Thomas Lakes - Mount Sopris
Basalt, CO
Thomas Lakes - Mount Sopris
A day hike to the Thomas Lakes or two-day trip to the summit of Mount Sopris. The Thomas Lakes are a pair of spectacular subalpine tarns that lie at the base of Mount Sopris. The hike to the lakes follows an old roadbed and makes a fairly easy day trip. From here, a new trail leads east to the ridgetop, where a primitive but cairn-marked route climbs to the summit of Mount Sopris. Although this mountain rises only to 12,953 feet, its isolation from other peaks lends it a sense of immensity, and the hike to the summit is as challenging as any fourteener served by a trail. Most summit-bound hikers choose to camp near the lakes to get an early start on their climb; Mount Sopris is a magnet for lightning, and it is best to descend from its heights before noon. An abundance of aspens makes this hike particularly rewarding in late September, when the leaves are changing.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Thomas Lakes - Mount Sopris
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Basalt |
| Length | 13.6 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 4,453 ft |
| Skill Level | Moderate to Thomas Lakes; strenuous to summit of Mount Sopris |
| Season | Mid-June to mid-October (Thomas Lakes); mid-July to early October (Mount Sopris) |
| Trailhead Elevation | 8,600 ft |
| Top Elevation | 12,953 ft |
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