Blue Lakes, Breckenridge: Tickets, Tours, Address, Blue Lakes Reviews: 5/5
Blue Lakes
Blue Lakes
5
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1 within 3 miles
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9 within 6 miles
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5.0
62 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
8
Average
3
Poor
0
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0
Czehr
22 contributions
Harder than expected
Sep 2021 • Couples
Difficult journey up as the road was closed. Had to hike and rest a lot since we weren’t used to hiking. They were working on the road. Beautiful views, though, so it was worth it.
Written September 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Itzhak F
Irvine, CA9 contributions
Amazing views and wildlife
Aug 2021
Amazing views
Accessible by car and enables a short hike with a family
Most wild animals we saw in our trip
Accessible by car and enables a short hike with a family
Most wild animals we saw in our trip
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Whitney B
Washington DC, DC11 contributions
Great hike!
Aug 2021 • Family
Love this!! We have a 1 and 4 yo so we drove up to the first lake and hiked around, it was gorgeous. We then drove up to the second lake and walked around. Highly recommend!
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CC C
Dallas, TX778 contributions
One of Our Favorite Drives!
Aug 2021
As summer residents, we try to visit Blue Lakes as many times as possible during the summer, both for the great views as well as the chance to intermingle with the local Mountain goat families (please don't get too close!) While they tend to stay on the rocky upslope to Quandary Peaks (or the adjoining mountains to the south), they often come down to feed around the parking lots at the top of the Blue Lakes road. Caution - this road is narrow and very rocky/bumpy during much of the summer so expect a rough ride!
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ultramike
Goshen, Ky9 contributions
Fun at blue lakes
Jul 2021
We spoke with a resident while hiking in cucumber gulch. She recommended blue lakes. We were originally going to mcCullough falls, but the crowds were tough so we aborted and went to blue lakes. There was parking. The lakes were great. We saw marmots and Rocky Mountain Sheep. Scenery was breathtaking. We had a great time
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
nowpacking
Dallas, TX2,535 contributions
Stunning Blue Lakes
Jul 2021 • Couples
Take Blue Lakes Rd off of Hwy 9 for stunning views! It’s an easy drive on a gravel road to Lower Blue Lakes parking lot. It’s just a short walk to the shoreline and your photos will be amazing! You can cross the stream and hike the trail or just drive up to the next parking lot for stunning views of the lake and valley. There is also a waterfall and trail from the upper parking lot. You can walk across the dam of Upper Blue Lake and hike the trail beyond.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LJScar
United States192 contributions
Lake still frozen on the third week of May
May 2021 • Couples
Did this Trail the third week of May. Blue Lake was still frozen. Lots of snow on the ground in fact mostly snowboarders hiking up to it with us. There is a huge chain link around the lake as it provides the town of Breckenridge drinking water so you can't actually get to the shores.I wanted to see the Vivid Blue Waters of an Alpine Lake but I think we were just a couple of weeks too soon on visiting. Good trail even with the snow. The dog loved it. Did not see any mountain goats but it was snowing and 32 degrees on that day. Will say the access road is about 2 mi of dirt gravel and needs to be graded in many areas. Don't necessarily need a four-wheel-drive but it would help.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bohatchlady
62 contributions
Absolutely Breathtaking
Oct 2020 • Couples
Stayed in Breckenridge for the last weekend of October and looking for something to do away from the wildfires. Highly recommend coming here! It’s only about a 20 minute drive from breckenridge and a beautiful way to get out of town and get some fresh mountain air.
The drive up to the lakes actually isn’t too bad....and I hate heights! Just keep your eyes on the road and it isn’t bad. A four wheel drive/AWD isn’t necessary (I don’t think), but I would still recommend it. There are some bumps and potholes and when we went, there were a couple of icy patches. So it wouldn’t hurt to take one if you can. Again, Blue Lakes is a beautiful place although we didn’t stay nearly long enough! The views up there were absolutely breathtaking!
