Blue Lakes
Traveling west of Ridgway on Highway 62 one cannot help but be impressed by the long, rugged line of mountain peaks that lie directly south of the road. Nearly all of the summits rise above the 13,000-foot level, but there is one peak in particular that dominates the scene: Mount Sneffels. At 14,150 feet above sea level, Sneffels stands over 300 feet higher than its nearest neighbor; it is the only fourteener in the area. In 1980 the land between Mount Sneffels and North Pole Peak, 7.5 miles to the west, was designated as the Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area, and today few outdoorsmen can gaze at the dramatic mountain scenery without feeling the urge to explore. There are only a few trails leading into the wilderness area, but in my opinion the Blue Lakes Trail ranks among the best.
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Directions to: Blue Lakes
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Ouray |
| Length | 8.6 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,370 ft |
| Skill Level | Well maintained and easy to follow. |
| Duration | 6 hours |
| Season | Midsummer through mid-fall. The trail is generally covered with snow from mid-November through June. |
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