Blue Lake Trail - Hiking trail near Fort Collins, Colorado, United States - Description

The first two miles of the trail follows an old wagon trail and crosses Joe Wright Creek and Fall Creek before entering the Rawah Wilderness. The trail ascends toward Blue Lake and Hang Lake, both of which are protected by a 1/4 mile camping closure. After a short climb past Blue Lake the trail descends to a junction with West Branch Trail (#960) will allows easy access to Island and Carey Lakes, the Rawah Trail (#961), Twin Crater Lakes, and Grassy Pass.

General Wilderness Regulations:

* Dogs must be on a hand held leash
* No motorized or mechanized equipment
* Camps, campfires and stock, where allowed, at least 200 feet from water and trails
* Group size limited to 12 people or stock animals combined

Special Trail Regulations:

* 1/4 mile camping closure zone around Blue and Hang Lakes
* Stoves only above 10,800' elevation
* Stock and pack animals are prohibited from mid-May through September 15th
* Stock is prohibited within the Blue Lake closure area, except for through travel in the trail when allowed

From Fort Collins, go 11 miles north on U.S. Highway 287, turn west onto Colorado Highway 14 and drive approximately 54 miles. The trailhead will be on the right side of the road across from Long Draw Road.