Emerald Lake
It's no secret, Emerald Lake is one of the most picturesque high alpine lakes near Crested Butte. The parking area is close enough to the water that calling this a hike feels generous. Its namesake is obvious when the sun shines. Bring a paddleboard, a towel, or just a picnic.
From late June through August the small parking lot fills up and traffic can back up on the narrow shelf road approach above the lake. Your best bet is to arrive early or late in the day to experience its beauty without the crowds.
At the Trailhead
Showers, T-Storms
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Trailhead Info
Good to Know
Under Control
Under control is the Forest Service rule on most trails in this district: your dog comes back on the first call, every time, including around wildlife, horses, and other dogs. If that is a maybe, it is a leash day. Rangers can and do write tickets for it.Avg 4G Cell Signal
The bars refer to cell tower connectivity. Calls, maps and photos all need one. Newer phones can now text (no calls) over satellite automatically without cell towers, depending on your provider. You typically need an open view of the sky for it to work.The Route
Trail Directions
- From the small parking area below the road, the trail curves around the right side of the lake for under half a mile. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards put in on the far side.
- On the far side, a trail climbs back up toward the road. Take it for the higher vantage point, which is where you can better view where the lake earns its name.
- Return the way you came, and spend the rest of the visit however the lake suggests. Keep off the soft banks where you can; the shoreline erodes faster than it recovers.
Map and GPX
Take It With You
Cell service fades fast out here. Save the route before you lose the argument with your phone.
Free, and no account needed. Works in Gaia, CalTopo, onX, Garmin, and anything else that reads GPX.
Love Where You Live
Alex Richland
Alex came out for one summer after college and never went home. She sells real estate in Crested Butte for the same reason you are reading a trail guide: this is a hard place to leave. Straight answers, no pressure, and an honest read on what it actually takes to live here.
Leave It Better
The locals have pitchforks. And camera phones.
And social media. Do not go viral.
Leave the Flowers
Do not pick, cut, or wade into them for the photograph. This valley is one of the best wildflower displays in Colorado precisely because generations of people walked past without helping themselves.
Mind the Shoreline
Bank vegetation holds the edge of an alpine lake together and it gives up under repeated boots. Launch and land where the ground is already bare, and keep lunch out of the willows.
Pack It All Out
Everything you carried in, plus the orange peel and the pistachio shells you assumed would rot. At this elevation they last years, and a marmot will find them long before they break down.
This trail and many others like it are maintained by the Crested Butte Conservation Corps. From picking up trash to trail maintenance to poop removal, they do it all and keep our backcountry pristine. Please help support them with a tax-deductible donation (501c3).
More Alpine Lakes
Pick your placid pools.
Good Questions
What elevation is Emerald Lake near Crested Butte?
Emerald Lake sits at about 10,460 feet, so the thin air is most of the effort on an otherwise easy walk. Give yourself a day in town before swimming at this altitude if you arrived from sea level.
How do I get to Emerald Lake from Crested Butte?
Take Gothic Road north a total of 12.6 miles, past the ski resort and the old mining town of Gothic, as the dirt road climbs and roughens near the lake. Some stretches are one vehicle wide with steep drop offs, so an SUV is recommended and wide vehicles, trailers, and RVs are not. A turnoff just before the lake descends to the small parking area.
Can you swim in Emerald Lake?
Yes, and people do, along with paddleboarders and kayakers putting in on the far side. The water is snowmelt fed and brisk on the best day. Be courteous of other lake users and keep time on the soft banks short to limit erosion.
Can you drive all the way to Emerald Lake?
Yes. The lake sits just off Gothic Road about 40 minutes from town, which makes it the easiest alpine water in the valley to reach. The last stretch of road is narrow and rough, so take it slowly.
