How to drive the unpaved road to Blue Lakes in Colorado?

Blue Lakes is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.573m (11,722ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Blue Lakes

Where is Blue Lakes?

The lake is located south of Breckenridge, in the central part of Colorado, within the White River National Forest.

Is the road to Blue Lakes unpaved?

The road to the lake is totally unpaved, maintained in good condition. It’s called Blue Lakes Road (Forest Road #850). Most passenger vehicles can get it in fair weather. There is a large parking area below the dam.

How long is the road to Blue Lakes?

Starting from the paved CO-9, the road to the summit is 3.86km (2.4 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 278m (915 ft) and the average gradient is 7.20%.

Is the road to Blue Lakes open year-round?

Set high in the Tenmile Range, the road is not plowed in winters. It’s usually impassable from October to June.
Pic: Gene Brown

 



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