Chalk Lake

Chalk Lake is a 4.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Holy Cross Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 11,100 feet to a high point of 11,455 feet, with a total elevation gain of 355 feet. It is a moderate route, and the trail surface is natural, so plan on a walk that stays on foot rather than on a developed path. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Climax weather station show July highs around 67°F with lows near 40°F, and snow is common from November through April. The station sits at nearly the same elevation as the trail, so those figures are a fair guide to what to expect on the route. The trail is open year-round, and it is open to both horses and bikes. Alpine Rock, a climbing area, is about 1.5 miles away, and Bartlett Mountain is about 2.2 miles off. Camp Hale East Fork Group Campground is about 4.8 miles away, and the East Fork Arkansas River offers paddling about 5.8 miles from the trail.