As Stand-Up Paddle boarding has exploded in popularity, the most convenient SUP spots along the urban corridor have become dramatically busier on hot summer weekends. One way to find solitude without having to drive for hours is by hiking to a mountain lake. Yes, you have to haul up an inflatable SUP as a form of entry tax. But what's important about the tax is not that you have to pay it; it's that few others will. SUP-packing to a secluded subalpine lake has a higher level of risk and commitment than places that are vehicle-accessible. Even so, with proper preparation, conditions assessment, and decision-making, hike-to SUP lakes can reward immensely.
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| Inflatable SUPs at their best (Upper Forest Lake) |
A detailed terrain map reveals that some areas of Colorado are gifted with more lakes than others. One region that boasts a lot water of bodies is the Indian Peaks west of Boulder. This band of small mountain lakes generally follows the east flank of the Continental Divide between Berthoud Pass and Trail Ridge Road. The lakes nestle within glacial basins that form the headwaters of the Clear Creek, Boulder, St.Vrain and Big Thompson watersheds. And there are a lot of lakes to choose from! July, August and September are great times to venture above the urban corridor to these cooler and more secluded paddle spots.
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| The many lakes of the IPW and JPW Map: [CPW Boatable Waters Map] |
Glacier Creek (Bear Lake Road)
[Rocky Mountain NP]
[Indian Peaks Wilderness]
[Indian Peaks Wilderness]
[James Peak Wilderness]
[Arapaho National Forest]
[Arapaho National Forest]
[Arapaho/Pike National Forests]
Hiking to a lake...why not bring a SUP?
Well, the first reason to not bring a SUP is the extra weight--which is certainly a valid reason! And that's pretty much the entirety of the list.
Now the reasons to consider bringing one along:
- Beautiful, pristine lakes
- Comparable to an overnight pack
- Having a whole lake to yourself
- Best mode of travel once at the water is on the water
- Smaller lake size means less wind effect
- There are hundreds of places in Colorado to do this!
Our first dabble in hike-to paddleboarding was at St. Mary's Lake. After having such a rewarding experience, we asked ourselves: Why wouldn't you bring an inflatable SUP on a Colorado mountain lake hike??
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| Diamond Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness |
Finding an adventure
There are LOTS of trail-accessible mountain lakes in Colorado. For us, 0.5 to 3 miles has proven to be a good, manageable range. We can reach a nice variety of lakes without getting too remote. We've shared plenty of SUP-hike ideas in various blog posts, linked in the intro and in the map above. The photos, maps and descriptions included within can hopefully give an idea of what to expect when exploring any of these places. However, there are many more paddle places to discover. Almost any mountain lake that serves as a day hike destination can become a personal SUP spot.
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| Trail to Hassell Lake |
If adventuring to a new place, a little bit of front-end due diligence is probably warranted. First of all, verify ownership of the destination waters. While most mountain lakes in Colorado are on public lands, there are a number of privately or municipally owned reservoirs that are scattered in the mix. Many of these private waters do not permit recreation, and the ones that do usually have their own rules and regulations. Some recreation areas, such as Brainard Lake or Rocky Mountain National Park, require a time window reservation and an entry fee. Do your homework ahead of time to avoid a rejection at the entry gate. If you have a four-legged paddling companion, check pet regulations. Wilderness areas require pets to be leashed at all times, and the national park prohibits them on trails entirely. And finally, understand your planned route. Fortunately, most of the prominent east-side trails in the Indian Peak are well-built and in good condition. However, some trails have steep, rocky sections that can be difficult or even hazardous with a bulky pack. There are plenty of paper and web-based trail guides, and it's prudent to do some quick research beforehand.
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| Upper Forest Lake in the James Peak Wilderness |
Equipment
These are the most basic items necessary to do a hike-to SUP adventure:
- Inflatable Sup
- Pack
- PFD, and pet PFD
- Pump
- Sturdy, supportive water shoes or sports sandal with good tread: Keen Footwear makes some water shoes that are well suited for SUP-packing. Alternatively, you could wear a trail shoe for the trek in and bring along a lightweight sandal for the water. But good hiking performance is essential.
