Emerald Lake via Pine River Trail

There are many Emerald lakes it seems in the SW Colorado area but none is more impressive than the one up the Pine River Valley. A 10 mile hike and you are at one of the best fishing spots in the area. Start by driving out towards Vallecito Lake and following the road around the lake. The road will continue on past a few campgrounds and up the Pine River valley. You will reach a decent sized parking lot at the end of the road; this is the trail head. Park, sign the register and off you go.

The first section of the trail is across private land. After 2.3 miles you will be passed the Granite Peaks Ranch property and into the Weminuche Wilderness. Continue along this trail for another 5 miles until you reach the bridge. From here the trail can get kind of tricky. There will be a fork which for some reason many people miss but stay to your left and go up hill and you should be fine. If you do not find yourself going uphill a half mile after the bridge, you went the wrong way.

The trail should start getting steeper and you should start slowing down a bit. I have made it to the bridge in just under 2 hours only for it to take me an additional 2 and a half hours to go the last 3 miles. Another note, the bridge is a good place to refuel before starting the climb up. The trail up is in great shape depending on how much rain and horses have been traveling it. Once you get to the top Little Emerald Lake will be the first water you hit. There is a campground just before the lake, spots are tough to get during the summer months but if there are none available, there is another campground about 2 miles from you up the trail. Below is a picture of little Emerald Lake.

The lake is an amazing place to visit. I go with a group of friends in the early fall as our last trip of the year. We have not been snowed on yet but it has come close. Last year it was so warm that we were swimming in the lake everyday. The fishing up here is outstanding as I mentioned earlier but no bait is allowed; flies and spinners only.