The upper lake was gorgeous but the wind coming over the mountain ridge made lingering long rough. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. The sun came out once I was eating lunch at upper & was unbelievably beautiful. Clear Creek Ranger District 101 Chicago Creek Road P.O. Great views both direction, one of the close mountains then a bunch of peaks on the way back. 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. I appreciated a quiet hike on a weekend. I have reynauds and my fingers went numb. And finally, there were some places where I had to scramble quite a bit in random parts of the trail. Very windy as you move to the higher lake. Decent crowd, most wore a mask (thanks!). The remains of one can be found along the trail by sharp eyed hikers. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. Accidentally hiked this, and it was fantastic. Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO. The fall colors are really coming in and with the backdrop of the mountains it was beautiful. Definitely worth the hike all the way to top. 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. Some snow covered the path close to Chicago Lake. If it did go to Summit Lake, it was poorly defined above the upper lake and hikers generally just made their own way.On 10/9/1978, the Reservoir Fire began from an abandoned campfire near the south end of the reservoir. Gorgeous views, good mix of different types of terrain, I will definitely be recommending this hike to everyone! The trail skirts the reservoir and leads to the Mount Evans Wilderness Boundary. 9/12). Chicago Lakes - 9.8 Miles Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County . Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. Circle the lake, or continue over its outlet on the trail leading up to Summit Lake (12,830'), which provides panoramas over the basin, and back down the entire Chicago Creek drainage. Abundant wildflowers stand out against the burned trees. The north segment of trail from Echo Lake down to the Idaho Springs reservoir on Chicago Creek was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, and was called the Chicago Reservoir trail or simply the Reservoir Trail. The Chicago Lakes are accessed from Echo Lake, 13.25 miles south of I-70 (Idaho Springs) in the Mt Evans Wilderness Area. Spaulding next time! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Beautiful views, the aspens are glowing gold right now. A short climb past a second Chicago Lakes Trail sign crests over a deep gorge carved by Chicago Creek with views of Mt Spalding and Mount Evans in the distance. We only went up to Upper Chicago Lakes due to time constraints. An unofficial-looking sign correctly points up this road on a steady climb to Idaho Springs Reservoir (1.65 miles : 10,617'). Awesome hike! In time, spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to its ecological climax. Trail Photos Evans Scenic Byway. The backroads have private property signs, so stay on the designated route and follow signs to Chicago Lakes. Despite its skeletal appearance, the forest is in a natural state of recovery. Minimal smoke on the far horizon. Breathtaking beautiful as always. It continues to the Mount Evans Wilderness Area Boundary (2.05 miles : 10,652'), where it moderates on a rocky path up the valley's west side. The lakes were a popular destination even before the National Forest was established. GPS Coordinates :: Download Coordinates. It took about 5 hours (a little under 3 there including several breaks, about 2 back) at a moderate pace, went a little past Upper Chicago Lake until there was a "closed for restoration" sign and I couldn't really see the trail anyway. The views were absolutely spectacular!! Beautiful hike! Overall great , challenging trail. Clocked in around 12 miles, only seeing 3 people the whole hike which was on the way back to the car. 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. Holy crap. Hiking up to Upper Lakes was a good proper challenge, but the views were totally worth it. 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. Really enjoyed this trail. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the Arapaho National Forest and Mt Evans Wilderness Area. In the beginning, the trail descends about 300 feet (meaning you have to ascend that coming back...not ideal). Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times in the Mt Evans Wilderness. Evans Ridge, Summit Flats. Trip Reports After crossing the wooden bridge at the creek, head straight to a dirt road and take a left to head uphill. 601 Denver, CO 80202. Visitors will enjoy stunning alpine landscapes and wildlife that includes moose, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goat: From the parking lot, follow the short dirt path to Echo Lake and continue south to the Chicago Lakes Trail split (.12 miles : 10,597'). In September of 2013, heavy rains caused a serious washout just above Upper Chicago Lake. Chicago Lakes, Trail Map, Echo Lake Trailhead, Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County, Colorado. Grasses and wildflowers fill the hillsides, while young aspen have emerged in replenished soils. Extremely foggy in the morning but it cleared up early afternoon. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. All in all a great hike lots of people with pets, I'd advise weekday hike or arrive very early", N39 39.548 W105 36.369 — 0.0 miles : Echo Lake Parking Lot (west side), N39 39.049 W105 36.602 — .7 miles : Steep descent to Chicago Creek, N39 39.067 W105 36.788 — 1.1 miles : Cross Chicago Creek, N39 39.066 W105 36.827 — 1.15 miles : Turn south on dirt road toward reservoir, N39 38.694 W105 36.995 — 1.65 miles : Idaho Springs Reservoir, N39 38.391 W105 37.009 — 2.05 miles : Mt Evans Wilderness Area Boundary, N39 37.996 W105 37.309 — 2.55 miles : Moderate climb up west side of valley, N39 37.681 W105 37.733 — 3.2 miles : Cross major tributary on flattened rocks, N39 37.470 W105 37.841 — 3.5 miles : Steady travel into upper valley, N39 37.182 W105 38.135 — 3.95 miles : Spur to lower Chicago Lake, N39 37.040 W105 38.073 — 4.1 miles : Chicago Lake #1 - northwest shore, N39 37.182 W105 38.135 — 4.25 miles : Back at spur to lower Chicago Lake, N39 36.965 W105 38.239 — 4.6 miles : Spur to southwest shore of Chicago Lake, N39 36.773 W105 38.366 — 4.9 miles : Upper Chicago Lake, The area between Upper Chicago Lake and Summit Lake is home to breeding populations of. Turn right down the first dirt road on your right and continue .25 miles to the parking area. 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. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The trail is intermittently rocky and steep heading up the valley with a full view of Mt Spalding, and a partial look at Mt Evans. There is no registration fee. I shed my down jacket after 3miles, but had my gloves on for the majority of the hike. It steepens considerably up the rock face separating the two lakes, a strenuous climb with a commanding view over Chicago Lake #1 and the valley below. Started around 10:30 am, 2nd car in the lot, with the people from the other car just hanging out at Echo Lake. Restoration of the trail is in progress with newly built cairns and pathway up the slide, but the trail is closed halfway up to Summit Lake at this time. The views are amazing and the trail itself is quite rocky, well maintained. With the current road closure on Mt Evans, the walk down the road was incredibly peaceful and relaxing. Wildflowers are starting to bloom at the upper lake. Trail Description Trail Photos Print this Trail Trip Reports. ", "Nice hike to great views of lower lake above falls in the cirque of the upper lake. The next mile follows a dirt road to the Idaho Springs Reservoir. Hiked to upper on Wednesday 9/9. Early quad maps from the early 1900’s show the trail and two cabins in the vicinity of the lower lake. Box 3307 Idaho Springs, CO 80452 303.567.3000 Denver Mountain Parks 201 W. Colfax, Dept. So awesome. One member of each party is required to register at the Mt Evans Wilderness boundary board and carry a copy of the registration with them during their visit. It lies in a classic U-shaped glacial valley with steep walls along the sides and at the end. The trail undulates ruggedly on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). Echo Lake is really pretty, and the hike to the Chicago Lakes is alright. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 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. Great day trip hike. Was a beautiful trail. The first mile can be somewhat steep in spots, with a lot of large rocks.