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Aspen Ranger District

Quick Facts

Grizzly Lake Trail

Beginning Elevation:	10,560 Feet (3291.8 Meters)
Difficulty:	Moderate
Elevation Gain:	1,960 Feet (611.0 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	12,520 Feet (3902.7 Meters)
Length, One-way:	3.6 Miles (6.0 Kilometers) 5.8 km
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 127 Aspen, Independence Pass
Recommended Season:	Summer to Fall
Time, Round Trip:	4 - 5 Hours
Trail Number:	1,990
Usage:	Moderate
USGS Maps:	Independence Pass

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

The trail to Grizzly Lake is difficult to find in the early summer months. Snowshoes, or at least gators, are a good thing to have with you.

Copyright: Amy Pyle-Interactive Outdoors, Inc.
The trail to Grizzly Lake is difficult to find in the early summer months. Snowshoes, or at least gators, are a good thing to have with you.

This is a moderate climb with fair fishing at the lake. There is limited camping (stoves ONLY) at the lake due to the fragile alpine tundra, it's recommended that you camp below the timberline. The trail follows Grizzly Creek, ascending through spruce forest for the first 2 miles. The trail is moderate until the last 3/4 miles, where it becomes steep. The lake is not visible until you climb the last steep section. Early in the summer the last portion may still have snow.

Directions from Aspen: Drive 10 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82 to Lincoln Creek Road. Turn right and drive 6.1 miles on Lincoln Creek Road to Grizzly Creek Reservoir. The trailhead is on the left just after the reservoir, but before Portal Campground.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: June through September (NOTE: Gators and/or snowshoes are recommended for June hikers, as deep snow covers the highest section of the trail.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Winter Conditions. Beware of avalanche danger and hypothermia. Updated: 2002-12-23 14:36:00.0

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Filed By: Maureen (Aspen, CO)
Time of Day: 9am
Length of Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Greta hike for the perfect wilderness day
Conditions: Gorgeuosu sunny day - 65 degrees
Water Availability: Water available in 2 streams and lake-
Recommended Clothing: Shorts and T-shirt were fine
Suggested Accessories: Hiking poles, day pack, water, lunch and snack

Time of Day: 0600
Length of Time: 8 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: First part is moderate uphill to fairly level for a few miles through trees and fabulous wildflowers. Last part is steep and ends at lake with snow-covered peaks all around. Ate lunch there. Scenery is too beautiful to describe; peaks, valleys, streams, flowers, meadows, snow patches. Great!
Conditions: Patches of snow, no bugs, shady during walk through clumps of trees.
Water Availability: Two quarts was enough. No water along the way except stream.
Recommended Clothing: Wore shorts, t-shirt, sweat shirt, visor, carried poncho. Had sunscreen on it's very exposed. Good hiking boots are essential.
Suggested Accessories: No accessories

Difficulty: Easy
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: We did the hike last week of June,2000. Absolutely beautiful hike. As a heart attack victim 13 months ago, I prepared for this trip, and did very well. My Son from Boston did as well. The Lincoln Creek road without a doubt is the roughest road in America, but the hike was worth it. We camped three days in the Maroon Bells before making this hike.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking		Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Grizzly Lake	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Grizzly Lake Trail	Yes

Related Activities

Lincoln Creek Road, #106 - There is access to many activities along the first six miles of the road. The section of road from Grizzly Reservoir to the ghost town of Ruby is much less traveled and suitable only for hiking, mountain biking and 4 WD.

Portal Campground - Portal Family Campground is located east of Aspen on Lincoln Creek Road. Campers can access some wonderful day hikes from this location as well as terrain for motorcycle riding, mountain biking, ATV riding and horseback riding.