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AVALANCHE LAKE #1959
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Trail: Avalanche Lake #1959
Region: Crystal River Valley
Difficulty: moderate
Description: This trail runs along the cold, clear waters of Avalanche Creek for 11 miles and ends at Avalanche Lake. It is an enjoyable two or three day trip and yet some folks have been known to do it in one day. This route is moderately to heavily used and runs through aspen and conifer stands with flower-filled meadows throughout the trip. Periodically the vistas of Capitol, Clark and other peaks of the Elk Mountains will come into view. There are fine camping spots all along the route (stay 100 ft. from trail, streams and lakes) and fishing for native cutthroat trout is possible in the lake and the creek. The final two miles to Avalanche Lake is steep and camping is better right below the lake than at it. If you want to get to Capitol Lake, you will find the trail junction approximately 1/2 mile after you climbed the switchbacks. From the junction it is a steep one mile climb to Capitol Lake. To get to Silver Creek Pass, take the trail junction to the right a little more than 1/4 mile from the lake. The first mile is very steep but there are great views once you get up there.
Directions: From Carbondale, drive 12.5 miles south on Hwy 133. Turn left at Avalanche Creek sign and follow 2.5 miles past campground to the trailhead parking lot at the southeast end of campground.
Map: USGS Capitol Peak, Redstone


 
 

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