Our friend Bebe, from The River Club, hiked one of the prettiest hikes in Southwestern Colorado... maybe even in the entire state. Ice Lake and Island Lake are gorgeous high-alpine mountain lakes located near our neighboring town of Silverton. Here's a description on how to get to the lakes and check out the photos!!
When heading to Silverton over Red Mountain
Pass, before you reach the town, there is a turn off for South Mineral
Campground.Take this right and head down the road a little ways and you
will see there is a parking lot off to the right, park here and the adventure
begins. There is a clearly marked trailhead at this parking lot for Ice
Lake. The hike to Ice Lake is a moderately steep climb of 3.2 miles to Ice
Lake. Before reaching Ice Lake you will see a large lake to your left that is
below tree line, Ice Lake is over the next ridge from this point. When you
start climbing to the ridge take a moment to see the waterfall that falls
diagonally through the rock face, this will be to the left of you.
If
you feel adventurous and choose to go to Island Lake you continue on the
path from Ice Lake that heads right and Island Lake is another 3/4 of a
mile off the trail. Ice Lake is so clear and blue that you can see the
fish swimming 20 feet below the surface, it really is one of the most
magnificent lakes around. Island Lake is darker is color but has a very
prominent island right in the center of it. Make sure to be prepared for hiking
in this area, thunderstorms happen frequently and you are exposed at the lakes
because they are above tree line.
