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Quick Facts

Costo Lake

Elevation:	10,300 Feet (3210.7 Meters)
Handicapped Accessible:	No
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 133
Recommended Season:	Early Fall
Trail Number:	425
Usage:	Heavy in Summer
USGS Map:	Anthracite Range
Vehicle Accessibility:	Passenger Vehicle

General Description

This beautiful lake is in the West Elk Wilderness and receives heavy camping use around the lake, that may limit site availability. The Castles rock formation provides a beautiful setting for this alpine lake. The lake supports brook trout and good fishing.

Directions from Ohio Pass Road: Access into Costo Lake is lengthy due to private property closing of Castle Creek. Access may be gained via Ohio Pass Road, Forest Road 730. Begin at the Swampy Pass Trailhead and travel westward nine and a half miles to Swampy Pass. At the pass trail #438 leads to the south (left), take this trail. Follow this path passed trail #441. A short distance passed this you'll reach an intersection with the Costo Lake Trail, #425, and trail #438. The lake is one and a half miles west of the junction with trail #438.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available: June through Early October .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking	Swampy Pass Trail	No
	Cold Water Fishing	Costo Lake	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Swampy Pass Trail, Costo Lake Trail, Lowline Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Costo Lake Trail, Swampy Pass Trail, Lowline Trail	No
	Stock Packing	Costo Lake Trail, Swampy Pass Trail, Lowline Trail	Yes
	Bird Identification	Costo Lake Trail, Swampy Pass Trail, Lowline Trail	Yes
	Plant Identification	Costo Lake Trail, Swampy Pass Trail, Lowline Trail	Yes
	Lakes & Reservoirs	Costo Lake	Yes
	Viewing Scenery	Costo Lake	Yes

Related Activities

Castle Creek - Castle Creek joins Ohio Creek approximately six miles south of Ohio Pass. This creek supports brook trout, brown trout and fair fishing.

Lowline Trail - This trail is a good access for the entire east side of the West Elk Wilderness and is an excellent trail for extended pack trips.

Mill Castle Trail - This trail goes through rugged terrain, but is one of the most scenic trails in the West Elk Wilderness.

Swampy Pass Trail - Swampy Pass Trail is a good access to the West Elk Wilderness from the Ohio Creek Road. The trail is very scenic.

More Information

Visitor Information:

Gunnison National Forest, 216 North Colorado , Gunnison, CO, 81230, Phone: 970-641-0471

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