Colorado · Hiking · Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness · Near Leadville

Linkins Lake

Linkins LakePhoto: markbyzewski, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.9 mi
round trip
402 ft
climb
12,020 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Linkins Lake open right now?

Road closed

CO 82: road closure is listed as closed by CDOT 511 (3 listed).

  • CO 82: road closure

    Closed · ~0.2 km from Linkins Lake · CDOT 511

  • CO 82: Independence Pass

    Closed · ~1.6 km from Linkins Lake · CDOT 511

  • CO 82: road closure

    Closed · ~0.2 km from Linkins Lake · CDOT 511

  • FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions

    Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest

  • Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead

    Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest

As of · Source: CDOT 511. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Linkins Lake is an easy out-and-back hike of about 0.9 miles, rising 402 feet from a low point of 11,618 feet to a high of 12,020 feet. The trail runs on natural surface and is located in the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness, within the Aspen Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from the Climax, Colorado weather station, about 27 miles away, run around 67°F for highs and 40°F for lows, while winter brings highs in the mid-20s and frequent snow days. Instant Karma Cliff, a climbing area, sits about a mile away. Independence Pass Overlook and Twining Peak are both within about 2 miles, and Lost Man Campground is about 2.2 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Lost Man Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Two Mile Brewing

    Bar

    On your way back · 18 mi
  • If it rainsLongled, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Temple Israel

    Museum

    In town

    Historic frontier synagogue building

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Longled, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Linkins Lake

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    3. Mar

      35° / 8°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    4. Apr

      40° / 15°

      13 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      49° / 25°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    6. Jun

      61° / 34°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      67° / 40°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      64° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      58° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      47° / 21°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 11°

      12 wet · 12 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Climax, CO, 26.9 mi away at 11,344 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • CO 82: Independence Pass closed

      closed Oct 31, 2026, no reopening recorded · State DOT

    • CO 82: Independence Pass closed

      closed Oct 31, 2026 → reopened Oct 31, 2026 · State DOT

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Twining PeakPhoto: markbyzewski, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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~3 min drive

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HIKE

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~13 min drive

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