Big Lake Trail

Hike Name: Big Lake Trail Location: south CO Length: 3.25 Submitted by: Everet Bluth Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Colorado trail reviews Colorado national parks Colorado state parks
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Description
If you want to get away from crowded state parks and popular hiking trails, Big Lake is the place to go.
Big Lake is a very nice outdoor location if you want a relatively easy walk with a lot of beautiful scenary, good trout fishing, and an absolute, out-in-the-wild, no-one-else-around outdoor experience.

This trail is located on the southeast side of Conejos Peak in the South San Juan National forest.

The trailhead elevation is just over 10,000 feet and easily accessible. You can hike in to the lake in less than two hours if you keep a steady pace.

During the first mile or so you gain about 200 or 300 feet following a switch-back trail. At the top you drop down into a beautiful, narrow, winding valley. The trail from then on into Big Lake is relatively flat (little gain in elevation) and follows the river flowing out of Big Lake.

The scenary is absolutely gorgeous. The trail winds through tall pines, open meadows, and heavily wooded mountains all along the way.

Camping is about as"primitive" as you can get. The only conveniences are those you are willing to carry in.

We found a great spot among some tall pines and short, lucious grass about 75 yards away from the lake's edge and about 50 feet up from lake.

Firewood is dry and plentiful. A fast-flowing stream from snow run-off (in late June!!) feeds into the lake and provides cold, fresh drinking water. The only way I knew it wasn't ice is because it was still flowing.

Big Lake is well of the 'beaten path." We were camped there for a week and saw one party of two people, and they didn't stay.

I'd recommend this trip to anyone, especially novice hikers and younger children. It is an easy hike and offers a lot of exploring, nature watching, and just plain ole' get-away-from-it-all fun.

Directions to Hike
South access: Take HWY 17 northeast from Chama, NM, (28 mi.) or east from Atonito, CO (24 mi.) to the Platoro Resivoir exit. Go north on State Park Rd. 25 about 14 miles. Turn left at the Lake Fork Ranch entrance. Cross the river, go right at the fork, and follow the fence a few hundred yards to the trailhead.

Contact Information
Conejos Peak Ranger Station
La Jara, CO.

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