Lower and Upper Chicago Lakes Hike near Idaho Springs---8.7 miles round trip, 1,972 elevation gain

This hike is located off of Exit 240 off of I-70 in Idaho Springs. About 10 miles South on Highway 103 will lead you to the Echo Lake trailhead. The Chicago Lake trailhead is clearly marked as you walk the perimeter of Echo Lake (when facing the lake, start walking right). There is clear signage that is hard to miss.

The Good: This hike is very close to Denver and is a wonderful retreat into wildnerness surrounding by 13,000 and 14,000 foot mountains. Mt. Evans Wildnerness is such a convenient gem for all of the Denverites who want to get away. The inital mile of the hike is breath-taking with a gorgeous view of Mt. Evans.

The Bad: The hike is in a shape of a bowl, meaning that you have to climb down to a road and then climb back up again to see the alpine lakes, all of this happens within about 5 miles. The hike to the upper lake climbs over a ridge that is quite challenging and the climb back to the car also takes some real grit.

The Beautiful:
This hike had some very unique gifts:A stunning view of Mt. Evans from the first mile, a beautiful upper alpine lake that gives you a gorgeous view of the lower lake and a home-made quirky labryinth in the middle of the trail. A perfect hike to get lost in for a day.
#chicagolakes #idahosprings #denver #alyssa #mtevans #echolake#labyrinth