Agreat Colorado park to take visiting family and friends. It’s an hour from Denver and has very short trail, but it’s a great place to introduce others to the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and to take in a high Colorado lake. The trail along the lake connects to several trails: Chicago Lakes, Bear Track Lakes trails, which give you access to Mount Evans Wilderness Area and Mt. Evans summit. Near the parking area, you’ll find a stone picnic shelter which was built in 1937. When the weather is getting hot, it’s a great place for a picnic or a wonderful place to break out the hot chocolate when snow is still on the ground.
- Hike Distance: Less than 1/4 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr
- Difficulty: Easy (but consider altitude)
- Duration: 15min
- Activities: Fishing, Picnic Areas, Hiking, Connections to other hikes, Visitor Center
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring to Fall
- Beauty: Lakes, Mountain Peak Views, Wildlife: Ducks and Geese
- Trail Map Link for Echo Lake: Click Here
Tips:
- Early morning means that the lake is still, providing no windy weather, and is a perfect time to photograph or just to observe the rocky mountains reflected in the water.
- A nice short hike can be made by parking at the parking lot (see map above & below), and hiking around the lake to the Historic Echo Lake Lodge. Visit there, then turn around and enjoy the lake on the way back again.
- When you finish, drive up to the summit and enjoy the view from the top of Mt. Evans. Or visit Summit Lake Park
- One of our favorite day-trips with visitors who are not from Colorado, is to take them to Echo Lake, Mt. Evans Summit (by car), then into Evergreen for Pizza at Beaujos Pizza. Do consider altitude.
- In regards to the summit hike: We avoid bringing friends who are not in good health. Be sure to have your guests drink plenty of water, and make sure they have had a day or two to get used to the altitude in the mile-high city.
- The Weather link below is for Idaho Springs. Weather at the altitude of Echo Lake may be very different, and Weather at the summit will definitely be different. Check this National Weather Service Link for more accurate forecasts.
- Looking for something more adventurous? Try the Chicago Lakes Hike. It starts in the same parking lot.
Related Hikes:
- Maxwell Falls Near Evergreen, Colorado
- More Great Hikes for Visiting Family & Friends
- Chicago Lakes Trail from Echo Lake
