The beginning of the Ice Lake trail a 3.5 mile trail [7 mile round trip] that is located just north of Silverton Colorado and off on an easily accesible dirt road toward South Mineral Campground. The starting altitude is about 9,200 feet.
Less than a mile from the start is a flowing waterfall and creek.
View from the lower valley. In the distance are the mountains that surround Ice Lake Basin.
Interesting foliage grows along the trail at high altitude - [above 10,000 feet].
Coming out of the valley the trail sort of disappears amid snow and rock.
At about 12,000 feet and almost there....
Here it is. After an hour-and-a-half of hike/running here is the main lake in Ice Lake Basin. Yes, there really is ice in the lake during July.
A few minutes more of snow hiking leads to this view above two lakes. The main one is the further lake.
Many creeks flow throughout this high altitude basin.
The third lake is called Fuller Lake and it has an old cabin [or hut] on its shore.
A closer look at the old hut. It had a note on the wall that read: "Those who are lost want to be found, those who wander are not lost."
[In the midground to the right is a marmot].
Heading back and looking into the valley right below Ice Lake Basin.
Distance: 7 to 8 miles.
Total Time: Around 4 hours. Hung around on top for an hour.
