Backpack to Island Lake

Durango, Colorado

5.0/5

based on 3 reviews

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Details

Distance

8 miles

Elevation Gain

3000 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Nick Souvall

A long yet rewarding hike to many beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and mountain views. At Ice Lake you'll see some of the bluest water around, and at Island Lake, one of the most unique lake formations in Colorado.

From the Ice Lakes basin Trailhead, this 8 mile round trip trail with 3000 feet of elevation gain will bring you to the Ice Lakes Basin with an abundance of beautiful lakes, especially Island Lake and Ice Lake. We camped on a little shelf above Island Lake, but you can camp anywhere you find a nice spot. The views are endless so anywhere you camp is going to be great.

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Features

Chillin

Camping

Photography

Swimming

Backpacking

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Lake

Scenic

Wildflowers

Swimming Hole

Reviews

Crystal Sibson

Backpack to Island Lake

08/14/20

This was a slow going hike due to the elevation gain and altitude. Once you are at the top it will be worth it, I promise. The scenery is amazing.

5.0

Explorer

Kevin Abernethy

Explorer

Backpack to Island Lake

07/10/18

This trail blew away my expectations. Beautiful scenery the entire time and there are wildflowers everywhere if you hit the trial around July. The lakes are something you have to see in person. Also dog friendly which is rare for such a beautiful spot. If you are in the area make sure you knock this trail out

5.0

Kelley Dodge

Backpack to Island Lake

02/01/18

This was one of the most stunning backpacking trips I have ever done. I would recommend setting up camp before climbing up to the lakes, as it can get pretty windy up top at night. The lakes on top are STUNNING. Water is an unbelievable turquoise color. Definitely DO NOT miss this place if you are in the area!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Upper Ice Lake

From the Ice Lakes trailhead begin hiking through a meadow that quickly enters the forest and begins to climb. The trail will climb ~1,600 feet in the next two miles. As the trail climbs there is a scenic waterfall just over .5 miles, it is worth it to scamper up for a closer look (at ~1.0 miles there you can get a nice vantage point from the top of the same falls). After the waterfall, the tra...

Ice Lakes Trail to Island Lake

Just north of Silverton, CO, lies the South Mineral Valley which is reachable down a well maintained, and paved dirt road and ends in the South Mineral Campground. The hike starts out with a sweat generating 1500+ feet of gain over its first two miles. However, there are numerous spots to stop and cool off with near constant mist from a sizable waterfall that will be to your right for much of ...

Climb Fuller Peak

Begin by hiking the Ice Lakes Trail for 3.5 miles, which will take you to Ice Lake. From here, you can identify the obvious, delta-shaped mountain to climber's left, known as Fuller Peak (13,761ft). Hike cross country, directly toward the base of the North Ridge (right skyline), walking past Fuller Lake. Pass under the cliff band and gain the North Ridge. Climb over easy ledges to the summit.Yo...

Camp at South Mineral Campground

Some general notes: South Mineral Campground does not take reservations - all sites are first come first served. There are an assortment of designated areas along South Mineral Road where dispersed camping is allowed so there is plenty of camping in the canyon on all but the busiest days, but you must camp in one of these designated areas if this is the case.South Mineral Campground is the la...

Explore Clear Lake

The road to Clear Lake offers wonderful views of the South Fork Mineral Creek, and the San Juan Mountains. Some people make the 9-mile round-trip hike with 2,600 feet of elevation gain, others drive as far as their vehicle will allow and hike from there, and some make the drive all the way up. It is not really a technical drive, but it is not for the faint of heart, and it does require a high-c...

Backpack to Island Lake

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Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Upper Ice Lake

Ice Lakes Trail to Island Lake

Climb Fuller Peak

Camp at South Mineral Campground

Explore Clear Lake

Ophir Pass Road

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