Lake City Switchbacks. Adventure at Every Turn in Lake City, Colorado.
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Hiking Trails Near Lake City, Colorado

The San Juan Mountains were created by volcanoes, resulting in a tumultuous landscape that has been slightly tempered by glaciers over the millennia.

Some of these jagged mountains reach over 14,000 feet in elevation.  Known as fourteeners, there are six of these peaks near Lake City.

Many trails in the area are several miles in length, but don't let this discourage you.  Shorter, up-and-back day trips on the same routes are just as rewarding as longer, overnight backpacking excursions.

Using the Map Below:
Using control buttons in the upper left corner, press the + button to zoom in for greater detail.  To move the map over, hold the right mouse button while moving the mouse over the map.  Use buttons in the upper right corner to change the view from map to satellite view.

Mountain Safety

Mountaineering and backcountry hiking can be dangerous.  Please read more about  at 14ers.com, where you'll find helpful information about hiking in the mountains of Colorado.

Always check on conditions before heading out.

Don't forget to Tread Lightly.


View in a larger map

Hiking Trails in the Lake City, Colorado Area

Distances are one-way.  Be sure to use a good quality terrain map for your trip.

Picture
Alpine Trail
National Forest Trail 225
18 miles one way


Picture
Big Blue Creek Trail
National Forest Trail 232
11 miles one way


Picture
Ridge Stock Driveway
National Forest Trail 233
25.3 miles one way

Picture
Devils Creek Trail
6.8 miles one way


Picture
Independence Gulch Trail
National Forest Trail 234
2.6 miles one way


Picture
Trailhead for two trails are at this location:

Crystal Lake Trail
National Forest Trail 235
10.2 miles one way


Thompson Lake & Larsen Lakes Trail
National Forest Trail 236
6.2 miles one way

Picture
Waterdog Lake Trail
BLM Trail 3317
3.8 miles one way


Picture
Alpine Gulch to Williams Creek Trail
BLM Trail T3301
13.5 miles one way



Picture
Uncompahgre Peak Trail
National Forest Trail 239
3.6 miles one way
More trail information

Picture
Wetterhorn Peak Trail
National Forest Trail 233
3.75 miles one way
More trail information

Picture
Redcloud & Sunshine Peaks
BLM Trail 3312
6 miles one way
More trail information

Picture
Handies Peak via Grizzly Gulch
4.2 miles one way
More trail information

Picture
Cooper Creek Trail
BLM Trail 3313
3.7 miles one way

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Handies Peak via American Basin
BLM Trail 3314 
2.75 miles one way
More trail information

Picture
Cuba Gulch Trail
National Forest Trail 477
3.25 miles one way


Picture
Cataract Gulch Trail
BLM Trail T3318.
4.1 miles


Picture
Camp Trail
National Forest Trail 476
5.4 miles one way


Picture
Canyon Infierno to Devils Lake
National Forest Trail 461 to 457
6.3 miles one way

Picture
Rough Creek Trail
National Forest Trail 463
6.8 miles one way

Picture
Continental Divide Trail & Colorado Trail
Segments 21, 22, 23 are nearest Lake City


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