- General day hiking essentials: water, food, extra layers, sun protection, first aid kit, etc...
- And ALWAYS ensure that all equipment is free of mud, dirt and organic material before bringing into the backcountry! This is where we all have an obligation as SUP afficianados to prevent the introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species into pristine waters.
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| St. Marys Lake |
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| Packing up at Shelf Lake |
Trip logistics and preparation
The wild and remote nature of a wilderness paddle gives heightened importance to trip planning and preparation. Below is a list of tips for a safe and successful outing:
- Bring layers. Snowstorms can blow in any month of the year. More on mountain weather in the next section...
- Keep a contour map on hand. The COTREX app and website are excellent. Just be sure to download data or take screenshots before leaving cell range.
- The Rocky Mountain and Boulder County Latitude 40 maps are great hard-copy alternatives in the case of a dead phone battery.
- Check to see if the lakes still has ice, and scope out the surrounding snow coverage on sentinelhub playground. Be sure to set the calendar to a recent date with unclouded imagery.
- A 2-blade kayak setup can come in handy if the wind picks up.
- Don't forget to bring a pump! A manual pump is probably a little more fail-safe than an electric one, but make sure it's in good working order and leak-free beforehand.
- If you bring an electric pump and battery, ensure that the battery has sufficient health to get to full inflation, or bring a back-up if your batteries are older. And double check that the valve is closed before inflating!
- Have a fully charged cellphone before starting, and maybe a battery. Check that location tracking or find-my-phone is on.
- Cell service is not reliable in the backcountry, but there are still occasional spots of reception or SOS function. It's still not a bad idea to send periodic, time-stamped text updates to friends or family on the outside because the messages can send off if you pass through a good ray of cell transmission.
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| Crater Lake |
Colorado's mountain weather
Weather in the high country is erratic, with a wider range of hazards than at lower elevations. Seasoned Colorado hikers generally have a sense on how to assess weather conditions, but here are some pointers for good measure:
- Lightning is probably the most serious risk above treeline. Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Incoming storms are not always visible from the basins that cradle mountain lakes, and it takes time to pack up and hike out. If clouds have rolled in, lightning is always a possibility.
- Rain can be very cold and drenching, especially during mid-summer thunderstorms.
- Snow can occur any month of the year.
- Wind tends to be variable throughout the day, and alternating stints of turbulence and relative calm are not unusual. If the wind picks up but the weather is otherwise pleasant, it may be worth waiting 20 minutes or so to see if it settles down.
- Even if it's a little breezy, which is common, the upwind corner of the lake can still harbor calm, pleasant waters. Take the time to scope out conditions on different shorelines after exerting all the effort to hike up.
- Use the point forecast feature on weather.gov; check that the elevation cited in the forecast is comparable (within a few hundred feet) to the destination's elevation.
- Study and screenshot the hourly graph to understand wind intensity, changes in direction, and potential onset of precipitation.
- Skim the text forecast to see if atmospheric conditions create elevated weather risks.
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| Crater Lake in the James Peak Wilderness |
Other safety considerations
In addition to the weather-centric advisories noted above, here are some more general safety considerations:
- A SUP pack is heavier and bulkier than a normal day-hiking pack, and it has a higher center of gravity. Getting it, and you, to the water without mishap requires a more focused, deliberate effort than hiking with a lighter bag.
- Mud is always present somewhere on the trail. Step carefully to avoid slipping.
- Be aware of wildlife! Moose have proliferated throughout the region and bears live here too.
- The sun is harsh at 10,000 feet. Bring sun protection.
- And once again, be AIS-aware. Always clean and dry equipment to prevent the spread of invasive organisms.
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| Morrow Point Reservoir, another hike-in SUP escape |
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| A SUP and a friend |
Many SUP adventures await in the heights of the Front Range. The numerous lake hikes of the Indian Peaks region offer a fantastic escape from city crowds on busy summer days. Before embarking, thoroughly understand the scope of your outing and the potential hazards that exist. Bring your good judgement, double-check the weather, and triple-check your gear. Most of all, have fun exploring and wear your PFD!
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