The Hope Lake Trail is a must-visit for anyone exploring the stunning landscapes around Telluride, Colorado. This 5.7-mile out-and-back hike takes you through lush forests and vibrant meadows, leading to the breathtaking, alpine blue Hope Lake.
HIKE TO: Lake Hope
TRAIL: Hope Lake Trail
MILES: 5.7 miles
TIME: 2.5 hrs (give yourself lake time)
DATE I WENT: 8/1/24
DIFFICULTY: moderate
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,149 ft
ELEVATION: 11,864 ft
HIKE PERMIT: no
PARKING: free
LOCATION: San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Along the way, you’ll be treated to picturesque views of Trout Lake and the Lizard Head Wilderness, making the journey just as rewarding as the destination. Whether you are seeking a peaceful escape or an adventure in nature, the Hope Lake Trail offers a perfect blend of both, inviting you to immerse yourself in Colorado’s alpine beauty.
I decided to bring my inflatable standup paddle board (SUP) on this hike because a 2.85-mile hike with only 1,149 ft of elevation gain didn’t seem too bad to be able to float on a vibrant blue alpine lake. Well, at high altitude, I was huffing and puffing a bit.
My SUP only weighs 19 lbs which I can carry easily, but the backpack it came with doesn’t distribute weight well so I felt it all on my shoulders.
Hope Lake Trailhead
The trailhead to hike Lake Hope is about 40 minutes from the town of Telluride and requires driving roughly 4 miles on a dirt road, but a high clearance vehicle is not required.
There is not an actual parking lot at the trailhead but there is plenty of space — simply park along the road but make sure to leave space for cars passing through.
Hope Lake Trail
The Hope Lake Trail is a very straightforward path if you are paying attention. The trail starts at 10,727 ft and ends at 11,876 ft before you drop a couple of feet down to reach the lake at the end.
There are two creek crossings with logs and rocks to help you cross without getting wet; but be careful as those logs can be unstable.
We started at 8:26 am and the weather warmed up quickly. The first 1.2 miles of the hike is flat-ish.
The trail starts with a gradual incline and a lot of shade as you are hiking through trees on a defined dirt trail, but the slight ups and downs got me breathing heavily. Or maybe that’s because I was carrying my paddleboard.
Only 6 minutes in is the first and largest creek crossing and the trail continues across and to the right.
From here, the trail goes a little up and down, but all gradual and “flat” ish compared to what’s to come.
The trail then meanders through some rock and dirt trails between bushes which were blooming with wildflowers when we went. Wildflowers here typically peak in mid-late July but linger into August.
At an elevation of 10,850 ft and 1.23 miles from the trailhead, you come across a sign for Hope Lake Trail — this is where the real uphill begins.
For the next 1.29 miles, the trail follows a series of switchbacks, gaining 815 ft in elevation. Then the trail opens up above the treeline and the views are breathtaking with peaks and fields of wildflowers all around. You can even see Lizard Head, El Diente, Wilson Peak, and Mt Wilson across the way peaking out in the distance from the hike.
We went on August 1 and the wildflowers were incredible; there is a variety of wildflowers and an abundance of them.
The final 0.33 miles mellows out and the trail continues straight toward the mountains in front of you with Lake Hope at the basin beneath the peaks. The elevation gain is gradual with only 214 ft more to go but there is no shade.
We arrived at the lake at 10:05 am and there was no one else around — the crowds all came about an hour later.
The peaks towering above Lake Hope are V9, Peak 13,400, and San Miguel Peak. The trail goes to the right so you can get higher above to see the vibrant blue alpine lake, or you can continue left and up towards a saddle.
I chose to just hang out at the lake, pumped up my SUP, and hopped on the water for a little paddle and float. The lake is big and the water is really deep; it was cool to see the bottom through the clear turquoise water from my paddleboard.
The color of the lake appears differently depending on the time of day. Earlier in the mornings, the color of lakes usually aren’t as vibrant but they light up more in the afternoon. However, if you are paddling on a sunny day, you really get to see how turquoise this water is up close..
After you are done enjoying this alpine lake, head out the same way you came in.
Going down took us less than an hour as I didn’t carry the paddleboard down as I did up.
Download Hope Lake Trail GPX Track here.
Shop My Gear List for Lake Hope Telluride
- Standup Paddleboard (pump + paddles included)
- Lightweight Travel Towel
- Danner Hiking Boots
- New Swiftwick Flite Trails Socks
- Thinksport Sunscreen (23% Zinc Oxide)
- Pingora Day Pack (if you forego the SUP)
FAQ: Lake Hope
Can you swim in Hope Lake, Telluride?
Yes, you can swim in the lake! The shore gets deep fast so a big jump should get you far enough out.
What is the elevation of Hope Lake, Colorado?
Hope Lake in Colorado sits at an elevation of 11,864 ft.
Nearby Alpine Lakes You May Like
Telluride Hotels
- Budget-Friendly: The Bivvi Hostel
- Mid-Range: The Victorian Inn
- Luxury: Madeline Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection
Booking travel soon?
Please consider using my affiliate links below. It costs nothing additional for you but helps me maintain the ever-increasing costs of running a travel blog:
General travel through Tripadvisor here.
Book your flights here.
Book your accommodations here on Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and VRBO.
Book your car rentals here.
Book your tours here.
Book your travel insurance here.
Thanks for reading!
I’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, comments, and questions below. If you’ve been recently, let me know how it went!