Lake San Cristobal - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Lake San Cristobal Overlook perches above the east side of Lake San Cristobal, offering views across Colorado’s second largest natural lake, the Slumgullion Earthflow, and the surrounding San Juan Mountains.A variety of trout live in the cold waters of this lake. You can fish from any of the public access areas of the shore. Boats, including canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats, are available for rent from local businesses.

The Lake City Ski Hill is a great place to learn to ski or practice your turns, on skis or snowboard. With 14 skiable acres, six trails, and one terrain park, the ski hill isn’t huge.It’s a locals’ mountain with several runs and a small warming hut. Situated in Lake City, a picturesque alpine town, there is plenty of lodging and places to eat. Tucked away on the Silver Thread Scenic Highway, it’s perfect for those looking to escape any crowds.

Slumgullion Pass is an ultra-high mountain pass with an elevation of 11,530 ft. The north side has the steepest grade of any continuously paved road in Colorado, but the pass does not close often in winter because snowplows clear the route regularly during this season. The real Slumgullion Pass sits at about 200 feet lower in elevation on a ridge to the north and is inaccessible by vehicle, although the summit is referred to as “Slumgullion Pass.”

Spring Creek Pass is an easily accessible high mountain pass along the Continental Divide in Hinsdale County. It serves as a trailhead for two popular trails with a common route in this area, the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

Redcloud is the 46th highest peak in Colorado and is usually climbed in conjunction with Sunshine Peak. The mountain gets its name from the beautiful red coloring of the peak. The peak is mostly Class 1 along trails but a bit of scree later in the hike make it a class 2 hike.

Continental Reservoir is a large irrigation impoundment located south of Lake City, in the center of Hinsdale County, Colorado. The Continental Reservoir has a fluctuating surface elevation of roughly 10,300 feet, with nearly 150 acres of pristine blue water tucked into picturesque Rocky Mountain wilderness.