailhead has an elevation of 10,600 while it's destination has an elevation of 11,800. You'll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. That will lead you to another sign about.5 mile later directing you to the trail. After leaving the southwest edge of Echo Lake, the trial drops precipitously for about a mile until it hits Chicago Creek. Good hike on hazy day. Just be aware when you reach this point so you don’t make the same mistake we made! The Chicago Lakes are extraordinarily scenic. This sometimes steep and rocky trail starts at Echo Lake Park south of I-70 in the Mt. Chicago Lakes Trail #52 Map/Location. Highest Elevation: 11,740 ( Lower lake at 11,420ft. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wonderfully private and scenic trail favored by backpackers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and skiers. Trailhead starts at Echo Lake. Trailhead: Echo Lake Starting elevation: 10,300 ft Ending elevation: 12,000 ft Total elevation gain: 2,500 ft Mileage: 11.5 miles round trip. A beautiful drive up to Echo lake to start. The scenery is mountains and trees, and the lakes were quite pretty with the mountains in the backdrop. The views were absolutely spectacular!! Post-holed a bit on the push to the upper lake, but was worth it. Started the hike, and it was initially quite windy but the wind subsided very quickly. The trail begins at Echo Lake Park, quickly descending for the first mile, then back up to the lakes for the next 3. From the picnic area parking on the west side of Echo Lake, walk south along the lake-shore path to the SW corner of the lake and keep going south to intersect Trail #52. Beautiful hike! The crappy part was the first mile or so of the trail is downhill so you have to climb it at the end to get back to your car, which wasn’t ideal, but overall enjoyed the hike a lot. Evan’s Wilderness. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. I rate this trail a 4 for several reasons. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The weather didn’t seem to be particularly cold, but it was snowing a little when we set off. Definitely required micro spikes. The Chicago Lakes Trail #52. It is all part of the Chicago Lakefront Trail, an 18.5-mile-long path located along the western shore of Lake Michigan that is used for walking, jogging, cycling, scootering and skateboarding. What's more, they're downright wonderful. Lake Chicago was a prehistoric proglacial lake that is the ancestor of what is now known as Lake Michigan, one of North America's five Great Lakes. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. In the beginning, the trail descends about 300 feet (meaning you have to ascend that coming back...not ideal). Directions from Idaho Springs: Travel southwest on Highway 103 approximately 14 miles to Echo Lake Campground which is located at the intersection of Highway 103 and Highway 5 on the Mt. They are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. It’s 4.5 miles to the upper lake from the trailhead. The hike to Chicago Lakes is a great hike near Denver, taking you to pretty mountain lakes and into the high country of Mt. This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs upward the remaining three miles. Starting Elevation: 10,650 ( Lowest point of the hike 10,320). Chicago Lakes is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Evans Wilderness that has two magnificent lakes with stellar views towards the foothills and of Mount Evans. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. Purgatory Flats Trailhead: Access from the northwest Purgatory Trail (#511) – approximately 4 miles, 1500 ft descent Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Visit Nomad Colorado’s complete list of Colorado hiking trails for hundreds of great hiking options in the Centennial State! Mount Evans West Ridge via Chicago Creek is a 15.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Idaho Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Really enjoyed this trail. The Chicago Lakefront Trail (LFT) is a 18.5-mile-long (29.8 km) partial shared use path for walking, jogging, skateboarding, and cycling, located along the western shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois.The trail passes through and connects Chicago's four major lakefront parks along with various beaches and recreational amenities. The Chicago Lakes Trail is located 9.6 miles from Idaho Springs, Colorado (CO) in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. Traveled: Traveled: Chicago Lakes Trail (6,234′) “Hushed now is the life that so late was beating warmly. I went on a Saturday morning, arriving at the parking lot around 8AM and it was pretty full already. The snowfall caused me to lose the trail a few times especially toward the upper lakes. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. BigDirty 901 views. Fortunately, the fire stopped short of the lakes themselves, and it is the last mile of the trail that really makes the hike worthwhile. Evans Scenic Byway. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. Make a right (west) onto Hefferman Gulch Rd, a good dirt road. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Several water options accessible for filtering. Chicago Lakes Trail makes for a fantastic but long day hike or perfect 2-3 day backpacking trip. Don’t forget... what comes down must go up! If you’re looking for a butt workout – this is the trail for you. I wanted to find somewhere I could feel some elevation but not go for a 14er right off the bat. And finally, there were some places where I had to scramble quite a bit in random parts of the trail. Worth Noting: Snowshoeing this trail in the winter provides a greater sense of solitude than hiking it in the summer. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. Pros: trail was relatively quiet for a Saturday morning. This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs uphill the rest of the way. Go south for approx. Took about 2 hours 15 mins to get to Upper Chicago Lake and 1.5 hrs back down. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. Looking for hiking trails near Chicago? There is nice dispersed camping at the lakes. Or, the Amazingness of the Colorado Wilderness. → 6 thoughts on “ Mount Evans Scenic Drive and a Hike to the Chicago Lakes ” thegriefreality on June 27, 2020 at 7:34 … 11/23/20 - Packed snow and ice on the trail. The trail continues to the upper lake, above treeline. