<p>The Blue Lakes Trail in Colorado is one of our all time favorite day hikes!</p>
<p>This is a moderate hike that takes you to an alpine lake with perfect turquoise water, and then a crystal clear middle lake and upper lake surrounded by impressive peaks.</p>
<p>You can do this hike on a day trip from Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride, or other popular areas in Colorado, and it doesn&rsquo;t require too much driving from any of those areas.</p>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">This guide will explain every aspect of the Blue Lakes hike, from the trailhead all the way to the upper lake!</p>
<div id="attachment_38789" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38789 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="blue lake colorado lower blue lake from above blue lakes trail hike" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38789" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9059-2-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="6">
<p id="caption-attachment-38789" class="wp-caption-text">The Colorado blue lake from above.</p>
</div>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true"><br>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><span id="Quick_Facts"><strong>Quick Facts</strong></span></h2>
<ul data-slot-rendered-content="true">
<li><strong>Distance:</strong>&nbsp;7 &ndash; 11 miles (10 &ndash; 18 km) round trip</li>
<li><strong>Elevation:</strong>&nbsp;9,350 &ndash; 13,000 feet (2,850 &ndash; 3,950 m)</li>
<li><strong>Elevation Gain:</strong>&nbsp;1,600 &ndash; 3,650 feet (500 &ndash; 1,100 m)</li>
<li><strong>Duration:</strong>&nbsp;3 &ndash; 8 hours round trip</li>
<li><strong>Difficulty:</strong>&nbsp;Moderate / Hard</li>
</ul>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_2_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_38796" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38796 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="Blue Lake Colorado Lower Blue Lakes Trail Ridgway" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38796" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9189-4-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="0">
<p id="caption-attachment-38796" class="wp-caption-text">Views from the southwest side of Lower Blue Lake Colorado</p>
</div>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true"><br>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><span id="Blue_Lakes_Trail_What_To_Expect"><strong>Blue Lakes Trail: What To Expect</strong></span></h2>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">The Blue Lakes Trail in Colorado takes you to 3 different lakes and a scenic mountain pass. Most people only go to the lower blue lake.</p>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_3_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p>This is a very popular trail for day hikers and also backpackers, so weekdays are best if you want to avoid the crowds. Lots of people camp at the lower blue lake on summer weekends.</p>
<p>The difficulty of the hike depends on how far you go. I&rsquo;d say it&rsquo;s moderate to the first lake (and also dog friendly), but strenuous if you go to the second or third lake. Bring lots of water and snacks.</p>
<p>The sections below will explain each part of the Blue Lakes Trail and what to expect. The entire hike is so worth it!</p>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true"><img class="penci-lazy alignnone size-full wp-image-38800 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9096.jpg" alt="Colorado mountain lake" width="375" height="600" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9096.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9096.jpg" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img class="penci-lazy alignnone size-full wp-image-38801 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9124.jpg" alt="Colorado mountain lake" width="375" height="600" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9124.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9124.jpg" data-ll-status="loaded"></p>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_4_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p><img class="penci-lazy alignnone size-full wp-image-38799 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9017.jpg" alt="Colorado mountain lake" width="375" height="600" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9017.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9017.jpg" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img class="penci-lazy alignnone size-full wp-image-38798 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8986.jpg" alt="Colorado mountain lake" width="375" height="600" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8986.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8986.jpg" data-ll-status="loaded"><br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><span id="Trailhead_To_Lower_Blue_Lake_Colorado_Part_1_of_4"><strong>&bull; Trailhead To Lower Blue Lake Colorado (Part 1 of 4)</strong></span></h3>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true"><strong>Distance:</strong>&nbsp;3.5 miles<br><strong>Elevation Gain:</strong>&nbsp;1,600 feet<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;1.5 &ndash; 2 hours</p>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_5_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p>The Blue Lakes Trail starts out like most great Colorado hikes: a slow, steady climb through pine forests and meadows with the occasional distant mountain views.</p>
<p>Things start to open up after the first hour of hiking, and then when you&rsquo;re almost to the first lake you&rsquo;ll see a nice waterfall on your left.</p>
<p>The first lake is called lower blue lake and it&rsquo;s absolutely unreal, with perfect clear turquoise water surrounded by mountain peaks. It has to be the most perfect blue lake Colorado has to offer!</p>
<p>Take some time to walk around the lower lake and see it from all angles. We spent hours taking photos here after the sun came up, and you can also swim in the lake, although the water might be chilly.</p>
