Blue Lakes Trailhead

PARKING
The summer parking permit/shuttle system in place for the main Quandary Peak trailhead does NOT include the road to Blue Lakes. Hopefully we will continue to have free, unreserved access to this area. Colorado Springs Utilities, who owns the dam, has recently started gating the Blue Lakes road 3/4 mile below the dam but there is parking near the gate.

Location

RangeTenmile Range

Elevation11,700'

Lat/Lon39.38695, -106.09995

14ersQuandary Peak

Road Difficulty

2 2WD, rough dirt, good clearance

Rough 2WD dirt to the TH.

Driving Directions

From Breckenridge, drive 8 miles south on Colorado 9. On a sharp corner of Colorado 9, turn west onto the 850 road (Blue Lakes road). Continue on Blue Lakes road as it climbs west. Near 1.4 miles, if the gate is closed, you'll have to park in this area because Colorado Springs Utilities has closed the remaining road to the dam. Follow the road another 3/4 mile to reach the dam.

On-Site Info

ParkingAbout 20 cars can park at the gate near the lower lake. 12-15 cars can park at the dam, if the road is open that far.

CampingNo good camping spots in the area.

Restrooms?No

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Approximately 0.3 miles up the 850 road from the standard Quandary trailhead, you'll find parking for 8-10 vehicles at the winter closure.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


8/6/2023 Posted On: 8/8/2023 By: GaryBroome6 Info: Road is easy driving. Could get a Lambo to the lot. Road is still gated about .5 miles from the actual TH as mentioned in the reports from 2022. Not a bad little road walk. Arrived right around 8am on a Sunday and there was plenty of room. Returned to car around 3pm and it was about full but you could probably improvise some parking spaces. Saw maybe 20 goats throughout the day once on the the west ridge so other updates about them messing with your car could still apply.
6/20/2023 Posted On: 6/20/2023 By: Wildernessjane Info: Returned to Blue Lakes trailhead today to find 6-8 mountain goats chilling underneath our lifted 4WD van (many scratches and wires pulled out from their horns - we really need a skid plate). Just thought I would put out a warning to those of you with lifted vehicles.
5/17/2023 Posted On: 5/17/2023 By: amderr22 Info: I received confirmation that Blue Lakes will remain open without a shuttle or reservations for summer 2023. From Summit County Staff: "If hikers choose this route, they will not need a parking reservation, as Blue Lakes is not included in the parking and shuttle system." Happy climbing!
4/30/2023 Posted On: 4/30/2023 By: 14er101 Info: Closed about a half mile up from the Quandary Trailhead, 1.5 mile below the upper dam. Doesn't look like it is going to melt out for a good while.
11/25/2022 Posted On: 11/25/2022 By: daway8 Info: Road open 1.4mi past main trailhead, gated 0.6mi below Blue Lakes Trailhead. Could probably fit 30 vehicles or so if everyone parks efficiently. Be warned most of the road is hard packed snow - DON'T TRY THIS WITH BALD TIRES!!! Going up my Jeep Renegade was fine - coming down I crawled at about 5mph - not due to any actual issue, just concerned about going down steep snowy road. Start of trail definitely won't need snowshoes - can't tell about the valley beyond...		5
11/26/2021 Posted On: 11/27/2021 By: halfapackofapache Info: Road is open to lower lake. Puts you roughly 1/2 mile from the upper lake.
9/16/2021 Posted On: 9/16/2021 By: blazintoes Info: There is a sign at the gate closure that says no parking on the road or shoulder. Also if you check the fs.usda.gov website it confirms that parking is not allowed. See my Fletcher condition report for a screen shot from the website.
9/16/2021 Posted On: 9/16/2021 By: PikaSteve Info: Road is very smooth from recent grading. This morning, the road was blocked by a cable at the winter closure. However, by afternoon, that cable had been opened and the road was open up to another cable at the bottom of Lower Blue Lake (elevation 11,350) where there is parking for at least twenty cars. Lots of people were parked here in the afternoon and in my opinion, the parking area is fine and away from the shoulder of the road. From Lower Blue Lake parking to the dam is about 3/4 mile and 350 feet of elevation.
9/4/2021 Posted On: 9/6/2021 By: daway8 Info: The road to Blue Lakes Trailhead is blocked off about 3/4mi before the trailhead (adds 1.5mi RT). There is a fair amount of parking just before the closure. Very few cars there at 5:30am Sat morning but busting at the seams by afternoon (this trailhead is not currently restricted like the nearby Quandary trailhead now is).
7/30/2021 Posted On: 7/30/2021 By: EMan Info: If you don't feel like paying $20-$50 for a reservation (July 30-Oct 31), or taking a shuttle from Breck, park for FREE at Blue Lakes Dam and follow Quandary's West Ridge Route to the summit. (Class 3). No snow on route.
11/5/2020 Posted On: 11/5/2020 By: colospgs Info: Road is clear and dry all the way to the dam.
10/20/2020 Posted On: 10/20/2020 By: psa954hiker Info: The road is in very good shape, better than a washboard dirt road. Some sections look like they've been recently repaired. Any passenger vehicle could make it to the dam. I got there in a Toyota Camry 2WD sedan without any problems. Also saw a Tesla there. Photo taken on the way down just below the dam.
10/11/2020 Posted On: 10/11/2020 By: Unknown Info: Easy dirt to the top lot. 1/6 rating easy. Also climbed Fletcher last night which had some icy sections
9/10/2020 Posted On: 9/10/2020 By: angry Info: Clear to th. There are a few ruts along the way with shallow puddles but easily navigated in a subaru.
5/23/2020 Posted On: 5/25/2020 By: Trotter Info: Road open and clear to lower lake (11,400), parking for about 15 cars there. Past that is gated, road is partially snow covered.

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