Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville

Lyle Lake

5.8 mi
round trip
882 ft
climb
11,656 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Lyle 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.

Lyle Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Sopris Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest, about 5.8 miles long with a one-way elevation gain of 882 feet. The trail starts at the Lyle Lake Trailhead, which also serves as the parking area, and it is managed by the Forest Service. The route climbs from a low point of about 10,724 feet to a high point of about 11,656 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses, and bikes are not permitted. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Climax, Colorado, run from highs around 67°F in July to 61°F in June, with snow days dropping to about two a month in June and none in July and August. Winter is cold and snowy, with highs near 27°F and 15 snow days a month in January. Several other destinations sit within a few miles. The Hell's Gate/Hagerman Pass climbing area is about a mile away, and the Lily Pad Lake and Granite Lake hikes are within 3.5 miles. Paddlers can reach the Fryingpan River about 3.5 miles out.

Around this trail

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

    May Queen

    Campground

    Campground · 5.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    La Mina Tacos Y Mariscos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Craig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Lyle 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, 18.8 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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