Is the Ice Lake Hike Worth it?

August 9, 2020
By foxintheforest

Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by foxintheforest

Toutes as one of the best hikes in Colorado, Ice Lake Colorado features some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful mountain scenery you could possibly imagine.

Seriously, the red mountain tops, Kool-Aid blue lakes, and brilliant wildflowers create a mountain scene straight out of your wildest dreams. Hiking to the Ice Lake Basin in Colorado is no easy task, but with a little effort, you can immerse yourself in this iconic Colorado hike.

But – fair warning here – the people make this hike somewhat disappointing. We were here at 5:30 am on a weekend and hardly got parking. Folks littered all over the trail and didn’t care. We saw people camping illegally. We even encountered human poop on the trail. Not to mention, I saw un-prepared people struggle far from their vehicles. The list goes on.

I was left in awe at the beauty, but just as disappointed by the strangers I encountered on the trail. So on the one hand, I don’t want to deter you from coming here. But on the other hand, this isn’t what hiking in Colorado should be about.

So here’s a real, honest look at the hiking Ice and Island Lakes.

Hot Take: Hiking Ice Lake Might Not Be Worth It

To be totally frank here, you’re going to hike with thousands of other people to this location. It’s been over-loved throughout the years. I saw so many people littering, using drones, camping illegally, there was human poop on the trail, and people were acting like assholes.

I’m really torn about the hike. On the one hand, it is INSANELY beautiful. But on the other hand, the people completely ruined this experience.

I would weigh if this is a worthwhile experience for you. For me, I’m glad I did it once, but I’m not sure I can recommend it to anyone else. However, its beauty is pretty legendary.

Here’s my hot take on hiking Ice Lake.

Practical Information about Ice Lake, Colorado

Before you head out on any hike, it’s important to be informed. This amazing hiking trail has one major route that winds it’s way up a series of steep hills until reaching the famous Ice Lake.

There are options to hike above to nearby Island Lake (about 30 minutes further, round trip) and there is an upper Ice Lake as well.

Keep in mind, Ice Lake Colorado is not only one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado, but it’s also one of the most popular destinations in the state. This trail sees quite a bit of use and there is usually a ranger around on weekends.

Since it’s so popular, be prepared to start early, like before 6 am early, if you want to find parking anywhere remotely close to the trailhead.

Remember this trail is tough (but not impossible) and the area is prone to afternoon thunderstorms during the summer months. An early start lets you beat the storms and hike the butt-busting uphill in cooler temperatures.

Local Tip: You are not supposed to park in the meadow or along the road and risk getting ticketed, so if you arrive late, wait for a parking spot or enjoy another hike in the area such as Highland Mary Lakes or Columbine Lake.

Here’s a look at some key facts about the hike:

Round-Trip Distance: 6.2 miles, 7.2 miles to include Island Lake and 8.2 miles to include Upper Ice Lake
Elevation Gain: 2,400-ish vertical feet to Ice Lake, 2,670 feet to Island Lake, and 2,700 feet to Upper Ice Lake
Difficulty: Difficult
Starting Elevation: 9,840 feet
Highest Point: 12,270 at Ice Lake and 12,392 at Island Lake
Estimated Time: 4 hours plus stops for breaks, 3 hours if you are used to big elevation gains.
Dogs Allowed? Yes, on leash
Restrictions: You cannot camp at the lakes. You must bring human waste disposal bags and pack out human waste.

Where is the Ice Lake Trailhead?

You’ll find the start to this Colorado gem at the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest.

To reach the trailhead (from Ouray), head south out of town on US-550 or the Million Dollar Highway. This extremely scenic road is worth a trip in its own right, so plan some time to check out the sites on the way back from your hike.

After several miles, you’ll drop towards Mineral Creek. Make a sharp right on Forest Road 7 (dirt). Continue down the road until it terminates at the trailhead. A 2WD vehicle can easily make it to the trailhead.

How Hard is the Hike to Ice Lake Basin?

As far as hikes go, Ice Lake Basin is fairly difficult. The trail immediately heads uphill, unrelentingly, until you reach a big, wide valley. You’ve done about half of the elevation gain, and this is not the steepest part of the hike.

Once you’re in the wonderful, wildflower-studded meadow, your next big obstacle is the steep hill in front of you. This one is really killer and will certainly have you sucking in air.

We saw a lot of people here who were out of water and ill prepared. There’s no shade and the mountain sun isn’t kind.

Folks who regularly hike 14ers and indulge in type 2 fun will find this hike to be challenging, but not too tough. Our group is well-seasoned and we ran part of this hike.

The trail itself is well-maintained and marked. There are a few rocky sections, but nothing super strenuous or exposed.

What to Expect

After reaching the trailhead, sign the register and immediately head uphill. You can’t see too much beautiful scenery quite yet.

Keep on the main trail (there are a couple of spurs that act as a shortcut to Island Lake, but don’t worry about them) and head up! You’ll continue to crawl along an endless sea of switchbacks and forest, but the views improve I promise.

After roughly 2.5 miles you’ll pop up onto a gorgeous high alpine meadow with a series of streams running through it. Throughout much of summer, you can spot waterfalls on the nearby cliffsides.

