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Eagle Ranger District

Quick Facts

Heart Lake

Elevation:	10,708 Feet (3337.9 Meters)
Size:	480 Acres

Outfitters and Guides

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

AREA DESCRIPTION
Heart Lake is the largest lake on the Eagle Ranger District at 480 acres. It is at 10,708 feet and is surrounded by subalpine meadows and some spruce/fir forest. The shore vegetation consists of sedges, grasses and willows. There are numerous grassy islands and several have small trees. Shoals of silty mud comprise 10% of the lake's bottom. There is little fluctuation in the water level with a maximum depth of approximately 20 feet.

FISHING
Heart Lake offers fishing for brook trout only. Bank fishing is difficult, but the use of small boats improves fishing capabilities. The Colorado Division of Wildlife does stock the lake periodically with additional brook trout.

BOATING
Nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted on the lake. There is no boat ramp to launch boats from trailers. There are a couple of wide spots in the road to park.

CAMPING
If camping near the lake, please stay 100 feet from the water's edge and make sure campfires are DEAD OUT. There are no facilities at this lake.

Directions from Eagle: Travel 12 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Sweetwater/ Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go 1.8 miles, turning left onto the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this road for 28 miles, take a left at the sign. After 1/2 mile, take a right onto a rough road to the lake. Heart Lake can also be accessed by driving another 1/2 mile past Supply Basin Campground and taking another short rough road. There are a couple of wide spots in the road to park.

Directions from Vail: Travel 43 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Sweetwater/ Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go 1.8 miles, turning left onto the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this road for 28 miles, take a left at the sign. After 1/2 mile, take a right onto a rough road to the lake. Heart Lake can also be accessed by driving another 1/2 mile past Supply Basin Campground and taking another short rough road. There are a couple of wide spots in the road to park.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel 34 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Sweetwater/ Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go 1.8 miles, turning left onto the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this road for 28 miles, take a left at the sign. After 1/2 mile, take a right onto a rough road to the lake. Heart Lake can also be accessed by driving another 1/2 mile past Supply Basin Campground and taking another short rough road. There are a couple of wide spots in the road to park.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: July through September (NOTE: The Coffee Pot Road generally opens by the first week of July) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Iced over and few or no fish due to winterkill Updated: 2002-01-16 09:55:00.0

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Electric Powered & Non-Motorized Boating	Nonmotorized or electric powered boats permitted in Heart Lake. No gasoline powered boats allowed.	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Brook trout in Heart Lake	Yes
	Hiking & Walking		No
	Lakes & Reservoirs	Heart Lake	Yes
	Mountain Biking		Yes

Related Activities

Coffee Pot Road - The Coffee Pot Road, a gravel road which climbs over 4000 feet from the Colorado River, up onto the Flat Tops to Deep Lake, is a main access point for the south end of the Flat Tops.

Deep Lake - Deep Lake is a natural 37 acre lake at an elevation of 10,462 feet. Nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted on this cold water lake.

Deep Lake Campground - Deep Lake Campground sits on the edge of Deep Lake, at an elevation of 10,580 feet. It is the largest and most popular campground on the Eagle Ranger District.

Klines Folly Campground - This small campground with limited facilities is located near Heart Lake, on the Flat Tops.

Supply Basin Campground - This campground at 10,760 feet elevation, is located on the edge of a small lake on the Flat Tops in the Deep Lake/Heart Lake area.