Crystal Lake May 5th, 2020
Crystal Lake
Discover the beauty of Crystal Lake, a stunning alpine lake in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Learn about the hiking and off-road driving trails that lead to this scenic spot, and explore the historic mining sites nearby. See amazing photos of the lake and its snow-capped peaks in early spring, then see why it is called Red Mountain with a crisp photo of the golden yellow aspens in autumn. Get inspired to visit this hidden gem.
Crystal Lake is a stunning alpine lake located near Red Mountain Pass in Ouray County, Colorado. The lake sits at an elevation of 9,600 feet and is surrounded by towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains. The lake offers spectacular views of the two high peaks of Red Mountain
Crystal Lake is a popular destination for hiking and off-road driving, as it has several trails nearby that lead to scenic overlooks and historic sites. One of the trails is the Crystal Lake Trail, which is an 8.4-mile out-and-back trail that starts from the Million Dollar Highway 550 and goes to both the Lower and Upper Crystal Lakes. Another trail is the Corkscrew Gulch Trail, which is a four-wheel drive road that goes through a high-mountain valley with abundant views of Hayden Mountain. Crystal Lake is also close to some former mining sites, such as the Yankee Girl Mine, which is a National Historic Landmark that operated from 1869 to 1991 and produced silver, lead, and zinc ore.