When Terry and Lori set off on a great adventure it can start at a Lake and end up at the Continental Divide. You have to be flexible when you are on a great adventure.
Last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we spent time in the Buena Vista area. One of our primary purposes was to find Turquoise Lake. On a previous adventure we somehow got the idea that we had to hike about 30 minutes to the lake. We were gathering wood that particular day so we put that in the ‘things to do another time’ file.
Well, that ‘another time’ was last Thursday. We set out relatively bright and early to find Turquoise Lake and hike to it if we had to. We didn’t have to. In fact, we haven’t a clue why we weren’t able to find it the first time, or if we really were anywhere close to Turquoise Lake.
Turquoise Lake sits deep in the forest west of Leadville. It gets its name from the turquoise mines that produced semi-precious stone in Leadville’s not-to-distant past. The lake was beautiful. It sits at an elevation of 10,000 feet, and claims to have great fishing.
Not last Thursday. We didn’t even get a nibble. That’s where the flexibility comes in. We turned our attention instead to the Colorado Trail #1776, very near the lake.
Colorado Trail #1776 goes for a long way. This segment of the trail is a 13-mile trek which crosses the Continental Divide.
It is a popular trailhead for winter recreationists and provides ample parking for the many snowmobilers who converge on the area. Weekend snowmobilers love to ride to the top of Cottonwood Pass and over the Continental Divide to Taylor Park.
Hikers generally use the area during the summer months as an access point for day hiking and backpacking trips into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness to the south via the Colorado Trail (#1776). The trail is
The trail is a moderate trail. One of the most interesting points we crossed was a boulder strewn area where you could hear water running toward Turquoise Lake but it is completely underground and you can’t see the water.
The part of the trail we completed contained three points where water was running toward the lake. There was lots of shade and only short distances where you were out in the sun.
There is no fee to use the trail and it is open yearround. The trail was not very busy. It does share a parking lot with a trail that circles Turquoise Lake.
There is a restroom at the trailhead but be sure to bring your own water.
From Buena Vista, travel west on County Road 306 for approximately 9 miles. The trailhead is located on the right side of the road. Watch for a sign on the right and turn into the paved parking area. The parking area will accommodate 30-40 vehicles.
The trail vacillates between 10,043 feet and 11,900 feet. It is part of the Holy Cross Wilderness and San Isabel National Forest.
We noticed the elevation but it was well worth the beautiful adventure.