Colorado Durango

As others say in the reviews, this is a great hiking trail. Incredibly well marked by the city of Ouray. The fact that it's a loop gives you many different views and inclines and declines. Yesterday started out snowy but ended up being sunny. I would highly recommend spikes or microspikes, especially on the east side of the trail. I did the whole loop in about 2.5 hours with stops to take pictures.

Can be muddy in some parts but for the most part its all snow covered. BEAUTIFUL VIEWS and is one of my favorite hikes in Colorado so far. Definitely bring ice cleats because it is slick. I bought some off Amazon for 22 bucks in total and they have worked very well for icy hiking conditions.

Incredible views! 95% snow covered - wear spikes. Maybe saw 4 other people. Such a phenomenal hike.

Snowy & slippery & muddy & beautiful!

Def felt like 90% uphill. Lol! Bring spikes

Nice loop around Ouray! Beautiful mountain views all around. Didn't use spikes on 2/9/21, but some slick spots. A section of trail is closed south of town, when you cross over highway 550 by the ice park until April so we had to walk along the highway until we could hook back up on the trail at amphitheatre trailhead.

Packed snow with some slush and mud.

Hiked from hotel along Perimeter Trail to Ouray Ice Park. Tunnels, bridges, Box Canyon Falls, breweries and views for days!

Simply stunning. (Hiked in early Oct just before the fire)

Traction like spikes or Yaktrak are required for only one section of this hike, the north eastern section near Cascade Falls. The descent across from the hot springs is treacherous even with spikes on. The rest of the trail can be done without them, but you'll probably be sad. It's quite slippery and narrow at many points. The views are amazing. So incredible, can't recommend enough. There are lots of places to get off this trail if an area becomes too steep or you get tired. Don't bother bringing snowshoes as much of the trail is too narrow or rocky to use them.

My friends and I went on this trail when our original hiking plans fell through for my birthday and we had such an amazing time! We went in November and the mountains were snow capped and beautiful. I highly recommend this trail. The road up to the trail is a little daunting and rocky but we made it in a Mini Cooper Countryman.

Hiked this trail in the summer, but first time in the winter. Lots of fun. Nice to be so close to town. Great views around each corner. Highly recommend Yaktrax or similar as it gets slick out there.

Colorado, wow. You were absolutely breathtaking. And I absolutely loved every minute of this trail despite being out of breath the whole time. Elevation was no joke. You definitely need some sort of spikeys (that’s the new official name). And pretty early on too. I went through two cheap pairs from Walmart. Beautiful frozen over waterfall, deer, and lots and lots of snow. Loved it.

The Ice Lake Basin Trail is NOT under a permit system. It is closed temporarily due to fire-related hazards. See the official news release and closure information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices/?aid=62986 A permit system is being considered by recreation managers but it is not underway.

Stunning all across the board! We did this one in late august of 2019 and the conditions were absolutely perfect. We began at the blue lakes trail head and backpacked up to the upper blue lakes. We camped there on a Wednesday night and literally had the entire valley completely to ourselves. The next morning (Thursday), we left our camp with daypacks and continued up the steep switchbacks to the saddle.. We then took the southwest ridge up to the summit. This is a tough hike/climb with class 3 scrambling but nothing terribly difficult. Just take your time and use caution. There is some exposure on the upper section but nothing like you find on the peaks of the Elks range.. The views from the summit are almost indescribable.. Definitely quite a reward for all your efforts! Highly highly recommend.. Enjoy!