Blue Lakes Trail
Blue Lakes
Three vivid blue alpine lakes in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, one of the most popular high-country hiking routes in the San Juans.
The Blue Lakes lie on the north flank of Mount Sneffels. The trailhead is at the end of the East Dallas Creek road south of Ridgway, about 40 minutes' drive from Ouray. The round trip to Lower Blue Lake is about 11 kilometers with roughly 500 meters of elevation gain, and its milky-blue water reflects the snowy peaks. Fit hikers can continue to Middle and Upper Blue Lakes for a round trip of about 14 kilometers. The area is a wilderness preserve, so hikers must self-register at the trailhead, and drones are prohibited. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoon at high altitude, so start early and bring plenty of water.
Opening hours
Open all day in summer and autumn
Nearby sights
- Mount Sneffels
- Yankee Boy Basin
- Dallas Divide
- Box Cañon Falls Park
- Ouray
- Red Mountain Pass
- Ouray Hot Springs Pool
- Ouray Ice Park