Colorado · Hiking · Near Clifton

Lost Lake

Lost LakePhoto: halseike, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.0 mi
round trip
225 ft
climb
10,118 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Lost Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Lost Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lost Lake is an easy out-and-back hike in Colorado's Grand Valley Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is about 2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 225 feet, and it starts at the Glacier Spring Trailhead, which is the parking for the trip. The route rises from a low point of about 9,882 feet to a high of about 10,118 feet. It is a short, low-effort walk, and the trail surface is natural. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 68°F with lows near 42°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-20s. The trail is open from July 1 to September 30. Spruce Grove Campground and Jumbo Campground are both about 0.6 miles away, and the Mesa Lake Shore hike is just 0.2 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Spruce Grove Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Slopeside cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 4 mi

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

More in Clifton

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Lost Lake

    Best months: June–September. 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

      26° / 6°

    2. Feb

      27° / 4°

    3. Mar

      34° / 12°

    4. Apr

      40° / 17°

    5. May

      49° / 27°

    6. Jun

      62° / 37°

    7. Jul

      68° / 42°

    8. Aug

      64° / 40°

    9. Sep

      57° / 34°

    10. Oct

      45° / 24°

    11. Nov

      34° / 14°

    12. Dec

      26° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bonham Rsvr, CO, 11 mi away at 9,852 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Mesa Lake ShorePhoto: halseike, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mesa Lake Shore

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LionsPhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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