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. On your way, you’ll go through a 400-acre burn area that caught fire in 1978. The paved Lakefront Trail skirts the Lake Michigan shoreline, leading visitors on a walking tour of downtown Chicago. The route follows the Chicago Lakes trail up to the higher of the two lakes. Great views both direction, one of the close mountains then a bunch of peaks on the way back. Darting back into the trees, the first Chicago Lake sits at treeline. Only a few small patches of snow, no need for microspikes etc., but that may change pretty soon! The upper lake is a great place to rest and have lunch. A large parking lot is available on the hillside above the Echo Chalet. The Creek is dammed shortly up the trail, creating Idaho Springs Reservoir. I walked across frozen Echo Lake towards the Chicago Lakes trailhead, and was surprised to find the snow deeper than I expected and needed to stop and put on my snowshoes. While the views from there are spectacular, Summit Lake itself is a wonderful example of the alpine environment. The trail rolls through some forest for a bit before opening up to a beautiful view of Mt … The Chicago Lakes Trail begins at Echo Lake (west side), 13.25 miles south of I-70 on HWY 103. Many people on the trail, and when I got back to the parking lot, there were a lot of cars in the parking lot and on the road. The overlook platform is half a mile round trip along a wheelchair friendly path. Hence, not my favorite trail to hike on, though the view is pretty. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. On the trail to the Chicago Lakes in Colorado. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Both lakes offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. We started Friday (oct 16) around noon and planned to camp but bailed around 10 pm due to the crazy wind! Colorado Hiking Trails: Are you looking for other places to hike? The area sees heavy use in the summer due to the its close proximity to Mount Evans and numerous picnic areas. 11.19.2020 beautiful trail! Post navigation ← Drive Up Cottonwood Pass and Family Days in Evergreen. Then I walked back down Mt Evans Rd. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. Total Length 6mi; Elevation Range 10,331–12,868ft Δ 2,536ft; Manager USFS Clear Creek Ranger District; URL … It’s worth mentioning that you hike along a paved road with several foreboding “private property” signs for a mile and a half which is kind of odd. Turn right down the first dirt road on your right and continue.25 miles to the parking area. Follow the sign towards the Chicago Lakes Trail (west). Fed by retreating glaciers, it drained south through the Chicago Outlet River. Chicago Lakes in Mount Evans Wilderness. Author: Erica Zazo Updated: Jun 25, 2020 Original: Apr 20, 2018. The Chicago Lakes Trailhead and Trail: Park at the Echo Lake lot, where you’ll find the sign for Chicago Lakes Trail 52 on the west side of the lake. The FS has you park on the east side of the Mt. The downside of the Chicago Lakes hike is that in includes a mile of monotonous road walking followed by another mile through the scorched remains of an old forest fire. The Chicago Lakes are extraordinarily scenic. Parked around 1 on a Saturday, very crowded but road and parking lot have a high capacity, might be a short walk from the car to the start. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Yes, you read that right: There are indeed backpacking trails within striking distance of Chicago. Most of the birds have gone down below the snow-line, the plants sleep, and all the fly-wings are folded. The FS has you park on the east side of the Mt. The most convenient trailhead for Lake Aloha is at Echo Lakes just a mile off Highway 50 at Echo Summit, west of South Lake Tahoe. The city of Chicago lies in a broad plain which, hundreds of millions of years ago, was a great interior basin covered by warm, shallow seas. From Evergreen, take Squaw Pass Road to Echo Lake. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Evans Road (SH 5) in the campground. This trail can also be easily accessed by the Denver Mountain Parks picnic area … I appreciated a quiet hike on a weekend. Holy crap. 14mi total. Chicago’s scenic Lakefront Trail is an 18-mile paved path that follows the Lake Michigan shoreline on the city’s eastern edge. The Chicago Lakes Trail is a delight from start to finish. Both are small, with the Upper Lake only a short distance uphill from Lower Chicago Lake. Definitely worth the hike all the way to top. It should be noted that our suggested place for parking and accessing the Chicago Lakes trail is different than that recommended by the Forest Service. Echo Lake is really pretty, and the hike to the Chicago Lakes is alright. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. While the views from there are spectacular, Summit Lake itself is a wonderful example of the alpine environment. For a longer hike you can continue hiking south to Summit Lake … As a heads up, when you cross the bridge at the bottom & come to the dirt/gravel rd - make a left and you’re walking on a dirt rd for your last mile to the Res. Evans Wilderness Area and ascends to a pair of high alpine lakes below Mt Evans (14,265′), Mt Spalding (13,842′), and Mount Warren (13,307′). Leaving Echo Lake, Chicago Lakes Trail travels downhill for the first mile, here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Snow packed and icy for a lot of the hike, but beautiful and quiet. Directions: The trail to the Chicago Lakes starts at the Echo Lake picnic area. Trailhead GPS Coordinates › N 39° 39' 33.23", W 105° 36' 22.76" USGS Quadrangle › Idaho Springs. It should be noted that our suggested place for parking and accessing the Chicago Lakes trail is different than that recommended by the Forest Service. You can get to the lakes from Summit Lake Park by following the Chicago Lakes Overlook Trail 1/4 mi from the parking area and climbing down the Chicago Lakes Trail down to Upper Chicago Lake. Access to the Chicago Basin is tricky and expensive. With the paths in the snow we easily went the wrong way (embarrassing to admit as I’ve done this hike a handful of times before), up a rocky area and ended up in what seemed to be a mountain lion den (tracks and fresh kill). On any given day activity along the trails includes people commuting to work, training for marathons, caregivers with children in strollers, tourists on rental bikes, and people taking a leisurely stroll. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. You won’t be alone as this popular and conveniently located trail attracts many residents and visitors year-round. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail … The AllTrails map actually leads to Summit Lake which I didn’t attempt, but the recording came to 11.3 miles / 2260 elevation gain. Gorgeous views and few hikers on a Saturday, compared to the number of people I’ve seen on this trail in the summer. Follows the Chicago Lakes is alright 3.5 miles from the parking lot is available on the correct trail when reach... A greater sense of solitude than hiking it in winter from Hells Hole trailhead here at (... A bunch of peaks on the correct trail when you reach this point so you don ’ stop... 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