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Run to a beautiful mountain lake and throw a peak in while you're there.


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Map Key

14.3

Miles

23.0

KM

84%

Runnable

13,054' 3,979 m

High

10,750' 3,277 m

Low

3,232' 985 m

Up

3,232' 985 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

110%

Max Grade (48°)

Dogs Off-leash

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

During the winter, the road is not plowed to Andrews Lake, only along 550. Navigation can also be an issue during winter as not many people attempt this route except to maybe ski off one of the Twilights.

Overview

Running through forests is good... running through forests to get to amazing views of mountains and high alpine lakes is great. Even better is climbing those mountains and seeing yet more mountains... Mountain running is fun!

Runner Notes

There is water from streams and from the lake that can be purified if you want. Some people may choose to backpack into Crater Lake and explore from there as a trail running trip.

Description

This run begins at Andrews Lake just south of Molas Pass on the Crater Lake Trail #623. This whole trail is highly used to Crater Lake, so there is no doubt what trail you should be on. The trail to Crater Lake is just under 5.5 miles, but it can feel long.

Take several switchbacks and gain some elevation before you make it to the first meadow. You'll seem to repeat yourself as you climb a "step", go into a meadow, and go back into the forest.

Run a little further and come to the first pond below Crater Lake. Continue just a little further, and you'll arrive at beautiful Crater Lake.

If you have arrived at Crater Lake and decide that wasn't enough... good! There are quite a few social trails and campsite trails to explore, and if you just stick to the lake for a quarter of a mile, you can then start making your way up the slope.

As you look up towards North Twilight, you should be looking at its north face. Make your way toward runner's right of the north face where you'll see a faint trail. The trail will take you along the ridge and then out onto the face. Again, this is a very steep trail so take the path of least resistance. The path marked on this route is only my interpretation of what the easiest route up is.

When you top out on the face, scramble/run the ridge to the top of North Twilight for yet more amazing views of the San Juans. Make your way back along the same route and back to Andrews Lake to complete the run.

Contacts

Shared By:

aaron moore with improvements by Greg Heil

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 13 votes

#2

in Silverton

#692

Overall
  4.8 from 13 votes
5 Star
85%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Silverton

#139

in Colorado

#692

Overall
6 Views Last Month
5,438 Since Apr 16, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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44%
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Photos

This is your reward after making your way through the first stretch of forest.
May 13, 2017 near Silverton, CO
Andrew's Lake at sunrise
Jul 21, 2018 near Silverton, CO
As the temperatures drop, a winter wonderland greets you at the trailhead for the Crater Lake Trail #623.
May 13, 2017 near Silverton, CO
Needles from Twighlight peak meadow
Jul 21, 2018 near Silverton, CO
Crater Lake with permission from dreamer 200
Apr 18, 2016 near Silverton, CO
Crater Lake -San Juan National Forest. with permission from eliot_garvin
Apr 19, 2016 near Silverton, CO

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Check-Ins

Jul 2, 2018
Kaylee M
a mile of getting to the peak is off trail from the lake and the last half mile up the ridge is quite steep with little trail to keep from falling 15.6mi
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