<p>The turquoise hues of the lake are just as impressive as what you see in pictures, although sunlight makes a big difference. On an overcast day, or early in the morning before the sun hits the lake, the colors aren&rsquo;t as bright.</p>
<p>The photos you see on this page were taken on a mid-August morning and don&rsquo;t have any photoshopping or saturation added!</p>
<div id="attachment_38724" class="wp-caption alignnone" data-slot-rendered-content="true"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38724 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="mountains hiking path" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38724" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8706-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="5">
<p id="caption-attachment-38724" class="wp-caption-text">Early mountain views</p>
</div>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_6_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<div id="attachment_38781" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38781 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="mountains hiking path" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38781" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9252-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="3">
<p id="caption-attachment-38781" class="wp-caption-text">Getting closer</p>
</div>
<div id="attachment_38725" class="wp-caption alignnone" data-slot-rendered-content="true"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38725 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="hiking path" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38725" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8712-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="4">
<p id="caption-attachment-38725" class="wp-caption-text">A quiet forest path</p>
</div>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_7_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<div id="attachment_38741" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38741 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="Blue Lake Colorado Lower Blue Lakes Trail Ridgway" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38741" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9224-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="7">
<p id="caption-attachment-38741" class="wp-caption-text">Surrounded by color at the lower blue lake!</p>
</div>
<div id="attachment_38740" class="wp-caption alignnone" data-slot-rendered-content="true"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38740 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="Blue Lake Colorado Lower Blue Lakes Trail Ridgway" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38740" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF9219-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="8">
<p id="caption-attachment-38740" class="wp-caption-text">One of my favorite views on the trail</p>
</div>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_8_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_38727" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="penci-lazy size-full wp-image-38727 lazyloaded pcloaded" src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-263x175.jpg 263w" alt="lake blue color colorado lower blue lakes trail" width="900" height="600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38727" data-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739.jpg" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://theworldtravelguy.com/blue-lakes-trail-colorado/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Blue Lakes Trail In Colorado: A Complete Guide" data-jpibfi-src="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739.jpg" data-srcset="https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739.jpg 900w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-300x200.jpg 300w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-768x512.jpg 768w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-585x390.jpg 585w, https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSCF8739-263x175.jpg 263w" data-ll-status="loaded" data-jpibfi-indexer="9">
<p id="caption-attachment-38727" class="wp-caption-text">The perfect teal hues of the Colorado blue lake</p>
</div>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true"><br>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><span id="Lower_Blue_Lake_To_Middle_Blue_Lake_Part_2_of_4"><strong>&bull; Lower Blue Lake To Middle Blue Lake (Part 2 of 4)</strong></span></h3>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true"><strong>Distance:</strong>&nbsp;0.7 miles<br><strong>Elevation Gain:</strong>&nbsp;650 feet<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;30 &ndash; 45 minutes</p>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_9_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p>After you&rsquo;ve admired the glassy shores of the lower blue lake, you have to see how it looks from above! Plus, there are two more lakes waiting to be discovered on the same trail.</p>
<p>Go back to the wooden sign that marks the junction between lower and upper blue lakes, and turn left from where you first came in. There&rsquo;s a small creek you&rsquo;ll have to cross, but there are generally enough rocks and logs to do it without getting wet.</p>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">After crossing the creek, the path is unmarked and a little confusing. You need to head northeast up the slope of the rocky basin, and there are lots of paths that all converge in the same direction. Follow any of these and you should be okay.</p>
<div class="mv-ad-box" data-slotid="content_10_btf" data-gyg-scraped="1733418156167">&nbsp;</div>
<p>The climb to the second (middle) lake is a steeper grade compared to the first part of the hike, but you get amazing views of the first lake from above, and lots of wildflowers along the way (in mid-July to mid-August).</p>
<p>The middle lake is the smallest of the three, and it doesn&rsquo;t have the turquoise color of the lower lake, but instead seems to change from green to a dark blue color as you walk higher above the lake.</p>