Make your way through the wildflowers (anyone else singing the Sound of Music yet?) until you cross a stream. There is no bridge, so take your time stepping over the rocks.

Next up, you’ll see a gigantic hill. Okay, so maybe it’s a mountain, but so what? Your goal is to gain the ridge. The trail doubles in steepness and winds its way up switchbacks for another half mile.

Ice lake colorado hike — The final push to the top!

This is the real butt-buster – gaining over 1,000 feet a mile is no joke, so be sure to take your time. Don’t worry, unlike the last big push, there is plenty of unbelievable mountain scenery to distract you.

After you gain the ridge, you’ll be just steps away from Ice Lake if you continue straight. At Ice Lake, you’ll be treated to a delightful cirque of 13,000-foot peaks. A fork out to the right by a large boulder leads up to Island Lake, just as beautiful and a fraction of the crowds.

Head towards Island Lake and stop at Ice Lake on the way back down if you want to get the uphill grind finished. It’s about another 15 minutes of uphill to reach Island Lake.

Backpacking Ice Lake Basin

Backpacking to Ice Lake Basin has become a popular destination.

However, given the number of people who day hike this trail, I actually wouldn’t recommend backpacking it. Instead, check out some of the other (far more worth it) amazing backpacking trails in Colorado.

There are a few reasons for this. First, you are not allowed to pitch a tent at Ice Lake or Island Lake.

We saw COUNTLESS people doing this anyway, and it was truly unfortunate. The fragile alpin ground was trampled by tent spots. And there was backpacker trash strewn about.

You should always be at least 200 feet from a water source, and this place is swarming with people, so don’t expect to have a camp to yourself.

Secondly, the lake looks the bluest during a sunny day. This means that the lake actually looks less blue as the sun sets and better during the busier parts of the day.

If you do choose to backpack, pitch your tent in the beautiful meadow below the final push to Ice Lake. There is ample, stunning camping in the meadow.

Also, you’re required to pack out all of your human waste using Wag Bags, so if you aren’t comfortable pooping in a bag, just day hike this wonderful spot.

Nearby Camping

If you’re looking for a spot to car camp near Ice Lake Basin there are ample choices in the San Juans. Along Forest Road 7 you’ll find four or five different campgrounds (first-come-first-serve) with basic amenities such as fire rings and a vault toilet.

People are also camped all over the road here. This isn’t really allowed. In fact, you should avoid camping within 200 feet of the river or water source, and you shouldn’t trample vegetation for camping.

It was really disheartening to see so much bad behavior here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the area became permitted and rather strict in the coming years.

Do your part to follow the rules and visit responsibly so everyone can enjoy this gorgeous landscape.

When is the Best Time to Hike?

Both Island and Ice Lakes remain frozen for much of June, although late June might be nice depending on the snow year.

July and August are the best seasons to hike for wildflowers. We hiked in July and I can understand the appeal. The landscape was utterly mesmerizing. But it was completely mobbed with people, even with an early start.

September and October are less crowded, but the drama of the contrasting greens, blues, and red-stained peaks is a little lost.

The Million Dollar Highway is one of the most dangerous roads for avalanches and is not advisable to drive on between November and mid-April. Snow is still abundant in May.

Safety Tips for Hiking In Colorado

When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are a few key things to know. Here are a few tips to help your Ice Lake hike be a little more enjoyable.

Always practice Leave No Trace. This area sees heavy use, so do your part to leave it better than you found it.
Don’t step off the trail. If the trail is muddy, walk through the mud, if there are people, keep on the trail to let them pass. The erosion on this trail is pretty real and it ruins the nearby landscape, so take care to stay on the trail.
Don’t swim in the lake. Again, a lot of bad behavior here, but the lake will lose its color from the oils, sunscreen, bug spray, and what-have-you on your skin.
Pack out your human waste. This is a requirement for visiting this area.
Start early! There is a serious lightning risk on the trail so plan your hike to be back in the trees by noon to avoid pesky thunderstorms.
Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection. There isn’t much shade on this hike. You can certainly filter water, but if you don’t have a filter, you’ll want at least 2 liters (bring an extra liter for the car too).

Nearby Attractions and Post-Hike Eats

After your hike, head to Ouray or Silverton to enjoy a little mountain town magic. Take your time returning to Ouray and stop at one of the many scenic overlooks along the Million Dollar Highway.

Some of my favorite spots to grab some food in Ouray include:

Thai Chili Ouray
Maggies Kitchen
BrickHouse 727
Red Mountain Brewing

Additional Colorado Hiking Resources

Wand more Colo-radical adventures? Check out these resources:

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Looking for one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado? Colorado is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, but this beautiful hike takes the cake! On this guide, I share everything you need to know to visit Ice Lake Colorado. #Colorado

It's no secret that Colorado is one of the best hiking destinations in the USA, but if you're looking for something extra special, this hike is just what you're after! On this guide, I share everything you need to know on one of the most amazing hikes in Colorado that you can't miss! #Colorado

Meg Atteberry

Meg is a long-time Colorado local and outdoor industry professional. She's spent the last 15 years hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and canyoneering all over Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada in search of the best views. She's written for Outside Magazine, REI, Backpacker Magazine, and appeared on the Weather Channel.