Surprise Lake via Cross Creek Trail is a 5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Minturn, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and horses and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Roads leading to this trailhead are subject to seasonal closure.
January 30, 2021Nice easy climb from car park to the trail head
December 12, 2020Great hike! Heads up that there’s a gate about 1.4 miles from the trailhead on Forest Road 707 that is closed 11/22-6/21 (dates may change depending on the snow amounts). We hiked up the road to the trailhead and long the trail for a few miles. Make for a longer approach to the trail head but didn’t bother us. The road had a number of people in it but no one once we got going on Cross Creek Trial. We had micro spikes which worked great in the 5-6” power. Could definitely skin up 707 but actual trail too narrow and windy for skis. Didn’t need shoe shoes for our hike but would be helpful when more snow comes.
November 15, 2020Nice snow cover and our yak tracks and poles were helpful. Beautiful vistas both up and down the trail. We hiked 5.8 miles round trip and still were quite a ways from Surprise Lake. friendly. Surprise
November 8, 2020Due to snow melt the trail was pretty muddy in areas but was able to avoid it for the most part. Didn’t read it thoroughly ended up thinking the total out and back was 5.2 lol so only did half of it, now I gotta go back sometime. The views were great, some of it kinda reminds me of a mini Zion. The forest was really nice too with some large aspens and pines, would camp here too
November 8, 2020Fresh 2 inches of snow last night. Was beautiful with the pines and hillside coated in fresh powder. The gravel road to trailhead was driveable but slick. Best to hike in yaktrax and with poles as plenty of little ups and downs on the trail. Really nice little hike to Surprise lake and back, about 2.5 hrs at relaxed pace.
November 1, 2020Great!!!
October 31, 2020October 31, 2020October 24, 2020Beautiful views and aspen groves! Easy to access and super quiet if you go early in the morning
October 24, 2020October 21, 2020Trail is great. Lots of everything in this hike. More about the journey rather than destination. Still LOTS of great things along the way.
October 13, 2020This is a good trail to do during the week. I wouldn't do it on a weekend simply because the parking lot is small, so it would fill quickly. I went on a Monday and was surprised how crowded it was. Granted, it's a short hike, and relatively easy. The lake is more of a pond, really. I didn't even see it from the trail and walked right past it.
October 12, 2020Not too intermediate!! Very picturesque.
October 12, 2020October 10, 2020October 10, 2020October 10, 2020Beautiful views!
October 5, 2020Absolutely amazing. Perfect weather, October 5 2020
October 4, 2020October 4, 2020Nice trail with lots of shade - an evergreen forest, then meadow and Aspen Grove with some pretty views of Holy Cross mountain. You don't really go very close to the creek so that is the downside. Overall, a nice hike.
October 2, 2020October 1, 2020October 1, 2020September 29, 2020September 29, 2020beautiful