The drive up to the lakes actually isn’t too bad....and I hate heights! Just keep your eyes on the road and it isn’t bad. A four wheel drive/AWD isn’t necessary (I don’t think), but I would still recommend it. There are some bumps and potholes and when we went, there were a couple of icy patches. So it wouldn’t hurt to take one if you can. Again, Blue Lakes is a beautiful place although we didn’t stay nearly long enough! The views up there were absolutely breathtaking!
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RoxyAva123
Brooksville, FL88 contributions
Breathing
Oct 2020 • Family
This was one of the best things we did in Colorado. So beautiful and peaceful. The mountain goats were so cool to see! I would recommend to anyone to visit here.
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
gregsf11
San Francisco, CA716 contributions
Mountain goats!
Sep 2020
Came here because it's one of the few places you can see mountain goats without a long hike at altitude, particularly with Mt. Evans closed above Echo Lake due to COVID.
The road is not nearly as bad as what they say, except in one spot where cars and all but the most high clearance 4WD SUVs were finding impassable. Unfortunately that spot was well below the lower lake, leaving about a mile to hike to the upper lake. It's not long, but it's uphill and at altitude. And the rest of the road was perfect -even a Corolla could have made it, but for that one spot early on. So I was a bit annoyed that they couldn't maintain that one spot.
It was beautiful up there at 12,000 feet, with views down to the lower lake and classic scenery of mountains reflected in an alpine lake.
But no mountain goats the day I went. I started down, somewhat disappointed but still grateful I could at least get such beautiful alpine scenery on such a short hike. And then I saw them... two beautiful goats, fur white as freshly fallen snow, grazing in the rocks above.
Turns out it was good the car didn't make it. All the people who were able to make it up in those high clearance SUVs didn't see the goats. It was only because I took the time to walk and look around the hills along the way that I was able to spot them. I guess some things happen for a reason.
The road is not nearly as bad as what they say, except in one spot where cars and all but the most high clearance 4WD SUVs were finding impassable. Unfortunately that spot was well below the lower lake, leaving about a mile to hike to the upper lake. It's not long, but it's uphill and at altitude. And the rest of the road was perfect -even a Corolla could have made it, but for that one spot early on. So I was a bit annoyed that they couldn't maintain that one spot.
It was beautiful up there at 12,000 feet, with views down to the lower lake and classic scenery of mountains reflected in an alpine lake.
But no mountain goats the day I went. I started down, somewhat disappointed but still grateful I could at least get such beautiful alpine scenery on such a short hike. And then I saw them... two beautiful goats, fur white as freshly fallen snow, grazing in the rocks above.
Turns out it was good the car didn't make it. All the people who were able to make it up in those high clearance SUVs didn't see the goats. It was only because I took the time to walk and look around the hills along the way that I was able to spot them. I guess some things happen for a reason.
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tdawg
Hendersonville, TN245 contributions
Is the rd wide enough for 2 cars to safely pass? Are there drop offs along the edge of the rd. We are terrified of heights. Did Boreas Pass to Como and will never do that again. Thanks!
Tgirl Flys
Fort Lauderdale, FL136 contributions
We drove to Blue Lakes and then took Boreas Pass to the Continental Divide sign on the same day. We also drove an SUV. I would say that road to Blue Lakes Is also very high and treacherous to look over the side with the views, but it is passable. It is nowhere near as long of a trek as Boreas Pass road and the views are so beautiful that it is worth it! You will not regret going.
julieruskin1
Cincinnati, OH2 contributions
Is there cell service on this trail? Thanks!
AnnArborMiBob
Ann Arbor, MI1,702 contributions
I do not know, but I very much doubt it. It is in Monte Cristo Gulch, and most gulches in this part of the Rockies do not have cell service.
mktgoddess
Dallas, TX86 contributions
What time were you there to see the goats?
GenevaCreek
Denver, CO53 contributions
We were there on a weekday in late July around noon. There were no goats. If you are already in Breck, this is a short drive off the highway, so you might check. It is hard to tell when they will show up. If you are really interested in goats, you might check out the Mt Evans highway from either Idaho Springs or Evergreen. You can check with the USFS in Evergreen to see if goats have been seen there recently. If you have a 4WD or an ATV, goats are also frequently seen at Red Cone pass from hwy 285 or Montezuma. Also, check with the CDPW on other locations.
