Bear Lake via Colorado Trail

The Bear Lake via Colorado Trail is a must-add to your Colorado hiking itinerary. This stunning adventure will guide hikers up past granite outcroppings, lush meadowlands, and abundant pine forests up to the glittering lake. With limited elevation gain and semi-strenuous terrain, this trek presents the perfect opportunity to acclimate to the area’s altitude whilst conditioning for a more technical summit ascent. When hiking in the winter months, we recommend a pair of snowshoes or microspikes to easily navigate the snow-packed terrain.

Begin your trek along the Bear Lake via Colorado Trail from the Colorado Trail Segment 9 Trailhead. From here, the trail will guide hikers through meadowlands and beneath the timberline. As you wander the winding path up to the lake, be mindful of your footing on the rocky terrain. Enjoy the diversity of the landscapes as the route takes you between exposed and sheltered terrain all the way up to the lake.

Bear Lake is located to the right, on the south side of the Colorado Trail Segment 9. Situated just off the trail, this quaint alpine lake reveals stunning views. Enjoy the sight of the glittering waters encircled by towering pines with the rolling dramatic peaks composing the background. Once you are done reveling in the views, retrace your footing along the path back to the trailhead.