Little Echo Lake

About Little Echo Lake

Echo Lake Park is located just one hour west of Denver and is one of the most beautiful parks in the United States, with Echo Lake State Park at its heart, the largest park in Colorado, with over 1,000 acres of open space. Echo Lake is a popular destination for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and fishing.

The shallow Echo Lake is stocked with rainbow trout every year and is a great place for fly fishermen to take a short warm-up hike in fine weather. It is a welcome cooling from the heat of a hot summer day at 3500 meters altitude, which is cooler than at lower altitudes.

Most visitors to Echo Lake come to the top of Mt. Evans, considered the highest asphalt road in North America. The road is only passable at the end, but the 400-meter path at the end of the road can reach the peaks of Mount Evans in less than an hour and offers great views over the lake, the mountain itself and the valley below.

Surrounded by subalpine, bristle-resistant climbing pines, this small lake is filled with snow melt and natural precipitation and has no permanent drain. Many visitors choose to walk around the lake, which is bedridden and offers a great view of Mt. Evans, reflected in the surface of the lake.

A wetland at the eastern end of the lake provides shelter for small animals and birds. A small primitive campsite in Echosee Park is managed by the forest administration, and reservations are recommended, as the campsite can only accommodate eleven campers and seven tents. Officially it is open from June to August, but reservations can be made in advance for the summer months.

In the parking lot at the western end of Echowsee is a stone picnic hut built in the 1930s, and the amenities include hand-pumped drinking water. The campsite is located near the seasonal visitor centre, which offers a restaurant and souvenirs. The 616 hectare Echo Lake Park is accessible by car, as there is a parking lot at the eastern and western end of Echo Lake, which costs $5 per hour.
Other hiking trails that start at Echo Lake include the Chicago Lakes Trail, Echowsee Trail and Lake Elkhorn Trail. The Chicago Lake Trail starts at the eastern end of the park and leads to Great Lakes National Park and Lake Tahoe National Recreation Area. It is the largest of its kind in the United States, connecting the city of Chicago, Illinois, with Lake Superior, Michigan, a major tourist destination.

Cycling fans can ride the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, which is snow-ploughed - free and open to cars. Many of the trails start easy and lead to more difficult sections as the altitude increases. Anyone planning a trip to Echo Lake or any other part of the Lake Tahoe National Recreation Area will need a permit issued by the company.

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway reaches the treeline on the north side of Echo Lake, while the alpine tundra surrounds the rest of the journey. The Walter Pesman Alpine Garden forms the border between the two zones, where the oldest bristly pines of the area can be found. This intermediate alpine trail offers an insight into the wonderful old survivors who thrived in such a harsh environment. Although the elevation difference of 3500 feet is difficult, it is a ride for physically fit people.

Small Alpine flowers bloom on the summit and numerous hiking trails allow visitors to see these rare flowers up close without deviating from the marked path, which can damage the fragile environment.

The upper foothills of the Byway are home to a variety of wildflowers and one of the best places to see native mountain goats. The summit of Mt. Evans is located on one of Colorado's most popular hiking trails, the Mountain Goat Trail.

Although Echo Lake Park is part of the Denver Mountain Park system, many visitors head to the old mining town of Idaho Springs, where the Mount Evans Scenic Byway begins. Visitors to EchoLake Park can call it home or miss one of Colorado's most popular hiking trails, the Mountain Goat Trail.

The attractions and history of the area still contain the remains of a golden age of gold diggers. Tourists can still dig for gold in Echo Lake Park, but there is little left to do that makes it difficult to continue gold mining.

The historic Indian Hot Springs, now used as a commercial resort, are still open to visitors and still include the original gold mining and old gold mine, as well as many other historic sites.

Staying at a local campground or guest house is not a long-term option, there are a variety of accommodations in Idaho Springs to pamper the returning weary hiker. If you are in the Idaho Springs area, you can stay at one of the many guest houses, hotels or other accommodations. With its beautiful scenery, picturesque views and invigorating mountain atmosphere, it is a place for outdoor adventure.

So drive along the scenic back roads, visit beautiful Echo Lake and enjoy the many adventures that await you in Idaho Springs.