Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

Recreation - TURQUOISE LAKE

ATTRACTIONS AND HISTORY

Turquoise Lake was named for the semi-precious stone that was mined in the surrounding area. Most of the mining activity took place in the 1930's when two Navaho Indians discovered nearly a thousand pounds of rough material in the area. The turquoise was found in veins and in nodule form at the Turquoise Chief Mine and Poor Boy Lode. Today, much of the area outside the lake is privately owned, so please be respectful of their rights.

Turquoise Lake Reservoir is located 4 miles west of Leadville. At 10,000 feet, the weather can vary tremendously. Summer temperatures range from 30 degrees nighttime to an occasional 80 degree day. The average daytime temperature is 65 degrees. Weather can change quickly, a hot day can turn to a drenching downpour in a matter of minutes!

Turquoise Lake plays an important part in the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Authorized in 1962, the project consisted of the expansion of the original diversion of the Fryingpan River through the old Busk-Ivanhoe Tunnel after the abandonment of the Colorado Midland Railroad. The project provides water to the residents east of the Rockies and power to all of Colorado, as the water is pumped through the Mount Elbert Power Plant at Twin Lakes.

When the project was expanded, an additional tunnel, the Charles Boustead Tunnel brought water to be stored behind Sugar Loaf Dam from the western slope. From Turquoise Lake, the water travels through a conduit to the Twin Lakes Forebay. The Busk-Ivanhoe Tunnel, which was used by the Colorado Midland Railroad, was renamed the Carlton Tunnel when it was opened to auto traffic in 1922. In the 1940's, the tunnel caved in, but the bore was reopened to repair the flume for the water diversion project.

"When the Fryingpan-Arkansas project was undertaken, Turquoise Lake was enlarged to a capacity of seventy thousand acre feet in order to store the water coming in" (Simmons 296). Today the expanded Turquoise Lake serves as one of the most popular recreation areas in Lake County.

REFERENCES
Simmons, Virginia McConnell. The Upper Arkansas, A Mountain River Valley. Boulder: Puett Publishing Co., 1990. Pp. 141, 295-297.

CAMPING

Camping at Turquoise Lake is only allowed only in the campgrounds. Dispersed camping is prohibited around the lake. Most of the campsites are under the Biosphere's reservation system. Reserve your site well in advance, Turquoise Lake campgrounds fill up most weekends throughout the summer. Each campground has a manager to help you with your needs. If you have not paid your fees through the reservation system, they can be paid at the self-pay fee station located at the entrance of each campground. Campsites not reserved revert to first come, first serve. All campgrounds are equipped with drinking water, toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Dump stations for RVs are available near Molly Brown and Printer Boy Campgrounds.

*Fees cover one vehicle and a maximum of 10 people. Additional vehicles are charged an additional ½ the camping fee.

**Group Sites begin at $35.00 minimum.

For National Forest Campground Reservations call 1-800-280-2267.

Firewood is available from campground manager for $4.00 per bundle.

DISPERSED CAMPING

MINIMAL IMPACT CAMPING TECHNIQUES:

• Plan your trip, know what it is you wish to experience, think about the time of year and expected weather. This is part of the outdoor adventure and should always be your first step. After you have selected the area you would like to visit, contact the Leadville Ranger District for answers to any questions you might have and to learn about any special regulations in the area.

• Concentrate your impacts in heavily used areas. Many of the areas that are easily accessible receive heavy use during the summer months. Select sites that are well established rather than creating a new site. If there is a fire ring at the area don't build a new one, sometimes that means that you will have to clean out the old fire ring (don't forget that collapsible shovel). We all have to do our part to keep these areas open for folks who prefer this type of experience.

• Camp at least 100 feet from water. This practice is important for a variety of reasons. A campsite located on stream banks or lakeshores can create visual impacts and detract from the sense of solitude. Accordingly, it is also important that you camp far enough from roads and trails that the site is screened from other campers. By camping close to water you risk contaminating the water. Remember, water is very important to the wildlife who live in the area, they need easy access to and from water sources and your presence may disturb their normal behavior.

• Pack it In, Pack It Out. Dispersed areas do not have trash services and rarely receive clean-up services. Please don't put glass or aluminum (even those food packages that appear to be made of paper often have foil liners that don't burn) into the fire. This practice is unsightly and makes the site less attractive to the next user. All food scrapes and trash should be taken home with you, or take it to the nearest landfill if you are on a long journey.

