Ice Lake Trailhead — Attraction in Telluride

Amazing hike. July and August parking can be tough. Monday - Wednesday are okay/best bet but if you show up after 7 AM regardless parking is near impossible. We arrived at 6:15 AM and there were a handful of spots. Lot remains full overnight because hikers camp off trail overnight.

My wife and I live in Pagosa Springs and hike a lot and we found this hike to be hard but worth every step. The views are amazing the whole way and wild flowers right now are in full bloom.

At the “Y” split we went right “counter clockwise”. This takes you to Island Lake. It is the shorter of the 2 options but steeper. From Island Lake we hiked over to Ice Lake. It is mostly down from this point and there are 2 sections that are narrow, steep, and slick - take your time. Basically by hitting Island Lake first and the steeps - we paid the price upfront.

Ice Lake is gorgeous and the decent from there can be crowded as you head down and other hikers head up. We thought the Ice Lake portion of the trail, the final accent after you cross the last stream had way more loose rock than the Island Lake trail.

We did see a lot of hikers that appeared unprepared. No water packs (you should have at a minimum of 2 liters/person), rain gear, good hiking shoes, food, and such. You really need to be prepared as we experienced sun, clouds, cold wind, rain, and thunder and lightning. We were on the hike/mountain for 5+ hours.

It is amazing! One of CO’s best, if not the best, Alpine Hike...

Beautiful trail, now one of our favorite hikes. The views for most of the hike are beautiful. If you're going to the lakes, make a left at the fork and go clockwise. If you do so, the incline will be gradual. If you go to the right, the incline will be painful and more steep for a long stretch. The views are also better if you go to the left. While you're walking uphill, it's always nice to be able to stop and see a beautiful view around you, but the view isn't as good if you're walking counter clockwise.

The lakes are beautiful and different. There is mud between the two lakes, and maybe a bit before/after (depending on which way you come from) the island lake.

We got to the parking lot (outside of peak season) at 7am and there were already several cars there. By 7:30, all of the spots were taken. By the time we got back from the hike, there were cars crammed into every little spot you could think of, and parked down the street. Get here early or you might be fighting for parking.

Either way, this hike is 100% worth it.

There is a pit toilet at the trailhead.

You will see lots of dogs on this trail, and several of them will...

I hiked this trail in late August 2018, just as the wildflower bloom was ending in the Ice Lake Basin. The trail begins with switchbacks through forested areas, but as you reach the tree line, you are greeted with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys. The final ascent up to Ice Lake is the real doozey, and it was here that I realized that I should have brought more water. Thankfully I was blessed with a beautiful day, so often stopped to simultaneously take in the views and catch my breath. I will say, I contemplated turning around multiple times but I am glad I persevered. I wasn't experiencing muscular fatigue, but difficulties due to altitude. My friends, who live at over a mile above sea level, zoomed up the final ascent. I was surprised by much the altitude seemingly affected me. With more water, I'm convinced I would have been fine.

The views of the lakes, which by now you have likely seen in various photos, are spectacular. Regarding Ice Lake, I have never seen water this blue in my life. It isn't turquoise like Caribbean waters, but a deep blue that you must...