Search routes & places
Blue Lake Trailhead


Log in and send us updates, images and resources

Blue Lake Trailhead

Located in the Roosevelt National Forest and provides access to trails in the Rawah Wilderness, in the southern portion of the Medicine Bow Mountain Range and the scenic Sawmill Basin.

Sawmill Creek Trail

Located 65 miles northwest of Fort Collins, the Sawmill Creek trail is accessed by parking at the Blue Lake Trailhead and walking south (uphill) on Highway 14 about 300 yards.  This trail system provides access to the scenic Sawmill Basin and eastern appraches to Chickadee, Grosbeak and Junco Peaks.  In the winter, this trail is (lightly) used for nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing.   Trips on this trail can be combined with the Blue Lake trail system to create loop trips by crossing the ridge (off-trail) between the two basins.

Blue Lake Trail

This trail leads to Blue Lake and Hang Lake. Blue Lake is located five miles from the trailhead. 

More information on this trail can be found here: 

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland - Sawmill Creek (usda.gov)

  • Suitable Activities: Avalanche Education, Backcountry Nordic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing/Splitboarding, Camping, Hiking, Snowshoeing, Trail Running
  • Snowshoeing Category: Intermediate
  • Seasons: Year-round
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Avalanche Terrain Rating Complex View avalanche forecast.
  • Length: 10.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft
  • 10,682 ft
  • Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service
    Rawah Wilderness Area, Canyon Lakes Ranger District (ARNF)
  • Parking Permit Required: USFS Permits & Passes
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
Map
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Blue Lake TH - Sawmill Creek Trail
  • Blue Lake TH - Blue Lake Trail
  • Blue Lake TH - Chickadee Peak
  • Blue Lake TH - Grosbeak Peak
Resources

There are no resources for this route/place. Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.