Grizzly Lake

Distance: 8 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,653 ft - 12,531 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,878 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: On leash (Wilderness)
Tags: #coloradooutdoors, #hiking, #aspen

A hike to Grizzly Lake near Aspen is a must do

Grizzly Lake near Aspen CO has just become one of my all time favorites. Not only is the trail soft on the paws, but it ascends a breathtaking valley with high walls on either side. When I did the hike in early fall it appeared as if some celestial artist had dribbled the valley walls in green and rufus paint that oozed downwards in an abstract display of color.

Trailhead

The start of the route heads upwards into the trees

West side of the valley

The first 0.6 miles steeply ascends a dense Lodepole forest before breaking out into a stunning glacial valley filled with grasses and spotty willows. Until the final ascent at the end of the valley, the trail weaves in and out of the trees and even crosses a persistent snowbank. It is impossible not to stop and gawk and the peaks on either side of the route. At 2.1 miles is the ruins of an old cabin. There is one stream crossing towards the end of the valley that was easy to navigate, but which would be more problematic in early spring.

East side of the valley

Heading up the valley

A little further up the route

Looking up at the initial shelf

Like most mountain tarns, Grizzly Lake is tucked at the top of a glacial shelf that is not visible from below. There are two shelves that must be ascended before the final "long switchback" that leads to the upper shelf comes into view. The first shelf is reached at 3.1 miles and the lake itself at 4. All this ascending is arduous with 800 ft being gained in the last mile of the hike. We did this in threatening weather and had to practically bolt upwards in a frantic attempt to reach the lake before Armageddon unfurled. The lake itself is somewhat anticlimactic but the views looking back down the "long switchback" are worth the final ascent.

The first shelf

Heading up the second shelf

Small lake on second shelf

The major downside of this hike is the long 6.3 mile kidney jostling dirt road one has to slog through to get to the trailhead. We argued the entire time about whether a high-clearance AWD could make the trip. For most of it, they could, but there were one or two very iffy spots that would give me pause in such a vehicle.

On the long switchback

Looking down on the second shelf

The rock wall to the south of the long switchback

You get to the trailhead by driving eleven miles east of Aspen on highway 82 towards Independence Pass to Lincoln Creek Road. Turn right and drive 6.3 miles on the dirt road to Grizzly Reservoir. The trailhead is on the left of the red buildings of the back country work camp. If you have never driven highway 82 out of Aspen, be prepared to dodge the ubiquitous Porsches that seems to barrel down the road driven by the crazed "locals" who pop in for the weekend on their private jets. In several places the road narrows precipitously and only one car can pass at a time. Recently, there has been quite an issue with commercial trucks who are prohibited from taking the road, but who do so anyway. Big truck + narrow road + expensive car = really bad day.

At the lake

Heading back down as the weather cleared

Chihuahua Lake

Distance: 8.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,460 ft - 12,282 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,822 ft
Dogs: Off leash
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Tags: #coloradooutdoors, #hiking, #mountainlake
Nearby hikes: Lenawee, Argentine Pass

The deep blue waters of Chihuahua Lake

Chihuahua Lake near Keystone, CO in Summit County is a large glacial tarn nestled at the base of Grizzly Peak. The trail to the lake is not for soft paws however, being very rocky and filled with deep water crossings even in late summer. Additionally, the last pitch to the lake is a steep rock scramble requiring both agility and perseverance. The reward for those strong enough is a stunning view of the back side of Grays and Torreys and a pristine lake filled with deep indigo waters.

Heading up the lower portion of the jeep road

Passing a large boulder field

The first 2.7 miles of the trail follows Forest Service Road 263 and you will not be alone on this segment. I was quite surprised at the number of vehicles that passed us both coming and going because this is a road only for the hardiest of drivers. Because of this traffic, the road is very rocky and rutted which makes for a jarring experience.

First stream crossing. This plank leads to a round log half way across. 

This road crosses Chihuahua Creek twice (at 1.2 and 2.0 miles) and in both cases, the water is deep, even in late summer. After seeing the extent of the beaver activity throughout the valley, I doubt the creek ever dries out. Water shoes and a pole are a must unless you don't mind wet feet. At the lower crossing, someone had tried to put a plank across to a large fallen log in an improvised bridge, but this structure will not survive next spring's run off. At the upper crossing, there were a few rocks that the more nimble were able to navigate. I found myself slipping off them into the water anyway.

Rutted section of the jeep road

In addition to these stream crossings, there are several places where the road itself is habitually flooded. Short social trails into the willows avoid the deepest areas but others require more slogging through bogs.

Gray and Torreys comes into view

At 2.7 miles the jeep road ends at a small parking area with a wooden fence and small sign pointing upwards. Technically, this is the start of the trail, but only true 4x4s can make it to this point. For the next half mile, the trail struggles relentlessly upwards on a steep and highly eroded path reminiscent of an approach to a 14er. This segment ends at a narrow tundra shelf surrounded on both sides by barren peaks.

Soggy section

Saddle between Grizzly  and Torres Peaks

The trail continues eastward along this shelf before turning sharply upwards on the last scramble to the lake. As you approach this area, it is difficult to tell where to leave the flat and head upwards. Several narrow, eroded drainages pour down the hillside and look like a trails. Fortunately, two people were ahead of us and we followed them to the far eastern side of the valley where the grade is less vertical. Careful scouting will reveal the route that is mostly over scree but occasionally dirt. The last 100 yards is very steep, often requiring the use of hands to pull oneself upwards. Anyone with moderate fitness can navigate this section without difficulty if they take care to keep from sliding down in the loose dirt.

Trail sign and wooden fence

Heading up rocky segment to final shelf

After the scramble, the trail continues upwards for another quarter mile before cresting on a high cliff overlooking the lake. A journey down to the water requires additional scrambling down a passable gully.

Looking back down the valley and beaver ponds below

Torreys and Grays are even closer now

Chihuahua Lake has been on my do list for a long time. I never seemed to be around at the end of the season when I had assumed the water crossings would be more manageable. Now I know that they will most likely always be there, so you just have to plan accordingly. The obstacles, while annoying, are not particularly difficult to surmount and the views of Grays and Torreys are something to behold. The saddle between Grizzly Peak and Torreys is so small and easily scaled that it makes you want to run up to the summit and down again in a fit of joy.

On the final pitch before the lake

Chihuahua Lake

To get to the trailhead, take exit 205 off of I-70 (Silverthorne/Dillon) and travel east on highway 6 toward Keystone. Just past Keystone, turn right onto Montezuma Road (County Road 5). Follow Montezuma Road for approximately 4.6 miles and turn left onto Peru Creek Road (FSR 260). Follow Peru Creek Road for approximately 2.1 miles and park along the side. The only marker that you have reached the parking area is a small brown sign on the road to the left with the number 261 on it. Other cars will be your biggest clue. Peru Creek road is passable with a passenger car to this point but can be rutted and full of washboards.