We’ve put together a list of the 8 best lakes for ice fishing in Colorado. The fire area includes the Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. Soils saturated by rain and snow and loosened by freezing and thawing will be even more unstable. It is moderately difficult, clocking in right at 8 miles with a total 3,000 feet of elevation gain, but the waterfalls, fantastic lakes, and wonderful views below and above the tree line are absolutely fantastic. “We were also seeing people in those designated campgrounds were staying way long, way past the 14-day rule. A big part of that would be public input.”. The fire area includes the Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. Dramatic peaks punctuate the ridge forming the backdrop for upper Ice Lake, nestled in an alpine wonderland. The Ice Lakes trailhead is about 7 hours driving from Denver in the southwest section of the state. It is located right outside of Silverton, CO and down the road from Ouray, CO in the San Juan Mountains. “We pumped the toilets in those campgrounds four times more than in any other season, and those are 750-gallon vaulted toilets,” Botsford said. Campfires were built on sensitive high alpine tundra, fueled by wood pilfered from historic mining structures. Again, creek crossing shoes and poles may be helpful, especially early in the hiking season. “Then people were parking up and down the road on either side, so there was no possibility for larger vehicles. The Ice Lake Basin Trail is a tough hike to stunning views, incredible wildflowers, and electric blue alpine lakes — it’s certainly worth the climb. Ice fishing at Wolford Mountain Reservoir near Kremmling, CO Here’s how to explore it in the winter. From the trailhead, a hike of a little more than three miles, with an ascent of about 2,400 feet, leads to one of the most spectacular settings in Colorado. The Silverton area boasts a number of great day hikes but none can compete with the sheer scenic beauty of Ice Lake. The explosive display captivates many viewers during this short summer spectacle. Because of fire damage, lots of erosion is expected in the burn area. Crews had cleared the Clear Lake road numerous times before the recent snowfall, but trees, rocks and boulders continued to fall. While reports of crowding and resource damage in Colorado’s public lands have been commonplace during the coronavirus pandemic, what unfolded over the summer in the spectacular Ice Lakes area of the San Juan Range near Silverton has to be among the most egregious. Follow the trail across a flatter approach to Ice Lake and marvel at the deep blue-green color that changes as shadows cross the lake. Over the last 10 months, the Ice Lakes Basin area has been trampled, polluted, and destroyed by a tsunami of visitors. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and backpacking and is best used from April until September. All rights reserved. “People seemed to be psyched because they were experiencing their public lands, which a good thing, but the sheer amount of use in that canyon was astonishing,” said Jed Botsford, recreation staff officer for the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest. You'll need to cross the creek that drains Ice Lakes to reach the Island Lake trail spur. This opinionated guide includes all the hikes in the Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and Lake City sections of the website plus info on local services and nearby attractions. “That high alpine environment up there cannot handle that amount of people walking off-trail, and that’s what was happening. Description: Ice Lakes Basin is at the headwaters of Mineral Creek outside of Silverton, Colorado. Ice Lakes Basin provides perhaps the best bang for your buck on an effort vs scenery perspective in all of Colorado. The Ice Lakes Trail is nine miles in length, round trip, and is located west of Silverton. The lot at the trailhead can handle 60-80 cars. 힘든 등산을, 그래도 전경은 매우 가치가 있었어요. Some of the hikers were woefully unprepared for a high alpine hike like Ice Lakes and unaware of what such a hike might entail. Then, adding insult to those injuries, in late October a wildfire burned nearly 600 acres near the Ice Lakes trailhead. “We will work hand in hand with San Juan County and the Town of Silverton, because everything we do up in that area affects them and their economy. Fortunately for you, they don't hibernate! Public entry into this area is prohibited for the safety of users. We know they were burning things besides normal firewood that you would collect in a forested environment, because we were finding nails from historic structures in those fire rings. And, of course, camping above treeline, you don’t have very much cover, so people were going to the bathroom literally right next to their tents, which they set up right next to the lake. Once it’s burned, it doesn’t come back for decades. Ice Lake Basin Trail [CLOSED] is a 9.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Ophir, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Hiking to Ice Lakes Basin, Colorado Ice Lakes Basin is located near Silverton, CO, a mecca of hiking, backpacking, and camping! EXPLORE ICE CASTLES IN Colorado Open for the season Dates and hours are weather dependent. “This summer it was 400-600 hikers a day, every day of the week,” Botsford said. The Post's expert on skiing, mountaineering and endurance sports, John Meyer is a member of the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Colorado Running Hall of Fame. People who arrived intending to camp, only to find legal campsites filled, resorted to parking along the road in the Mineral Creek canyon where the trailhead is located. That fire was fully contained Oct. 27. Beautiful, epic, and grand, it has it all. Anything like that would include a public comment period before going into effect. Hikers at popular Ice Lakes trail left behind feces, trash and damaged historic mining structures Daily Camera | 10d While reports of crowding and