Threats of harming another The moonlight danced across the water and cast shadows along the willows from the mountains towering above. Take the left forks as you go, the right ones go to Electric Pass (which is a great if you have the time and the weather is still good). The trail forks several times. Get an early start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. In all, the environment and the views from Cathedral Lake were beyond rewarding. I've also got some pages with tips for a more comfortable backpacking trip. This very popular trail begins just a few miles from Aspen, running through dense aspen and then pine forests to a beautiful alpine lake, towered over by stunning Cathedral Peak. And that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy sharing the trail; it’s simply that not all hikers practice common trail courtesy and make it an unpleasant encounter. We began the hike late in the evening, close to 5pm, so we knew we would either not make it to the lake or finish the hike in the dark (headlamps were on the ready!). After saying a quick farewell, he headed off to get pictures of Cathedral Peak. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The trail crosses Pine Creek on a bridge. It was a first for us and very exciting, though. There was an error processing your request. Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. The clear day allowed us to enjoy the expansive views across the range. The lake was even more beautiful in the daylight, and the towering mountains above it provided the most gorgeous background. Totally worth the views at the lake! Hunt for game such as... Cathedral Campground in Rio Grande, Colorado | Ever wanted to see if you could live off the land? This hike is a great cardio workout that contains no shortage of alpine views as a reward. The Castle Creek valley, south of Aspen, Colorado is host to several great trails. This is incredible! Learn more about our photo removal policy if you would like to proceed with flagging this photo for removal. In all the years I've been traveling the United States, hiking is my favorite way to see an area. Be Truthful. Me and my Buddy went in as a day hike and it was fairly packed on a Sunday witch kind of sucked but other than that hike was pretty cool and easy hike. Learn more, I would like to sign up to receive email updates from Hipcamp. We grabbed our stove and headed to the lake shore to have a hot cup of coffee and breakfast by the water. The trail proved to be quite the popular trail, and we were passing other hikers every few minutes or so. Share with Us. After some small trail talk we found out he was the owner of Protrails, a trail review and conditions info page. As a native Midwesterner who moved to Colorado in 2004, I had never laid eyes on the Rocky Mountains. We crossed two boulder fields and then arrived at the very steep, very short set of switchbacks that indicated we were getting close to the end of the trail. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Backpackers should camp in the trees below Cathedral Lake, as there is little shelter at the lake or beyond. Hunt for game such as... Recreate responsibly during … I have since learned to find beauty in any mountain, but the Elk Mountains will always have a place in my heart. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Once we got to Leadville, we decided to head up to Aspen, as neither of us had ever been, and we wanted to see Maroon Bells. Recommended season(s): Summer to early fall. Beautiful alpine lake. At the end of the road you'll find the trailhead. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Would you recommend Cathedral Campground? Cathedral Campground may just be the place to try it out. Past the creek, the lake was just a few hundred yards away. Make the .75 miles detour off of the John Muir Trail to reach this spot and you won't regret it. The vast acreage of wilderness and backcountry beauty in Colorado make it one of the more popular locations for camping, backpacking, and day-hiking. The extra mile and a half to the top of Electric Pass provides a stunning 360* view of the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness around you. Elevation gain: 2,000 ft. Colorado Wilderness - Hiking and Camping in the Backcountry, Avalanche Creek, in the Crystal River valley, Horsethief Canyon SWA, Grand Junction, Colorado, Lost Lake Slough and the Three Lakes Trail loop, The Ruby Anthracite Trail near Kebler Pass. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. After taking in the sights at the lake, return to the trail and retrace your steps. We knew we wanted to go up to the Leadville area, but had no set itinerary as far as a hike or campsite planned. So off we went with the pups and packs in tow. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. I made it halfway up the switchbacks, but with a dog and the snow, it proved too much.