"alpine lake" for family

[gonefishing05]

Hello all,

Ive benefited from so great suggestions on this site that have led me to places like crater lake and mystic island lake. I am now trying to plan a trip with my wife and 2 year old son which will be a road trip from MN. I am hoping to find an alpine lake that has drive up or near drive up camping. I am fine hauling the gear (and kid) 50 yards or so from the car, but thats about it at this point. I am hoping for something more off of a dirt road, that feels semi-secluded and in the mountains. not some reservoir off of the highway. We dont need amenities like power, shower, etc. and will be travelling in a forester so we can handle some amount of dirt road.

Am I asking for too much? Anyone willing to share a location like this? also, i swore this wouldnt be a climbing trip, but if there is a peak right out of the camping area... maybe i can get a climb in before the day starts.

Thanks!

[kbmiller]

Deep lake, heart lake, white owl lake -- all on the Coffeepot road in the flattops. Road starts in Dotsero. If you go in late July, the flowers are outstanding. Great family camping.

[jmanner]

Guanella Pass has some nice lakes below Square Top and below Wilcox/Argentine, but you'll have to hike a couple miles in. The best alpine lakes are going to take some work. Something to think about: most alpine likes you are talking about require a glacier to dig them out, which means it needs to be higher and there just aren't a lot of roads up to places like that.

There's are dirt roads up to Loch Lommond, but it gets kind of busy with 4 wheelers, there are several lake/reservoir below the east side of the James Peak range, which have 4x4 roads leading up to them.

Edit: It occurs to me that Yankeeboy Basin might have what you are looking for, if you have a good 4x4. Although, I am not sure I'd want my two year flat lander sleeping at 12,000' for a variety of reasons. This is an interesting problem.

[Jon Frohlich]

Lost Lake by Crested Butte. The campground is basically at the edge of the lake.

[gb]

Lost Lake by Crested Butte. The campground is basically at the edge of the lake.

Or Lake Irwin for that matter.

[Bombay2Boulder]

Alta Lakes Campground just outside of Telluride is an excellent choice and can easily be accessed by a Forester. You didn't specify a month, but this should be accessible late June/early July. This area does get crowded a lot on popular weekends and I wouldn't even bother going during the Bluegrass festival week.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmug/re ... ecid=34056

[gonefishing05]

thanks all, these are some great option based on my quick googling.

we are planning for late july/early august.

[Scott P]

Trappers Lake or Stillwater Reservoir in the Flat Tops are really nice too.

[LURE]

Lower Cataract in the Gores.

Did I just break rule No. 1?

Oh well, It's not a peak. Great lake with basically drive up access, dispersed camping (it's technically in the Wilderness Area though), I think maybe even a campground near the parking lot?

[gonefishing05]

Totally cool with dispersed camping as long as I don’t have to backpack in due to the boy.

[LURE]

Totally cool with dispersed camping as long as I don’t have to backpack in due to the boy.

I could be wrong on the dispersed camping at Lower Cataract, though there is a forest service campground just below the lake. I'd check the with Dillon Ranger District to be sure.

[719BR]

Hello all,

...I am now trying to plan a trip with my wife and 2 year old son which will be a road trip to MN...

i totally misread that as you going to minnesota and wanting a lake camp up that way. i was like, how hard can THAT be?