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Leadville Ranger District

Quick Facts

Colorado Trail (Halfmoon to Twin Lakes)

Beginning Elevation:	10,100 Feet (3148.4 Meters) Halfmoon Creek
Difficulty:	Easy to Moderate
Elevation Gain:	1,000 Feet (311.7 Meters) or less
Ending Elevation:	9,200 Feet (2867.8 Meters) Twin Lakes
Length:	6 Miles (10.0 Kilometers)
Trail Number:	1,776

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

This segment of the Colorado Trail begins in the Halfmoon Drainage and continues for approximately 6 miles to the Lakeview Campground above Twin Lakes. Along this section, you have access to the North Mount Elbert Trail, South Mount Elbert Trail and Lily Ponds. Then the trail continues under Highway 82 and around Twin Lakes to the dam, 4 miles. These two sections are easy to moderate hiking with less than 1,000 feet elevation gain.

Directions from Leadville: Northern Access: From Leadville, travel three miles west on US Highway 24. Take Colorado 300 west 3/4 of a mile to Lake County Road 11. Follow signs to Elbert Creek Campground. Begin hiking south from the Mt. Massive, Mt. Elbert trailhead, which is east of the campground.

Directions from Leadville: Southern Access: From Leadville travel south on US Hwy 24 to the junction of Colorado Highway 82. Travel west approximately 4 miles to Lake County Road 24. Turn right (north) on Lake County 24 and follow it approximately 1.1 miles to the scenic parking area just north of Lakeview Campground. The South Elbert Trail will follow the Colorado Trail (signs) heading north for 2.3 miles at which point the South Elbert Trail branches to the left (west ) climbing more steeply. The first 1.8 miles of trail can be traveled with a 4WD starting on Forest Road 125.1B just north of the parking area described above.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through September (NOTE: Snow may cover the trail at high elevations.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Hiking & Walking	Colorado Trail (Halfmoon to Twin Lakes)	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Colorado Trail - Halfmoon to Twin Lakes	Yes
	Mountain Biking	Colorado Trail - Halfmoon to Twin Lakes, some segments of the Colorado Trail exist in wilderness areas. Mechanized and motorized vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas.	Yes

Related Activities

Halfmoon Campground - All campsites in the Halfmoon Drainage are first come, first serve. Twenty-four sites are available in the Halfmoon East & West Campgrounds with the maximum RV length of sixteen feet.

Lakeview Campground - Lakeview Campground is located in the Twin Lakes area, but not immediately on the reservoir. Lakeview is the closest developed campground to the South Mt. Elbert Trailhead.

Lily Ponds Trail - This is a nice stroll, great for morning or evening wildlife viewing and birding or fishing.

Mt. Elbert - Mt. Elbert at 14,433 ft elevation is the highest point in Colorado. It is the second highest mountain in the adjacent 48 states.

Mt. Elbert - Mt. Elbert at 14,433 ft elevation is the highest point in Colorado. It is the second highest mountain in the lower 48 states.

Mt. Massive - Mount Massive is the second highest peak in Colorado and is appropriately named, with seven summits over 14,000 feet. Elevation of the highest peak is 14,421 feet.