Cathedral Lake, Aspen. Our original intention was not to hike up to Cathedral Lake when we set out long before sunrise. Follow this for 19.3 km, until you see signs for the Cathedral Lake Trail.Turn right and follow the road up to the parking area. Cathedral Lake, as seen near the upper Cathedral Lake Trail Junction A couple weeks ago, I posted about hiking to Electric Pass , the highest named pass in Colorado. The Cathedral Lake Trail is 2.8 miles long. There’s a 2,000-foot elevation gain up to 11,866 feet, but the alpine views are a … 2. Starting Elevation: 9,882 feet. Leave Highway 82 and take the Castle Creek paved road exactly 12 miles south. Climbing 2,000 feet up a steady 3-mile grade, hiking the Cathedral Lake Trail offers an alternative to the crowds at the Maroon Bells. Distance (round trip): 2.8 miles. The trail climbs for 3/4 of a mile through an aspen forest before it enters the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness , then begins a steeper ascent, following Pine Creek cascading through the … This moderate to strenuous hike winds through aspen stands along Pine Creek before opening up above treeline. The 8.8-mile Lost Man Trail visits not just one high-elevation lake, but three—all containing trout, and all surrounded by wildflower meadows and steely peaks. Length: 5.6 miles round-trip. This is a 2.8 mile dirt trail in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Ashcroft, CO. To get to the trailhead, from the Aspen roundabout turn right onto Castle Creek Road and drive 12 miles. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This hike is a great cardio workout that contains no shortage of alpine views as a reward. Elevation gain: 2,000 feet. Highest Elevation: 11,866 feet. The climb starts at the Cathedral Lake trailhead which is 9,980 feet elevation. Beginning at the Cathedral Lake Trailhead, the hike climbs immediately up through aspen groves that are especially colorful in the fall (roughly late Cathedral Lake to Electric Pass Trail is a 9.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Aspen, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Cathedral Lake - 5.6 Miles Round-Trip Cathedral Lake is located 2.8 miles from the Cathderal Lake Trailhead south of Aspen, CO. From the north side of Aspen, Colorado, there is a large round-about just outside of town marking the intersection of Highway 82, Maroon Creek Road and Castle Creek Road. click on each photo to view a larger image. Head west from Aspen along Colorado 82 for 0.8 km to get to the traffic circle. Take the 3rd exit onto Castle Creek Rd. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. It begins at County Road 15h and ends at Sec 11 at Cathedral Lake. Cathedral Lake Trail, a challenging 5.6-miler lined with wild sage, blue columbines, and firs in the White River National Forest. The 2,000-foot, 2.8-mile climb (5.6 miles roundtrip) is considered challenging, but the rewards from the high-alpine lake is worth every drop of sweat equity. Trailhead: From downtown Aspen, take Main Street/Highway 82 west to the roundabout, and follow the Castle Creek spur past Aspen Valley Hospital and up the valley for 12.2 miles. The trail to the pass isn’t exceedingly popular, but Cathedral Lake – which can be a side trip off of your hike to Electric Pass or a destination of its own – certainly is. The first leg of the hike climbs for .75 miles through a magical aspen forest before it enters the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness. Cathedral Lake. Elevation Gain: 430 feet Elevation: 9,900. Climb to over 11,000 feet along Cathedral Lake Trailhead south of Aspen and you’ll be rewarded with one of the area’s most beautiful pieces of scenery, Cathedral Lake. 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