Quartz Lake Trail

Featuring a good amount of elevation gain into the mountains, a fun mixture of terrain, and breathtaking views of the surrounding San Juan Mountain landscape, the Quartz Lake Trail has everything that you could ever want in a great Colorado hiking excursion.

Setting out from the trailhead, you will make your way to the northeast through a mixture of open meadows and woodlands, climbing uphill across the picturesque landscape in order to arrive at the top of a ridge line. Here, you will head east along the rugged ridge and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding peaks, before turning to the north to descend the ridge.

Making your way downhill through the basin, you will enjoy some more beautiful views of the surrounding alpine terrain, as you continue on towards the end point of the hike. Eventually, you will arrive at the charming shores of Quartz Lake, where you can relax and take in the scenery after your hard work. Once you have wrapped up at the lake, simply turn back along the same trail to return to the trailhead where you began.