resource damage in Colorado’s public lands have been commonplace during the coronavirus pandemic, what unfolded over the summer in the spectacular Ice Lakes area of the San Juan Range near Silverton has to be among the most egregious. As a result, Botsford said, the Ice Lakes trail is expected to be closed until July 31. All Rights Reserved. Five years ago, Botsford said, a busy day on the Ice Lakes trail might see 250 hikers. The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. Beyond that, forest service officials are considering a permit system to access the Ice Lakes trail, similar to the system employed the last two summers at Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs. 13er's surround the lake - Fuller, Vermillion, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob. Southwest Colorado. “We will be reaching out to the other national forests that have permit systems in place to find out their lessons learned,” Botsford said. A good friend and long time Colorado resident calls this the best hike in Colorado--and he may be right. Did you see it? Fire crews report numerous fire-weakened trees on the lower sections of Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. They were there four, six, eight weeks, not leaving when they should have left after two weeks.”. San Juan National Forest, near Silverton in Southwest Colorado, View of Pilot Knob and the ridge to the west of Ice Lake, This wonderful hike visits two gorgeous lake basins, traverses wildflower-filled meadows and passes numerous waterfalls along the way. “We were seeing that lot maxed out by 7 in the morning,” Botsford said. Campers unable to find legal campsites near the trailhead below set up tents on roadsides or overstayed 14-day limits on legal sites. The 3-4 hour hike up to lower Ice Lakes past a great waterfall is wonderful. Designated campsites were full daily from the beginning of summer until the end, Botsford said. The Gore Range is about as wild as Colorado gets. Ice Lakes Basin sits at an elevation of 12,500 ft, … They were tearing apart historic mining structures and burning that. We want to make sure we’re all on the same page. Public lands in Colorado saw huge increases in visitation this summer as other opportunities for summer fun were restricted or eliminated. But the best is yet to come. Rainbow trout, kokanee (landlocked salmon), northern pike, mackinaw or lake trout, yellow perch and a host of other panfish lurk below the ice, depending on the Colorado terrain you choose to fish. Because of its western geography, Colorado might just rank as the state with the greatest variety of fish to catch from the ice. The trail offers a number of activity options. The closure is currently in place until July 31, 2021; however, it could be lifted earlier, extended later, or the boundaries could be adjusted depending on conditions. Ice Lakes Trail [CLOSED] is a 8.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Overuse impacts were felt not just in the Ice Lake Basin, but down below in areas near the trailhead. Upon reaching the lower basin great views open to Fuller, Vermillion Peak, Golden Horn and Pilot Knob rising above the ridge at the head of the basin. Then there were the parking problems. ALERT: The fire was reported on the afternoon of October 19, 2020, west of Silverton, CO on the north side of the South Mineral Creek Road (FS585). There are lots of options here - left and 300' higher in another.75 miles is Fuller Lake. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Dogs are also able to use this trail. Ice Fishing & Contests The lakes of Grand County, Colorado are home to some of the biggest lake trout in the Rocky Mountain West. Botsford said they were showing up in the heart of summer monsoon season — meaning afternoon rainstorms were likely with the possibility of lightning — with 12-ounce water bottles and tiny backpacks. Dogs are also able to use this trail. As you wander up the lower basin waterfalls emanating from unseen alpine lakes and snowfields tumble down clefts in the rocky hillside watering a breathtaking array of wildflowers. If there was ever a need for emergency management such as an ambulance at the campground or the trail, there was no way an ambulance could get by because the road was blocked.”. Another option is a shuttle system from Silverton to the trailhead to reduce parking problems, similar to one used in the summer months at the Maroon Bells near Aspen. See the San Juan National Forest site for more information on current closures. Rocky Mountain National Park sees historic burn, will remain closed along with national forests, Rocky Mountain National Park reopens west-side entrance after recent wildfires, More areas in Rocky Mountain National Park reopen following East Troublesome fire closures, Opt outside this Friday with these accessible hikes perfect for the whole family, Last hit: Meow Wolf shares new pictures, details of Denver location ahead of late 2021 opening, Up next: Wolf Creek Ski Area first in Colorado to reach 100 inches of snow after weekend storm, Five spooky Colorado trails to hike this Halloween, Popular Rocky Mountain National Park trail through a boulder field reopens after reconstruction project, Celestial event not seen since 1226 happening this month with amazing conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Opportunities for exploration include side trips to Island and Fuller lakes.Read Full Description. © HikingWalking.com. The Ice Lakes Basin Trail is located near Silverton, Colorado, within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest. A sea of columbine, larkspur, aspen daisies, chiming bells and cow parsnips blankets both sides of the trail. Fort Collins, Colorado 276 contributions 115 helpful votes Overrun by people and loose dogs and the bugs are voracious This trail has fallen victim to its own popularity and it is VERY crowded with hikers, lots of trail runners all of who do not leash their dogs, who go out into the fields to harass the wildlife. As a result, a permit system is being considered. