On the trail - July 17, 2011

Suggested Title: Return to Ice Lake

Seventeen years ago, I came across an article in Reader’s Digest about Ouray, Colorado. I was living in Illinois at the time and when I saw the picture of the town surrounded by towering mountains, I decided right then and there that I had to go. I went in July and stayed at a bed & breakfast called the Damn Yankee where I thumbed through some books on places to hike in the area. One hike in particular caught my eye. It was called Ice Lake.

Situated approximately halfway between Ouray and Silverton, the Ice Lake Trailhead is 5 miles in off the highway in the South Mineral Campground area. The gravel road you have to travel on adds to the adventure as you feel civilization slipping away. Starting at an elevation of around 9,400 feet, the hike is steep in places, but you are rewarded with natural features like towering waterfalls just off the trail. What made this hike so appealing was that Ice Lake sits at 12,262 feet. This I had to see.

When I made it up to the lake, I was rewarded for my effort with a view that reminded me what Ireland must look like. The lake was forest green surrounded by lush green hillsides and marsh marigolds. A lone fisherman was trying his luck on the far side of the lake. Then, tiny snow pellets began to fall, in July. The picture I took of Ice Lake sat on my desk in my office in Chicago to remind me that places like Ice Lake do exist.

Six years later, I returned to the Ice Lake Trailhead. I had purchased some new hiking boots and just wanted to go a few miles on the trail to break them in. I had no food or water, like I said I wasn’t planning on going very far. Well, I met a couple of folks from Arizona on the trail and they were kind enough to give me a candy bar or two and a soft drink and before I knew it, we were at the top again looking at Ice Lake. It takes about 3.5 hours to hike up to ice Lake and a little under 2 hours to hike down.

My wife and I have returned to Ouray many times over the years for their Fourth of July celebration. I have told her about Ice Lake and how cool it is, but we always seem to run out of time on our visit and not get around to hiking to it.

Then, one year we decided to hike it with her daughter. We almost made it to the top before a storm forced us to turn around. My wife and I tried again the next year, but once again a storm forced us to abandon the final part of the hike. That year, we had to take refuge under some bushes and trees and wait out a downpour until we got too cold and had to retreat once again.

The Ice Lake trail is challenging and to miss the weather, you need to start your hike early in the morning before the afternoon thunderstorms and snow showers roll in. You will see beautiful forested landscapes that turn into high alpine vistas as you hike. This classic hike rewards you for all your effort and is one you won’t soon forget.