• Properly Dispose of Human Waste. This isn't something you were taught in school, maybe it should have been. Human feces not properly disposed of is not only unsightly, but can actually create health hazards. Catholes are the most widely accepted method of backcountry human waste disposal (again, that collapsible shovel comes in handy).

1. Select a site that is far from any water sources, 300 feet is a good, safe distance. The site should be inconspicuous and where someone would not naturally be walking. If you are camping with a large group or camping in the same site for more than one night, you should spread the cathole sites over a large area. Try to find a spot with deep organic material, which will help decompose the feces. If possible, locate your cathole where it will receive maximum sunlight, this will also aid in decomposition. Choose an elevated site where water would not normally pool.
   

2. Now you're ready to dig. Your hole should be 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter. If you hit a rock our root which prevents you from reaching the correct depth, you should find another site (early planning comes into play). Toilet paper is a strong attractant to small rodents and should be packed home with your other trash. When finished, the cathole should be filled in with the previously removed dirt and disguised with native materials.

• Campfire building and wood collection. Campfires were once thought to be a necessity and are steeped in history and tradition. Attitudes toward campfires are changing. The new perception of their use is a direct result of the past misuse of campfires and the sometimes ugly and negative impacts caused when fires are built incorrectly, built in the wrong locations or left unattended. If you choose to have a campfire, you are choosing a very large responsibility.

1. Your first step is to choose a location for your fire. If there is an existing fire ring, use it. If it is in a bad location, move it to a better location and clean up all remnants in its original location. Never place a campfire within the radius of the largest branches on a tree. Fire can actually travel through the tree's root system and cause a forest fire. Never build a fire close to a rock or other natural object where the fire will scorch the object and leave lasting impacts of your visit.

2. Finally, remember to clean up after your fire. The intent is to get other campers to use the same fire ring. Cleaning up the fire ring of any food waste and trash, burning wood completely and scattering the cooled coals and ashes will make it more likely that it will be used again.

HIKING

Mileage is measured one way, unless otherwise indicated.

Colorado Trail

Two sections (#9 and #10) of the Colorado Trail can be accessed in the Turquoise Lake Area. Segment #9 can be accessed from the Bear Lake Road (Forest Road #107) and the parking lot of the Timberline Lake Trailhead, where section #9 ends and #10 begins. This entire segment of trail passes through the Holy Cross Wilderness, mountain biking is therefore not permitted. Segment #10 can also be accessed from the Hagerman Pass Road (Forest Road #105) approximately 1.2 mile from it's junction with the Turquoise Lake Road. Segment #10 continues for 11.5 miles to Halfmoon Creek with an elevation change of less than 1,000 feet for moderate hiking. Approximately 1 mile south of the Hagerman Pass Road, the trail enters the Mount Massive Wilderness Area, mountain bikers will have to bypass this area.

Midland Trail

5.5 miles (round trip). This is a moderately easy loop in the Hagerman Pass area. The trailhead is accessed by a relatively rough dirt road with the last ¼ mile passable only with 4WD or on foot. This is a great walk for those with an interest in railroad and western history. A separate information sheet is available. It is also a spectacular place to view wildflowers. Portions of this trail enters the Mount Massive Wilderness Area, mountain biking is prohibited.

Windsor Lake Trail

1.6 miles. This trail accesses Windsor Lake in the Mount Massive Wilderness. The trailhead is accessible from the Hagerman Pass Road (Forest Road #105). This trail has an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet in a relatively short distance.

Native Lake/Highline Trail

4.2 miles to Native Lake, 9.4 to Leadville National Fish Hatchery. Trailhead is accessed from the Hagerman Pass Road (Forest Road #105). Although much of this trail is below tree line, there are segments above tree line with high exposure. Use extra caution. Native Lake is catch and release fishing only.

Timberline Lake Trail

2.2 miles. Accesses Timberline Lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness. This is open to foot traffic only. The native Greenback Cutthroat Trout has been reintroduced into this lake, fishing is catch and release only.

