After a late morning start out of Montrose, we drove south toward Ridgway, CO. From Ridgway, head west on 62, then south on 7 to the Blue Lakes Trailhead (stay on 7 after the split with 7a). 7 is a dirt road that winds through cattle country with stunning views of the looming Colorado 14er, Mt. Sneffels, in the distance.
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| Mt. Sneffels with the Blue Lakes tucked in to the right |
We arrived at the trailhead (a.k.a. Walmart parking lot) and had to park on a side road. It turns out that day hikers frequent this trail, and most of the folks and dogs we met were coming back around 12:30.
The trail from the north side starts at 9,400 ft and switchbacks its way along Dallas Creek. Most of the trail is through wooded areas providing a welcome break from the near sun. One stream crossing was aided by trekking poles, but could have been forded relatively easily without them. 1,500 vertical feet and a little over 3 miles later, we arrived at Lower Blue Lake, which truly does live up to its name.
Lower Blue was surrounded by wildflowers: columbine, lupine, Indian paintbrush, bluebells, and many other shades of yellows, whites, and pinks. The sound of waterfalls bringing fresh snowmelt into the lake and the outflow down Dallas Creek were the only things we could hear, despite the presence of a few remaining dayhikers and one other backpacking group. We spent the remaining daylight hours taking it all in and watching a content coonhound explore the water’s edge.
Note: helpful items to take backpacking, especially to the East Dallas Creek drainage include head lamps or other light source, books, playing cards – no campfires are allowed in this area. Also, organizing backpacking gear somewhere other than a Motel 6 parking lot may aid in the ability to remember these items...
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