Ice Lake

Ice Lake, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Just getting to the trailhead for Ice Lake outside of Silverton, Colorado is a delight to the senses. The San Juan Mountains are quite a treat for a desert dweller in the summer, even what the locals were calling a heat wave felt refreshing and energizing. Just two miles north of Silverton on US 550 the left turn-off to South Mineral Campground led us along a well graded road to the campground and the trailhead. After a couple days of car camping and touring the San Juans by car we were ready to hike and get a closer view.

Taking In the Incredible Vistas

The number of cars in the parking lot should have tipped me off that we had stumbled on to something special; but I just went through the motions preparing for an overnighter in what I thought was just the standard issue Southwestern Colorado glory. The hike in is short so we launched onto the trail with a relaxed, slow and easy pace. A good thing too, because it is uphill, not terribly steep but consistent. The trail stays near the creek most of the way, switchbacking through a forest of Spruce and Fir with a green and flowering carpet . As the trees started to thin out the flowers started to take over. It seemed that we couldn’t escape a waterfall view. Next thing you know we reach Lower Ice Lake. We spy a prime campsite and spring into action.

Beautiful Wildflowers Along the Trail

Lean-to erected, tent pitched: we high five as it starts to rain and we watch a few more parties stroll through and look for their own slice of paradise. An hour or so of rain does nothing to dampen our spirits as we lounge under the tarp. Once the storm breaks we head beyond tree-line and Ice Lake. Less than an hour later we reach Ice Lake. WOW! I have seen some pretty water but this is something special. The color was changing as the sun flirted with the clouds. We burned up the memory card as we gawked and repeatedly said things like, “That is so awesome!” Another storm with a menacing electrical component sent us scurrying back to the comfort of camp. There are a few more lakes up in Ice Lake Basin but they would have to wait for the next day.

Ice Lake (back) and an Unnamed Lake (front)

The next morning we had a leisurely breakfast , policed camp, then headed back to Ice Lake Basin. Ice Lake was just as we remembered it, so we couldn’t help but dawdle before exploring the basin some more. Fuller Lake was the next stop. More gawking and dawdling. Past Fuller Lake there seems to be a reasonable line to a high ridge over 13,000ft that could offer some mellow ridge walking. Alas we wouldn’t find out. Cracking and booming in the sky and a steady darkening turned us around. We tried to wait it out near Ice Lake and attempt a trip to Island Lake nearby. Nope; discretion is the better part of valor. Right.

The storm never let up. We sat under the tarp for a couple of hours waiting for a lull. Finally we packed everything wet and headed for the car. The steady rain let up about 10 minutes before we reached the car. Perfect. The long ride home allowed us plenty of time to plot our next trip to Ice Lake and scheme how to be there while the flowers are blooming but avoid the thunderstorms. We shall return.

DIRECTIONS:

From Silverton drive 2 miles north on US 550. Look for the left hand turn-off for the Mineral Creek Area roughly 6 miles of good dirt road brings you to the South Mineral Campground and the Ice Lake Trailhead.