The Blue Lakes Trail located in Ridgway, CO is a moderately challenging hike that shouldn’t be missed! I tackled this hike after the Colorado Trail and so happy I was able to cross this off my list!
Trail: Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes Trail Distance: 8.7 miles round-trip Elevation gain: 2,509 ft. Location: Ridgway, CO
The Blue Lakes trail consists of 3 alpine lakes- Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lake. All of these lakes are accessible via Blue Lakes Trail and hiking 8.7 miles round trip. The hike beyond the Lower Lake is considered moderately challenging, but worth it in my opinion. The hike itself is not technical, and the trail is fairly easy to maintain. There are two creek crossings that I remember, that may pose a threat in early spring with heavy snow-melt. As with every hike, be sure to check trail conditions before heading out and download an offline map.
The Story
The Blue Lakes trail had been on my list for quite some time and I wanted to reach it before the weather decided otherwise. Silly of me to think that mid-September would be the end of the hiking season here- but being from California, I didn’t know what to expect.
It’s mid-September, and the gloomy weather and rainy forecast made for a pretty moody experience at Blue Lakes. I was surprised (and happy) to see some wildflowers still holding on from spring and slowly transitioning to fall. It’s chilly, so I’m all bundled up with absolutely no plans of getting in any of the lakes. The trail is quiet being mid-week, but there are still people out and about, and even a few backpackers making their way back to the car.
The San Juans is special for a good reason. As much as I wanted to backpack, after spending 38 days on the CT, I very much enjoyed the day hike to all 3 lakes. Lower is the bluest of the 3 and usually the main point of interest. After visiting Big Pine Lakes in the Eastern Sierra, I truly believe this lake is even bluer! I spent some time here, walking around the lake and eating a few snacks before tackling the 780ft. ascent in a little less than 1 mile to Middle Blue Lake. While the lake itself looked pretty, the small descent to the lakeside was not and I was eager to push forward.
The surrounding area of Upper Blue Lake feels like Peru, silly to think that cause I’ve never been- but I imagine it’s what it feels like to be surrounded by so many beautiful mountains and an alpine lake. Upper Blue Lake was more green than blue and with the transitioning of the seasons, it truly felt like another country.
As much as I wanted to hike Blue Lakes Pass and possibly summit Mount Sneffels (14,159′), the weather was iffy for my lack of knowledge of CO weather, and I just didn’t feel like the suffer fest of hiking a 14er, at least not alone. As I made my way back to Lower Lake, a familiar face was hiking up the trail. I’d finally meet Jordana (@vagabondjordy) after fan-girling on IG for several years! I completed the trail and slowly made my way back down as she continued on her hike to Upper Blue Lake.
I had a bad ankle after finishing the CT, so I was super slow hiking out. So slow, that Jordy caught up to me! We made plans to grab lunch in town and hung out for some touristy things near Ouray and Telluride the following days too.
