Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area A half or full day of hiking depending on your chosen itinerary Not included: Transportation Accommodations Food Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide gratuities — optional, 15-20% customary

How fit do I need to be?

The best thing about hiking to Breckenridge’s alpine lakes is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. Depending on the chosen hike, you’ll cover anywhere from 2-8 miles (3.2-12.9 km). The Chihuahua Lake hike and Mohawk Lake hike are 6.5-mile-long round trips each, while the Crystal Lakes offer two separate hikes—one to Lower Lake (a 4-mile round trip) and Upper Lake (an 8-mile round trip). The Rainbow Lake Hike is a short, enjoyable, hike (a 2-mile round trip) and is great for families and kids.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) Trekking poles (available to rent) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Close-toed shoes Synthetic t-shirt or long sleeve shirt Long pants or shorts Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Food you can eat on-the-go Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For these private hikes, the max. client to guide ratio is 6:1. Cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family! Hiking to Breckenridge’s alpine lakes can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. This adventure is open to all ages—families are more than welcome. If you’re bringing younger hikers along, just reach out to us beforehand and we’ll make sure everything is set up for a great day on the trail. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Breckenridge, most people fly into Denver International Airport just under 2 hours away from Breckenridge. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. Half-day tours depart at 8 am and 1 pm, while full-day tours start at 8 am. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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Hiking to Summit County’s alpine lakes, Colorado

Breckenridge | Colorado

Hiking to Breckenridge’s Alpine Lakes, CO

1 day | Easy to Challenging | 5.00

From $310 ()

Home to a plethora of crystal clear lakes, Colorado is an enticing destination for many curious explorers. From easier hikes to more aggressive leg-burners, the Centennial State’s Breckenridge is one of the best choices to discover lakes tucked in its alpine regions. And to witness different shades of blue these lakes are known for, you’ll be treated to Colorado’s diverse landscapes along the way. Hiking through dense forests and crossing fast-flowing streams to reach vast meadows and valleys carpeted with wildflowers, and ultimately the lakes themselves, is just a hint of what’s to come. There are several options to choose from—Chihuahua Lake situated at the base of Grizzly Peak or Mohawk Lake south of Breckenridge with a myriad of aspens and wildflowers throughout the way. Climb to treeline through spruce forests to get to Crystal Lakes, or opt for a hike to Rainbow Lake, an ideal destination for a family outing—the choice is yours!

Adventure Highlights

Alpine views: Admire the varied alpine landscapes en route to the lakes
All levels welcome: From easy jaunts to more demanding hikes, here you’ll find it all
Countless photo-ops: Take amazing photos of untouched nature and crystal clear lakes

Duration

1 day

Season

June through October

Group size

Up to 6 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

Get ready for exciting 4-5 hours of hiking to some of the most beautiful alpine lakes Breckenridge has to offer! Head into the alpine regions and choose one of the four hikes—reach Chihuahua, Rainbow, Mohawk, or Crystal Lakes as you pass through lush forests, cross bubbling streams, and admire meadows filled with wildflowers. Observe the craggy peaks, old mining structures, beaver ponds, and more as you make your way to the crystal clear lakes.

Get your alpine fix as you head to Breckenridge's alpine lakes! Spend 6-8 hours admiring valleys covered in sweet-scented wildflowers, dense forests, streams, old mining structures, or towering peaks before reaching one of your four hiking objectives. These include Chihuahua, Rainbow, Mohawk, or Crystal Lakes. Let your expert guide show you this stunning region of Colorado and make sure you soak up the phenomenal views upon getting to the lakes!

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Photo gallery

An alpine Lake in Summit County, Colorado

A woman standing in front of Mohawk Lake in Summit County

A woman smiling next to a lake in Summit County

Adventure, packed to go

Hiking to Breckenridge’s Alpine Lakes, CO

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

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What others say about this adventure

5.00 (1 review)

KGraham

Amazing Spruce Creek Guided Hike

Nate brought us on an amazing guided hike to Mohawk Lake. He is knowledgeable, friendly, chill and perceptive. He knew exactly what our family needed to make the hike an amazing experience. It was a major highlight of our visit to Breckenridge!

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - A half or full day of hiking depending on your chosen itinerary
Not included:
- - Transportation
  - Accommodations
  - Food
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional, 15-20% customary
The best thing about hiking to Breckenridge’s alpine lakes is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

Depending on the chosen hike, you’ll cover anywhere from 2-8 miles (3.2-12.9 km). The Chihuahua Lake hike and Mohawk Lake hike are 6.5-mile-long round trips each, while the Crystal Lakes offer two separate hikes—one to Lower Lake (a 4-mile round trip) and Upper Lake (an 8-mile round trip). The Rainbow Lake Hike is a short, enjoyable, hike (a 2-mile round trip) and is great for families and kids.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Trekking poles (available to rent)
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Close-toed shoes
  - Synthetic t-shirt or long sleeve shirt
  - Long pants or shorts
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Group sizes and prices:
- - For these private hikes, the max. client to guide ratio is 6:1.
  - Cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!
Hiking to Breckenridge’s alpine lakes can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - This adventure is open to all ages—families are more than welcome. If you’re bringing younger hikers along, just reach out to us beforehand and we’ll make sure everything is set up for a great day on the trail.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Breckenridge, most people fly into Denver International Airport just under 2 hours away from Breckenridge. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. Half-day tours depart at 8 am and 1 pm, while full-day tours start at 8 am. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
To secure your spot, you’ll be asked to pay the full amount upon checkout.
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued (unless the departure date is within 7 days at the time of booking).
  - If cancelled 7 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 7 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  - Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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