Blue Lake Trail

To access the trailhead for Blue Lake, you'll have to hike in about two miles on Bridal Veil Trail #636. When you come to a fork in the trail, take the left toward the pointed pyramid-shaped mountain in the skyline, heading up the west-facing switchbacks above you. Continue up the rocky road beside a sometimes wet, dark rock wall across a couple seasonal stream crossings. As the trail begins to level out into a meadow, look for the old, mining cabin that sits scenically among the grass and bushes. This is a great spot for pictures and a break, but if you have the energy, push on for the last half mile or so to the upper vantage point above the lake. This beautiful alpine lake sits at the base of a glacial cirque with Three Needles (13,481') to the east and Bridal Peak (13,510') to the southwest. The banks of this lake and much of the surrounding meadows are littered with old mining remains. Given its proximity to the town of Telluride, this is a must-see, high-alpine view!