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


5/17/2025 Posted On: 5/17/2025 By: infinitealpine Info: Road is clear to the gate below the dam.
5/8/2025 Posted On: 5/9/2025 By: jacolc Info: Drive with AWD just below summer TH. In day or two any car can do that
5/4/2025 Posted On: 5/13/2025 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: The winter closure is still in place due to snow on the road. It will probably be another week before it's opened.
10/22/2024 Posted On: 10/22/2024 By: daway8 Info: Only a little bit of snow on the road up to where the road is gated - will probably be dry by the weekend. A couple really large potholes to watch out for, otherwise pretty mellow mostly dirt road. Strictly no parking along the road between the Quandary TH and Blue Lakes but there's room for maybe 15-20 vehicles at the gated road closure, though signs warn you not to block the gate or other access roads.		2
9/21/2024 Posted On: 9/22/2024 By: AurumSun13 Info: The road is closed 0.5-0.75mi from the dam, but the pull out near the gate can probably hold about 15-20cars easy. The road up was in better condition than other rank 2 trailheads on this website. A 2wd lower clearance vehicle could make it there easy if you pick your line carefully.
7/2/2024 Posted On: 7/2/2024 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Road is dry and open but the gate is closed, 3/4 miles below the dam. Park there.
6/3/2024 Posted On: 6/4/2024 By: Jcinco Info: Still closed at the winter trailhead
9/2/2023 Posted On: 9/5/2023 By: GuiGirard Info: I drove up to the gate and lower lake, I was surprised that after I felt more comfortable turning on the X-mode on my Subaru on two short sections that there were people who had taken 2WD sedans all the way to the campsites. There was also a piece of car bumper and a trail of engine oil in one of the rougher sections... bottom line, it's your vehicle, your driving skills, your decisions. I wouldn't take a sedan I care about up there.
8/18/2023 Posted On: 8/29/2023 By: OriLindner Info: 2wd could make it no problem, but it did get a little more bumpy the last mile. Indeed the gate is still closed so it adds about an extra mile total, but it's easy and gives a pretty view of the lakes. Recommend getting there the night before & car camping or quite early in the morning because the lot definitely fills up.
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.

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