Island Lake and Ice Lake, Colorado Hike
What Are Ice and Island Lakes?
It was seeing photographs on the internet that first opened my eyes to these two stunning alpine lakes in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Ice Lake and Island Lake are two stunning alpine lakes located right next to each other in this mountain range. These two lakes are a part of the Ice Lake Basin area near Silverton, these glacial lakes sit at an elevation around 12,400 feet, and are surrounded by jagged 13,000-foot peaks. The amazing contrast of the blue and green lakes being surrounded by huge peaks really caught my attention and I knew right away I had to visit this beautiful location.
Getting to Ice and Island Lakes
These lakes are located just out of Silverton, Colorado. To reach the trailhead for Ice Lake and Island Lake, you'll drive about 6 miles west from the town of Silverton on Highway 550 (the famous Million Dollar Highway). Then take Forest Road 585 to the South Mineral Campground area, where you'll find the Ice Lake Trailhead. The road to access this trailhead is a dirt road however it isn’t too long or rough and as long as you are careful and have a little bit of clearance you should be ok (I did have a Toyota 4runner and had no issue at all) . Strangely, I keep seeing people driving lower and lower clearance cars to hard to reach places. The last few miles of Forest Road 585 are usually impassable until late spring/early summer due to snow cover, so make sure to check conditions!
Hiking Ice and Island Lakes
The hike to Ice Lake and Island Lake is about 7-8 miles round-trip with around 2,600 feet of elevation gain. This is considered a moderately strenuous hike. I’m younger and in pretty good condition and found it to be quite challenging. I did see a lot of people on the trail that I wouldn’t expect to be able to do the hike. Come prepared, the distance isn’t bad but the elevation climb in the mountains can get to you quickly. This is also an awesome entry level backpacking trip for one or two nights because you can bring a tent and gear to camp at or near the lakes.
The trail starts by gradually ascending through forest before emerging above tree line into a beautiful meadow area after about 2 miles. A trail junction lets you either head left toward Ice Lake first or right toward Island Lake. I visited Ice Lake first, then continued the loop over to Island Lake before returning. The final stretch up to Ice or Island Lake is the steepest and most physically demanding part. No matter which order you do the loop, you're rewarded with sweeping views of alpine lakes surrounded by stunning meadows and towering 13,000+ foot peaks.
Ice and Island Lake, Colorado | Landscape Photography Tips
Ice Lake and Island Lake offer amazing photo opportunities for landscape photographers. Here are some tips for capturing amazing imagery:
Arrive early or stay lake and hike for sunrise or sunset when the soft, angled light will make the lake colors pop and the peaks glow with warm alpenglow. I started my hike around 5 a.m. in the dark and was able to catch some really nice soft light up at Island Lake just after sunrise.
Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full scale of the scene with the lakes as foreground and mountain backdrop.
Use longer exposures to smooth out choppy lake surfaces when the waters are not calm
For night photography, the remote location provides incredibly dark skies perfect for shooting the Milky Way reflected in the still lake waters.
Visit in the summertime to catch some amazing wildflowers which bloom later in the year at higher elevations.
Use a drone for some unique angels of the lakes, just be mindful of people and any new drone laws
Conclusion
The hike to Ice Lake and Island Lake in Colorado's San Juan Mountains is truly a bucket-list adventure for any landscape photographer or hiking enthusiast. The strenuous climb through forests and meadows pays off with jaw-dropping views of two vibrantly colored alpine lakes nestled beneath towering mountain peaks. Whether you camp overnight or just do it as a long day hike, getting up close to these pristine glacial lakes is an experience you won't forget. If you find yourself in southwestern Colorado, put this challenging yet rewarding hike at the top of your list.
Photograph taken in The San Juan Mountains, Colorado
