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A gradual climb to Avalanche Lake - a stunning destination deep in the Elk Mountains.


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Map Key

21.3

Miles

34.4

KM

87%

Runnable

10,706' 3,263 m

High

7,375' 2,248 m

Low

3,834' 1,169 m

Up

3,834' 1,169 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

49%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This is a highly worthy trail experience, particularly if you can make it the entire way up to Avalanche Lake. Don't expect the most buff surface, but only a few shorter steep sections & decent trail quality keep this outing moderate.

Runner Notes

Almost entirely runnable, but expect moderate to heavy horse and human traffic during the peak months of summer.

Description

Avalanche Lake Trail (#1959) begins from the parking lot and ascends through aspen groves, intersecting with the Hell Roaring Trail after about 2.5 miles. Keep straight here as the trail crosses Hell Roaring Creek (may be dry late in the season) before descending a few hundred vertical toward Avalanche Creek. If you are going out and back, pace accordingly as climbing back out of here can be a bit of a grind.

After 5 miles, the trail crosses a beautiful meadow called Duley Park before entering groves of ginormous aspens. After another 2 miles or so, look for the intersection with East Creek Trail.

Keep straight, preparing for a notably steep but beautiful segment to the intersection with Capitol Creek Trail after 10 miles. Stay right and you'll arrive on the shores of the stunning Avalanche Lake.

Flora & Fauna

Wildflowers will likely be going off during mid-summer on the upper half of the trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Smith

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 6 votes

#1

in Redstone

#4646

Overall
  3.5 from 6 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Redstone

#592

in Colorado

#4,646

Overall
12 Views Last Month
11,373 Since Mar 24, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Bad omen? I hope not.
Feb 2, 2018 near Snowmas…, CO
A thick undergrowth.
Feb 2, 2018 near Carbondale, CO
We ran Avalanche Creek to Avalanche Lake as an out and back. Here's a shot from the way back.
Apr 2, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
It's tough to find negatives about the view at Avalanche Lake....except maybe that at some point you have to run back 10+ miles.
Apr 2, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
Vegetation on sides of trail grows taller as you go further - face height within the next mile.
Aug 21, 2019 near Snowmas…, CO
Where the bridge is out.
Aug 21, 2019 near Snowmas…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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