Details: Lake Ann

The hike to Lake Ann, cradled in a pretty alpine basin beneath the Continental Divide, features great views of Huron Peak and the Three Apostles. Continue the hike to a saddle on the divide with stunning views of the Taylor Valley and the peaks riming the Clear Creek valley.

To Lake Ann

Distance from Trailhead: 6.6 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 11,805-ft.

Elevation Gain: 1,205-ft.

Distance from 2WD Trailhead: 10.6 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 11,805-ft.

Elevation Gain: 1,549-ft.

From the 2WD parking lot near Winfield, walk south up County Road (CR) 390.2B on easy grades for 0.7 miles to an intersection. Take the road branch right to stay on CR 390. (The road to the left climbs the hill towards Browns Peak.)

Continue up the road for 1.3 miles to the 4WD parking area for Lake Ann and Huron Peak. The walk to the trailhead gains about 350-ft. in 2.0 miles, adding 4.0 miles round trip to the hike to Lake Ann. The mileage in the description below assumes you are starting from the 4WD Parking area.

Before beginning the hike to Lake Ann, walk to the pond to the west of the trailhead parking area for fine views of the peaks rising above the head of the Silver Creek basin to the southwest. Granite Mountain (12,848-ft.), a distinctive triangular peak, towers above the ridge separating the Silver Creek and the South Fork valleys.

The trailhead for Lake Ann and Huron Peak (14,003-ft.) is located at the south end of the 4WD parking area. Here the path to Huron Peak branches to the left (southeast). We head south on the Lake Ann/Continental Divide trail, which curves around the large sign at the trailhead.

Follow the trail as it ascends on easy grades through spruce-fir forest and small meadows on the east side of the South Fork valley. Along the way the trail passes the boundary for the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. At 0.9 miles cross a large meadow with a pond where views open to the Three Apostles (West Apostle (13,568-ft.), Ice Mountain (13,951-ft.) and North Apostle (13,860-ft.)) rising to the southwest. Huron Peak (14,003-ft.) soars overhead to the east.

Beyond the meadow the trail wanders through clusters of trees and brushy meadows. Keep an eye out for the ruins of an old cabin across the creek. Reach a “Y” intersection in a meadow at 1.5 miles. The Three Apostles trail branches left. We bear right (southwest) on the trail to Lake Ann. Ahead are fine views of the Apostles.

Past the junction the trail crosses to the west side of the South Fork of Clear Creek on a make-shift log bridge and briefly travels through willow-clogged meadows before curving to the left (south). Soon the trail enters the forest, climbing south/southwest on moderately-steep grades. Views are limited as the path climbs through the trees although a few nice waterfalls along the creek add interest to this section of the trail.

Cross a small cascade tumbling down from Harrison Flats at 2.8 miles. A short distance beyond the trail curves to the left (southeast) as it descends to and crosses a creek. On the east side of the creek the trail climbs steeply through trees which soon give way to meadows.

At 3.2 miles reach the junction with the use trail branching left to Lake Ann (11,805-ft.), an aquamarine jewel nestled in a beautiful basin beneath rugged 13,000-ft peaks. The trail to the right climbs to a saddle on the Continental Divide.

To Saddle on the Continental Divide

Distance from Trailhead: 8.0 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 12,620-ft.

Elevation Gain: 2,020-ft.

Distance from 2WD Trailhead: 12 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 12,620-ft.

Elevation Gain: 2,364-ft.

A visit to the saddle on the Continental Divide is highly recommended. The trail to the divide ascends steeply along the meadow-clad ridge to the west of the lake. Rock cairns mark the way. As you gain elevation enjoy great views of the lake and the peaks along the divide. West Apostle towers above the basin to the southwest while the summits of Ice Mountain and North Apostle are seen through a gap in the ridge to the east.

Soon the trail starts climbing steep switchbacks up the divide’s talus slopes, reaching the saddle on the ridge at 4.0 miles. From the saddle enjoy panoramic views of the Taylor Valley and reservoir to the southwest and the Elk Mountains to the west. Huron Peak dominates the views to the northeast while Mount Hope (13,993-ft.), Ervin Peak (13,531-ft.) and Mount Blaurock (13,616-ft.) rim the Clear Creek Valley to the north. La Plata Peak (14,336-ft.) towers above the peaks to the northwest.

After taking in the views from the divide descend to the pretty meadows surrounding Lake Ann for impressive views of the steep sided cirque surrounding the lake and the nearby peaks. Backpackers camping in the vicinity of the Lake Ann will want to explore the unnamed lakes of Harrison Flats to the west. The lakes enjoy stunning views of the Three Apostles and Huron Peak.

After visiting the divide and Lake Ann, retrace your steps to the trailhead for an 8.0 mile round-trip hike.