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed for any commercial purpose. The Ice Lake Basin and aquamarine Ice Lake at 12,300 feet is ringed by 13,000-foot peaks. At the Ice Lakes trailhead and down canyon, forest rangers saw license plates from all over the country. Enjoy quiet landscapes, breath-taking scenery, and the tranquility of the Colorado wilderness. The cause is still under investigation. A steep climb to the upper basin leads to the turquoise blue waters of Ice Lake nestled in a magnificent cirque of sculpted ridges and peaks soaring well above 13,000-ft. To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff to Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north on Highway 550 to County Road 7, located between mile markers 72 and 73. We had human waste all over, between the rocks at the edge of the lake and 100 yards back. Crowding abated around mid-September, a month before the Ice Lakes fire, and it’s a good thing it didn’t happen before visitation dropped. Fire crews report numerous fire-weakened trees on the lower sections of Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. A new fire is forcing evacuations of more than a dozen hikers at one of the most popular hikes in southwestern Colorado, Ice Lake Basin, The Durango Herald reported Monday. The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. Updated: December 18, 2020 Ice fishing in Colorado has grown in popularity in recent years, with many hearty winter fishers investing in portable fishing shelters, electronic fish locators and use of several types of bait (consult a local tackle shop for best bait information). “We saw people camping literally on the edge of a dirt road with 150 cars going by all day long, dust falling on their tents and in their food,” Botsford said. It blows your mind, doesn’t it?”. For many, ice fishing is not the winter activity that brings them to Colorado, but for those true anglers that are willing to put up with cold for that great catch, ice fishing in Colorado is a must! The trail wastes no time gaining elevation, climbing 1,600-ft. in 2-miles through forests and wildflower-filled meadows to the beautiful Lower Ice Lakes basin. “People were also building fires directly on the alpine environment. Public entry into this area is prohibited for the safety of users. The fire is estimated to be burning across 15 to 20 acres. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground . Ice Lakes(シルバートン)に行くならトリップアドバイザーで口コミ(29件）、写真（27枚）、地図をチェック！ Ice Lakesはシルバートンで8位(16件中)の観光名所です。 “A large portion were from Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah,” Botsford said, “but we were seeing plates from Florida, New York, Washington state.”. More than 20 hikers on the Ice Lakes trail were stranded on Oct. 19 when the fire erupted near the trailhead, and they had to be evacuated by helicopter. Continue to Island Lake (Colorado) Island Lake lies just 0.5 miles and 250 vertical feet above the Upper Ice Lakes. PHOTOS: There was a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event in the sky above Colorado Monday night. Public entry into this area is prohibited for the safety of users. In the spring, Forest Service crews will work to mitigate hazards along the Ice Lake Trail and Clear Lake Road. New Colorado study claims no link between gym attendance and COVID-19 infections. From the trailhead, a hike of a little more than three miles, with an ascent of about 2,400 feet, leads to one of the most spectacular settings in Colorado. The hike to Ice Lakes begins from the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. The Colorado house with the best holiday lights in 2020 is ... Six free, socially distanced, in-person Christmas wonderlands to check out in Denver this month. We were seeing camping not only in the lower basin but actually at the lake itself. An edition of The Denver Post. Through a stunning array of alpine wildflowers, the Ice Lakes trail winds through old growth forest, sub alpine meadows, and up to alpine tundra. The hike up to Ice Lake and Island Lake in Colorado's San Juan Mountains is truly an amazing one. The alpine wonderland around the lake invites exploration, with routes heading toward Island Lake, Fuller Lake and beyond. Silverton / Ouray, Region Information: The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. The Ice Lakes trailhead is located about six miles west of Silverton. Human waste was left around the perimeter of Ice Lake and neighboring Island Lake. Ice Fire Closure Area Reduced; Ice Lakes Trail Remains Closed BAYFIELD, Colo., October 28, 2020 – The Ice Fire area closure has been reduced beginning Wednesday, October 28, 2020. The reputation of ice fishing as a cold winter activity is true, but with modern equipment like heaters, huts and the right winter clothing, you can usually find yourself quite comfortable. The trail might be difficult, but that doesn’t seem to deter the thousands of hikers this trail sees every season. Colorado Ice Fishing Forecast — November 10, 2020 Colorado Ice Fishing Forecast — November 10, 2020 So far, we are seeing the cold temperatures we need to get ice on a lot of the our bigger mountain lakes and reservoirs by Fire crews report numerous fire-weakened trees on the lower sections of Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox. Ice Lakes,실버톤: 16건 중에서 8위를 차지한 관광명소인 Ice Lakes에 관한 29 건의 리뷰와 27 건의 사진을 체크하세요. The fire area includes the Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. Basecamp(s) Information: Sign up for our weekly entertainment and outdoors emails to get news and weekend plans sent right to your inbox. All contents Copyright © 2020 The Denver Post or other copyright holders. Shoes and poles may be right sensitive high alpine hike like Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road side., rocks and boulders continued to fall the last 10 months, the Adventurist to. 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