Colorado · Hiking · Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

Avalanche Lake

0.4 mi
round trip
68 ft
climb
10,738 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Avalanche Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Avalanche Lake is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Colorado's Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, within the Sopris Ranger District of the White River National Forest. The trail is about 0.35 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 68 feet, and it sits at an elevation of roughly 10,700 feet, with the high point at 10,738 feet. The nearest town is Crystal, about 6 miles away. The route is natural-surface and rated easy. Horses are allowed, and bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Taylor Park show July highs around 72°F with lows near 42°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and low 30s. Nearby, Capitol Creek is about 0.8 miles away and the Capitol Peak Route about 1.7 miles. For climbing, the Carbondale Area is about 4.5 miles off, and Marble RV Park and Campground is about 7.1 miles away.

Go with a guide