Land of Lakes Trail and Overlook

This week's offering is a very simple little trip, involving a short walk and a spectacular payoff. It is the little known and easily accessible Land of Lakes Overlook Trail. If you are not a hiker don't let the the word trail frighten you. It is actually a short (Maybe 400 yards) paved path throught the woods. It is probably too narrow and steep to be considered wheelchair accessible. I recommend it to our B&B guests who would like to experience a walk in the Rocky Mountains but are not ready to tackle the more famous and challenging Crag Crest Trail.

To find the Land of Lakes Overlook go north 13.5 miles from Cedar's Edge Llamas B&B on Colorado Highway 65. Watch for a sign on the right. Turn left onto a short access road ending in the parking lot. The paved trail leaves the parking lot with a couple of switchbacks leading you to a ridgetop. The trail continues along the ridgetop a short distance, ending at an overlook and a few interpretive signs.

The view from here is amazing and unique. Immediately in front of and below you Island Lake stretches to the southeast.(See photo above) Several other lakes (nine I believe) are also visible amid the spruce and aspen forests below. The Crag Crest dominates the immediate skyline above Island Lake. Scan the horizon and you are treated to a great view of the snowcapped mountain ranges that surround our valley, from the West Elks above Paonia around to the San Juans by Telluride and Ouray. The canyon country of the Gunnison National Park and the Uncompahgre Plateau are seen to the south.

For a really different and romantic breakfast, come early in the morning with a thermos of coffee/tea and some croissants to watch as the morning sun spills across the the mountains and valley below. You will not soon forget it.

 

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