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Turquoise Lake
5 reviews
3.6 of 5
This is basically a long singletrack out-and-back along the south and west shores of the lake. At almost 10,000 feet you will notice the elevation. The trail doesn't have any very long climbs, but there are a few short ones and the downhills are FAST! The trail is not too technical, but a few spots will certainly get your attention. The scenery is incredible. A loop can be made with a paved road but the climb is terrible, I'd recommend just riding the Turquoise Lake trail out-and-back.
Summary: I live in Leadville and this is a nice ride, the camp ground area is flat and very fast, look out for kids with fishing poles. The area on the north shore is fun with some techincal terrain and can be very wet in spots. No climbing to speak of.
Recommended Route: I link this trail with the St. Kevin trail. St. Kevin has a climb that will find the bottom of your lungs. Park at the park-n-ride east of the Arkansas River and accross from north entrance to Turquoise Lake. Cross the Arkansas and take the first dirt road to your right, this is the start of the St. Kevin ride. Once you hit pavement again, go right, uphill, then a screaming downhill to the west bank of the lake and the lake trail head. Ask for better directions to the St. Kevin trail from the bike shop in town. Have a nice ride.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Weston Pass, Mosquito Pass, double and singletrack all over the mosquito range and around the CMC. Tons of riding in Lake County and typically all by yourself as Denver and other folks have yet to find this treasure.
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Summary: I rode this trail on Labor Day 2004, there were 5 of my friends in from Kansas that camped and rode this trail with me. Turn around when you get to the inlet on the lakes west side, or continue on the road. We had heard there was a trail all the way around, so we rode our bikes back east on the south side of the lake looking for a trail, there is none. We carried our bike on our shoulders for several miles across talus size boulders before we decided to hike straight up the scree slope on our south nearly 250 feet up at a pitch of around 45 degrees with our bikes on our shoulders (very dangerous, very dumb, and we are all lucky no one was injured) to the paved road above. However the single track section was very cool.
Recommended Route: From the main camping areas on the east (Molly Brown, etc.) do an out and back on the singletrack
Other recommended trails in the same area: Colorado trail Bear lakes area, Hagerman pass, Hagerman pass tunnel, Colorado trail Twin lakes to Halfmoon creek, Mineral Belt ride, Colorado trail Mt. Princeton hot springs to Cottonwood creek hot springs
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Review Date April 18, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Charles Elliott
, from Bastrop, TX
Summary: Through the campgroun areas, it is a "bunny trail" The course is fast, fairly level and non-winding. You can get a lot of speed going. Then as you leave the campground area, it starts going through rock gardens, up and down. There are some places where you have a very technical descent or climb, but there are only a couple - through a few boulders. Waterfalls are beside the trail and sometimes you will see deer or elk. The temperature is cool at even the hottest time of the year. It is something like a Texas Hill Country trail without the 100 degree summer heat. I put "rode once" above because it was the closest. I actually rode it one or two times a day for nearly a week. There are trout in that lake, by the way.
Recommended Route: Either as above or do an in and out from the dam area on the east side (non-pavement)
Other recommended trails in the same area: On the road to Vail, there is an abandoned military base that the Coloradians use for races. It seemed pretty good.
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Review Date August 25, 1999
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: Ed
, from Littleton, CO
Summary: Recommend taking the single track counter clock-wise, starting near the dam; NOT clock-wise starting at the campground on the west side of the lake. Nice scenery and, yes, the altitude will affect you. The paved road option is probably best as a road-bike ride. There are a couple of sustained climbs. Nice views. If mnt. biking, you can take occassional jeep trails that intersect the paved road for a little added excitment.
Recommended Route: Single track as described, and the paved road that circles the lake. Get maps at the bike store in Leadville, although the store has been closed every time I've been there (which has always been a Sunday).
Other recommended trails in the same area: The Colorado Trail as it intersects Tennessee Pass and continues to a wilderness area. A fun pleasant ride, although not very technical. Well marked. Out and back (to wilderness area) is maybe 15-20 miles. This is far enough from Denver that there are few people riding this section of the CT.
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Review Date August 3, 1999
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a year
Reviewed by: Jordan Mitchell
, from Weaverville, NC, USA
Summary: Ok, so I'm reviewing the trail I just submitted, but I screwed up...make that the North and East shores of the lake that the trail follows.
Recommended Route: Same as above.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Any of the ones on the Leadville Area Mountain Bike Map, available at the cool Top Of The World Cyclery in Leadville.
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3.6 of 5
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