Blue Lake

View of Blue Lake

This nice hike up pretty Bridal Veil Basin leads past waterfalls and wildflowers to Blue Lake (12,220-ft.) nestled in a glacial cirque littered with mining relics.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

• Distance: 6.0 miles (round trip) to Blue Lake
  
• Elevation: 10,400-ft. at Trailhead
  12,220-ft. at Blue Lake
  
• Elevation Gain: 1,820-ft. to Blue Lake
  
• Difficulty: moderate-strenuous
• More Hikes in:
  Telluride / Southwest Colorado

Why Hike Blue Lake

Wildflowers and waterfalls abound on this pretty walk up Bridal Veil Basin to a large alpine lake set in a stark glacial cirque at 12,220-ft. Along the way the trail passes historic mining structures including the remains of an old tram, mining cabins and a bunkhouse. More mining debris is scattered around the lake.

Getting to the start of this hike is its own adventure. The 4WD road leading to the trailhead switchbacks up the headwall of Telluride’s box canyon, providing terrific views of Telluride, Bridal Veil Falls -- Colorado’s longest freefalling waterfall, and the historic power plant atop the falls.

Elevation Profile

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Telluride

Region Information:
Southwest Colorado

Other Hiking Regions in:
Colorado