Ice Lakes Trail
Durango to TH
54 Miles
Gain
2430 Feet
Condition
Poor
Region
Trail Length
7 Miles
Ice Lakes Trail
A 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). The fire area included the Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road.
Fire crews report numerous fire-weakened trees on the lower sections of Ice Lakes Trail and the Clear Lake Road. Soils saturated by rain and snow and loosened by freezing and thawing will be even more unstable. Please watch for unstable rocks, trees and soil!
The Ice Lakes 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. 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.
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. A sea of columbine, larkspur, aspen daisies, chiming bells and cow parsnips blankets both sides of the trail.
But the best is yet to come. 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. The alpine wonderland around the lake invites exploration, with routes heading toward Island Lake, Fuller Lake and beyond.
Distance, round trip to Ice Lake is 7.0 miles with 2,430 ft of elevation gain; round trip to Island Lake is 8.4 miles with 2,552 ft of elevation gain.
Map & Directions
Map Coordinates: 37.82502018438983, -107.77970367481034
Where's the Trailhead?
dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD
Ice Lakes Trailhead
Take Hwy 550 North for 47 miles, then stay left upon entering Silverton to stay on Hwy 550 North. After 2 miles, turn left onto County Rd 7/Forest Rd 585. The trailhead is approximately 4 miles up the road on your right.
Trailwork
help build our trails!
Thursday, September 12 Trailwork
Join us for a weekday trailwork party at [location TBD]. Thank you for volunteering with Trails 2000 at our trailwork party on Thursday, September 12 from 4:30 to 7:30pm!