Geneva Lake/Snowmass Mountain

Hike Name: Geneva Lake/Snowmass Mountain Location: central CO Length: 2.5+ Submitted by: Curt Prewitt Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Colorado trail reviews Colorado national parks Colorado state parks
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Description
Geneva Lake is a short steep hike from the trailhead near Lead King Basin. You'll climb several hundred feet until you get to a shelf near a waterfall. The trail levels off quite a bit and strolls along a crystal clear river for about a half a mile and then the lake suddenly appears. 14,092ft Snowmass Mountain is in the background, lush greenery (and flowers, if the timing is right) are everywhere. There are several designated campsites around the perimeter of the lake. This is a wilderness area and subject to heavy use at times; follow the rules for using only designated sites, fires etc. From here you can hike up the fourteener or take any of several other trails which branch farther into this beautiful wilderness area. Get yourself up high enough (southeast of the lake is a good spot) and you'll get a good view of the Maroon Bells, some of the most famous and most photographed Mts. in Colorado (most know them from the other side). This could be a good day hike, a way to bag a fournteener(consult a guidebook), or you could do as I've done a couple of times and pack in to stay for a few days. Beware of the access roads; they are rough four wheel drive. Take lots of photos.

Directions to Hike
Get yourself to Glenwood Springs. Head south on Hwy 82 to Carbondale. Turn right onto Hwy 133, go south through Carbondale, then Redstone. About 4 miles or so later watch for the left turn for Marble on Forest Road 314. Take this westward through Marble. After Marble is when you'll be wanting a 4wd vehicle with decent clearance. About a mile after the town you'll come to a fork for Crystal City or for Lead King Basin. They're both rough. Lead King is more dirt, steep and switchbacks. Crystal is more rocky with some steep (some famous views though). Either way will lead you to a small parking area at the trailhead for the Maroon Bells Snowmass wilderness area. Park here and enjoy the hike. (No bikes on this trail)

Contact Information
Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest, 620 Main St., Carbondale,CO 81623.
(970)963-2266

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