Hike to the Historical Interlaken Resort

Follow Colorado Highway 24 South from Leadville for 14 miles, then turn right onto Colorado 82 towards Aspen. Turn left onto County Road 25, then follow the road for 1 mile to a small parking area for the Colorado Trail. You have arrived!

This trail starts near 9,200 feet of elevation and while your destination is the same, you’ll wind up and down the trail along the lakeshore and end up with about 550 feet of round trip elevation gain. Start on the Colorado Trail and follow it for about 1.5 miles where you’ll come to a trail junction where you will continue on the Interlake Trail to the right and the Colorado Trail will switchback to the left. The final mile is easy walking and you’ll eventually leave the forest and enter a meadow with sweeping views over Twin Lakes to your left, and Mount Elbert in the distance, Colorado’s highest peak.

Continue through the meadow and find yourself at the remains of historic Lakeshore Resort built in 1879. You can walk around and explore the dozen or so buildings ranging from the old hotel, a 6-sided privy, the caretakers home, a dance hall and more. You can enter the caretakers home and get out of the elements if you’ve been surprised by the Rocky Mountain weather. Be sure to sign the guest register!