DIFFICULT 3.6 mi. 2. Total elevation gain approximately 2000ft) Trail Length: Officially I saw everything from 9-10 miles, my fitbit said we went 11 miles but we did walk around the upper lake a lot. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. From Idaho Springs take W. Chicago Creek trail south to Echo Lake. 3. Clear Creek Ranger District 101 Chicago Creek Road P.O. You will pass through an old burn area where in 1978, 400 acres burned in the Reservoir Fire. The downside of the Chicago Lakes hike is that in includes a mile of monotonous road walking followed by another mile through the scorched remains of an old forest fire. If you're looking for the best trails in Indiana Dunes National Park, we've got you covered. Evans, which is currently closed, and circles around Echo lake before truly starting. I climbed a steep grassy slope (.6 mile, +1200 FT) out of the Chicago Lakes basin, and down a gentle 200 feet drop to Summit Lake. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wonderfully private and scenic trail favored by backpackers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and skiers. Looking for a great trail near Chicago, Illinois? The Chicago Lakes Trail begins at Echo Lake (west side), 13.25 miles south of I-70 on HWY 103. The trail continues to the upper lake, above treeline. Chicago Lakes Trail. Two Years Alone in the Wilderness | Escape the City to Build Off Grid Log Cabin - Duration: 1:31:40. The overlook platform is half a mile round trip along a wheelchair friendly path. From here the trail will descent in switchbacks for 300ft until it joins the Chicago Lakes Trail, which is a dirt road for the first mile until slightly past the Idaho Springs Reservoir at 10617ft. Elevation Profile. Indiana Dunes National Park on the Greet Lakes. 12:45. From Evergreen, take Squaw Pass Road to Echo Lake. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. AllTrails has 34 great hiking trails, trail running trails, kid friendly trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. This photograph shows Mount Evans in the distance. Evans 6, Fatman 2. Chicago Lakes Trail. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. The lakes sit in a classic glacier-carved valley and offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. Seasonal Popularity. The Chicago Lakefront Trail (LFT) is a 18.5-mile-long (29.8 km) partial shared use path for walking, jogging, skateboarding, and cycling, located along the western shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois.The trail passes through and connects Chicago's four major lakefront parks along with various beaches and recreational amenities. Chicago Lakes Trail to Resthouse TR 57. Elevation Profile. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. Echo Lake is really pretty, and the hike to the Chicago Lakes is alright. The portion of the trail leading to Idaho Springs Reservoir is a local favorite for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You’ll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. The scenery is mountains and trees, and the lakes were quite pretty with the mountains in the backdrop. Final Score Mt. It is all part of the Chicago Lakefront Trail, an 18.5-mile-long path located along the western shore of Lake Michigan that is used for walking, jogging, cycling, scootering and skateboarding. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. Getty. DIFFICULT 8.0 mi. Lower Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. Starting Elevation: 10,650 ( Lowest point of the hike 10,320). 1. Now the real fun started. The Chicago Lakes Trail #52. They also noted that the relatively narrow, low-lying, frequently swamped Lakefront Trail, juxtaposed with eight-lane Lake Shore Drive several feet above it, is a metaphor for our national transportation priorities. Turn right and begin following the Chicago Lakes Trail #52. On the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan sits one of the newest National Parks: Indiana Dunes National Park.Explore 50 miles of trails … The first Chicago Lake sits just at treeline. The lakes are set in a stunning valley beneath the shadown of Mount Evans (14,265’). This is a popular breeding area for big horn sheep and mountain goats in the late spring and early summer, so keep an eye out for them on the valley walls. This is another longer hike so I will break it down in section. Royalty-Free Stock Photo. Follow the sign towards the Chicago Lakes Trail (west). You'll essentially skirt the southern boundary of Echo Lake. Here Chicago Creek is dammed to form the Idaho Springs Reservoir. The trail eventually leads to the Lower and Upper Chicago Lakes. EASY 4.0 mi. The Bloomingdale Trail; Building a New Chicago; COVID Mobility Feedback. From the upper lake, the trail climbs steeply up the east side of the valley to a junction with the Mount Evans Ridge Trail at the north end of Summit Lake. Send us an email at covidmobility@cityofchicago.org to tell us how COVID has impacted getting around your neighborhood. The Chicago Lakefront Trail is a paved, 18-mile pathway with the lake on one side, parks on the other and spectacular views of the Chicago skyline all the way. Chicago’s scenic Lakefront Trail is an 18-mile paved path that follows the Lake Michigan shoreline on the city’s eastern edge. Both lakes offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. This will be the easy part of the hike for the trail then climbs upward the remaining three miles. Alternate Routes. Kevan Dee 2 years, 5 months ago Echo lake run. While the views from there are spectacular, Summit Lake itself is a wonderful example of the alpine environment. Mount Bierstadt. BigDirty 901 views. The trailhead is located at 10,600'; the final destination is at 11,800'. Many people on the trail, and when I got back to the parking lot, there were a lot of cars in the parking lot and on the road. Chicago Lakes Trail (#52) Leaving from Echo Lake, the trail goes downhill for the first mile. The site is secure. The trail to the second lake, above treeline, is difficult to follow at times and is very steep. To start, Echo Lake is gorgeous. Contact Information . Seasonal Popularity. Highest Elevation: 11,740 ( Lower lake at 11,420ft. Nearby Hiking Trails. The first mile of the trail switchbacks down to a creek crossing. Yet the sun beams gloriously many a cloudless day in midwinter, casting long lance shadows athwart the dazzling expanse.” – John Muir, Mountains of California. Alpine lakes and stunning vista are not always locked away in the back country. Description: The Chicago Lakes Trail is a great hiking opportunity and location in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. The route follows the Chicago Lakes trail up to the higher of the two lakes. The trailhead is located at 10,600′; the final destination is at 11,800′. Took about 2 hours 15 mins to get to Upper Chicago Lake and 1.5 hrs back down. Chicago Lakes Trail No. Nearby Hiking Trails. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a City of Chicago government site. Dogs are allowed on the trail if leashed. From the trailhead, pick up one of the numerous social trails heading southwest. 1. West Chicago Creek Campground via Hells Hole Trail. The weather in the Mount Evans Wilderness can change rapidly; be prepared for high winds, snow, rain, hail, and intense sunlight. You get an appetizer of a view of the Chicago Lakes basin from the trail, just a taste of whats to come in 4 miles. jmartinez 5 months ago Track (6/22/20, 8:12:32AM) Dan Matthews 1 year, 11 months ago Echo Lake to Summit Lake. Chicago Lakes Trail. Most of the birds have gone down below the snow-line, the plants sleep, and all the fly-wings are folded. Echo Lake to reservoir section. The Chicago Lakes hike can be accessed on the road to Mt. You can walk, jog or bike (using the city's Divvy bike-share program or other rental concession) along the trail and take in the sights of 13 neighborhoods and four parks, plus beaches, public art, gardens and boardwalks. Directions: The trail to the Chicago Lakes starts at the Echo Lake picnic area. The upper lake is a great place to rest and have lunch. Turn right down the first dirt road on your right and continue .25 miles to the parking area. After refueling, you can continue the trail up the southern ridge to Summit Lake to properly finish the Chicago Lakes Trail. Download preview. The Chicago Portage was an ancient portage that connected the Great Lakes waterway system with the Mississippi River waterway system. Traveled: Traveled: Chicago Lakes Trail (6,234′) “Hushed now is the life that so late was beating warmly. Fortunately, the fire stopped short of the lakes themselves, and it is the last mile of the trail that really makes the hike worthwhile. 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