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Lower Crystal Lake

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Lower Crystal Lake

Hiking

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  • Location: Summit County, Colorado, United States

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    Tips

    August 20, 2025

    Hiking

    Lower Crystal Lake is a great destination for hiking – if you have a capable car (high-clearance, 4WD) then you can even drive all the way to this place. The alpine lake is home to cutthroat trout. Pikas, moose, deer and marmots roam the area around it. The lake is not located in a National Park, but in the White River National Forest.

    July 11, 2023

    Hiking

    Amazing view of Lower Crystal Lake as it is nestled inside a half bowl of Father Dyer Peak and Mount Helen. You can fish at the lake and spot moose, elk, and smaller mammals. You are allowed to camp here, but must follow National Park regulations.
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    Nearby routes

    Best routes near Lower Crystal Lake

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    1

    hikers

    #1.

    Mohawk Lake to Pacific Peak and Crystal Peak

    20.4km

    07:09

    1,160m

    1,120m

    The Mohawk Lake to Pacific Peak and Crystal Peak trail offers a journey through diverse and stunning alpine scenery in Summit County. You'll start in lush forests, follow Spruce Creek past waterfalls, and then ascend to the beautiful Lower and Upper Mohawk Lakes, nestled against dramatic mountain walls. Beyond the lakes, the route becomes a true high-alpine experience, traversing rocky gullies and scree slopes to reach the expansive views from Pacific Peak and Crystal Peak.

    This is a difficult 12.6-mile (20.4 km) hike with 3821 feet (1165 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 7 hours and 9 minutes. The trail is accessed via the Spruce Creek Trailhead near Breckenridge. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather, especially above treeline, and ensure you have sturdy hiking boots and good route-finding skills for the upper sections.

    Beyond the natural beauty, the trail is rich in history, with ruins from the Mayflower Gold Mine dotting the landscape, including old cabins and mine shafts. You might also spot wildlife like deer, elk, or even mountain goats in the higher elevations. The opportunity to reach Pacific Tarn, the highest named lake in the United States, adds another unique highlight to this challenging adventure.

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    Hard
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    Hike the moderate 1.7-mile Lower Crystal Lake Trail in White River National Forest, gaining 1065 feet to an alpine lake with peak views.

    Moderate
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    The Ten Mile Peak to Peak (Tenmile Range Traverse) is a difficult 20.7-mile hike in Colorado, offering extreme high-alpine scrambling.

    Hard

    Details

    Informations

    Elevation 3,660 m

    Weather

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    Today

    Wednesday 19 August

    14°C

    4°C

    60 %

    Additional weather tips

    Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

    Location: Summit County, Colorado, United States

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    View of the Tenmile Range

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