Turquoise Lake Trail

6.4 miles. The trail runs from the Sugar Loaf Dam to May Queen campground, paralleling the shoreline of Turquoise Lake. The section of trail from the dam to Tabor Boat Ramp is 2.2 miles of easy hiking, passing by many picnic areas and campgrounds. The remainder of the trail offers moderate hiking with spectacular views of the Turquoise Lake basin. A separate sheet is available for further information.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Please remember when mountain biking on National Forests that Wilderness Areas are by regulation, permanently closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles- which includes mountain bikes! Please be aware of this and respect the Wilderness Areas.

St. Kevin Loop

(Forest Roads 103, 107 & 104) 9 mile loop. Park at the Snowmobile parking area located on the east side of the Arkansas River at the North portal entrance to Turquoise Lake. To begin your ride, travel west toward the Turquoise Lake Road, just past the river, take a right on the dirt road (Forest Road 103) follow this dirt road for 5 miles to forest road 107. Take a left on forest road 107 and follow it to the paved Turquoise Lake Road. Turn left on the paved road and follow it back to the North Portal. At this three way intersection take a left, this will bring you back to the parking area.

Turquoise Lake Trail

6.4 miles one way. Please be aware that this trail is heavily used by hikers, runners and anglers, watch your speed and stay under control at all times. Individuals on foot have the right of way, it is your responsibility to allow them to pass safely. Although the difference between the highest and lowest points along this trail is only 80 feet, rolling terrain offers plenty of challenge and excitement.

Hagerman Pass

7.3 miles to the top of pass from the Turquoise Lake Road. The first 3.5 miles of road are passable by 2WD vehicles, the remainder is open to four wheel drive vehicles. Be prepared for these encounters. This route is very rocky and it is recommended that your bike be fitted with shocks for greater enjoyment. Spectacular views and outrageous wildflowers make the rough ride well worth the effort.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

Forest Service roads open to motorized vehicles are posted with white arrows. Wilderness areas such as Collegiate Peaks and Mount Massive are by regulation, permanently closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles, including mountain bikes. Mileage is measured one way, unless otherwise indicated.

Hagerman Pass (Forest Road 104)
Length: 7.3 miles from Turquoise Lake Road to the pass. 22.5 miles from Turquoise Lake Road to Nast, CO (beginning of pavement on east side of pass)
Road Beginning and End: Begins on the south side of Turquoise Lake about 4 miles west of the Sugar Loaf Dam and continues on to the White River National Forest past Ruedi Reservoir and onto State Highway 82 at Basalt.
Description: Although not one of the more difficult passes in the area, four wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. At the top of the pass, 12,075 feet, there are great views of the Turquoise Lake area to the east and the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness to the southwest.
Good scenic drive for viewing wildflowers, pikas and marmots. Just east of the pass, look to the south over Hagerman Lake to see remnants of the Colorado Midland Railroad.
Hiker Access To: Colorado Midland Trail, Colorado Trail, Native Lake and Windsor Lake.

Bear Lake (Forest Road 107)
Length: 4.5 miles
Road Beginning and End: Begins on the north side of Turquoise Lake. Ends at the Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary just east of Bear Lake.
Description: Fairly easy, although steep, four wheel drive road through lodgepole pine and spruce/fir forests. Great views and hiking access from the end of the road.
Hiker Access To: Colorado Trail Segment #9

FISHING

Bear Lake - Fair fishing of cutthroat and brook trout. Standard regulations
Galena Lake - Fair fishing of cutthroat and brook trout. Standard regulations
Lake Fork Creek - Within the Holy Cross Wilderness flies and lures only. Catch and release only, as it is a greenback cutthroat trout restoration area.
Timberline Lake - Greenback cutthroat restoration area. Good fishing. Artificial flies and lures only. Catch and release only.
Turquoise Lake - Standard limit, eight trout. Limit one mackinaw, under 22 or over 34 inches. Stocked with rainbow trout and kokanee. Other species include brown, cutthroat, and brook trout. Fair to good fishing.

PICNICKING

Picnic season begins in May and continues to October. The grounds are equipped with tables, toilets, fireplaces and trash collection. Camping is prohibited in these areas. Day-use only. Close at 10:00 p.m.
Lady of the Lake
Maid of Erin

WILDERNESS ACCESS

Holy Cross Wilderness Area is accessed from the Bear Lake Road and the west end of the lake at the Timberline Lake Trailhead.

Mount Massive Wilderness Area can be accessed from the Hagerman Pass Road at the Colorado Trail or from the Native Lake, Windsor Lake and Colorado Midland trailheads.