Name: Beaver Lake Out and Back
Rating: 3.8

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Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

From the start at Elk Track Rd to the base of Chair Lift #9/11, bikes and foot-traffic are allowed. Beyond Chair Lift #9/11 to the lake, the trail is for foot-traffic only.

There is no parking at the Turquoise Lake trailhead. You'll need to park in Beaver Creek Village and hike up the five sense trail or Elk Track road to get to the trailhead.

Overview

One of the more popular day runs in the area, this out and back makes for a great afternoon for the entire family.

Runner Notes

This trail is wide but can become crowded with other users.

Description

The popular Beaver Lake out and back route starts off rather unpleasantly through a Beaver Creek maintenance yard, but then becomes nicer as it parallels the namesake creek. This trail is often called the Beaver Lake trail, although it's official name is the Turquoise Lake trail. Though the surface is smooth and wide, there are a couple of steeper and rougher sections. You'll pass Beanos Cabin and continue the ascent up-valley through meadows and forest. This popular route ends at Beaver Lake (9746 ft.), a pristine mountain lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness, but the Turquoise Lake trail continues deeper into the wilderness ending at Upper Turquoise Lake.