Colorado · Hiking · Holy Cross Wilderness · Near Leadville

Whitney Lake

5.2 mi
round trip
1,802 ft
climb
10,968 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Whitney 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.

Whitney Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Holy Cross Wilderness, part of the Holy Cross Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs about 5 miles round trip, with a total elevation gain of about 1,800 feet. The route starts at a low point of about 9,100 feet and climbs to a high of about 10,968 feet. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. 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. Gold Park Campground is about 2 miles away, and Whitney Peak is about 2.4 miles away. Homestake Creek, a canoeing spot, is about a mile off, and Missouri Lakes offers river fishing about 3.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Gold Park Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Hot Heads Chicken

    Fast food

    On your way back · 13 mi · Open after 6

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 Whitney 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, 12.8 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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