20 Attractions to Explore Near Powderhorn Lakes

Calf Creek Plateau is a mountain in the northern San Juan Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The easiest route to the summit starts at the Powderhorn Lakes Trailhead located at the northern edge of the wilderness area.All these routes begin in subalpine forests before emerging into the scenic alpine landscape of the Powderhorn Wilderness.

The Powderhorn Wilderness is a protected area located in the southwestern part of the US state of Colorado. it is an important watershed for the Gunnison River. The area protects the East, Middle, and West forks of Powderhorn Creek, which merge and then have a confluence with Cebolla Creek. There are six trailheads that provide access to the wilderness. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude.

Cannibal Plateau is a summit in Hinsdale County, Colorado in the United States. It is composed of basaltic lava flows of the Hinsdale Formation, which are dated as 16 to 19 million years old. The easiest route to the summit starts at the Powderhorn Lakes Trailhead located at the northern edge of the wilderness area. All these routes begin in subalpine forests before emerging into the scenic alpine landscape of the Powderhorn Wilderness.

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.”

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.

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.

Lake San Cristobal is colorado’s second largest natural body of water. IT was formed about 700 years ago when the first Slumgullion Earthflow, a natural landslide, created a dam across the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. It hosts activities year round, with boating, camping and fishing popular in the summer, and ice fishing and skating in the winter. Many old silver mines are near the lake and it is very clean and well kept, and stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Baldy Cinco is one summit in a group of four 13ers located on the north end of Snow Mesa - a vast, high altitude plateau east of Spring Creek Pass.The mountain, a thirteener, is located on the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains. Different areas of the slopes of Baldy Cinco lie in the Rio Grande National Forest, the La Garita Wilderness, and the Gunnison National Forest.

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.

A good trekking destination located in the heart of Hisdale forests and is generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 27 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, trail running, and walking.

Uncompahgre Peak is the 6th highest mountain in Colorado, with a great route up to it’s summit. Hiking Uncompahgre Peak is long and tiring, however you can shave off a good bit of distance with a 4WD vehicle with good clearance. The most popular route for climbing Uncompahgre Peak is Uncompahgre National Forest Service Trail Number 239, which starts from the end of the Nellie Creek Road, east-southeast of the peak.

Stewart Peak is the highest point in Saguache County, Colorado. It is located in the San Juan Mountains, and its summit offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The peak is made up of granite, and it is named after John Stewart, who was the first person to reach the summit. Stewart Peak is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, and it is also home to a variety of wildlife. The peak is accessible via a number of trails, and there are several campsites located nearby.

Matterhorn Peak is the highest peak in the Sawtooth Ridge group, a series of sharp granite peaks and spires on Sierra Nevada crest. It is the tallest peak in the craggy Alps-like Sawtooth Ridge and the northernmost 12,000-foot peak in the Sierra Nevada. A good trekking destination and also there are so many viewpoints here.

San Luis Peak is the highest mountain in Saguache County. With an elevation of 14,014 feet, it is also the seventh-highest peak in the state of Colorado. The mountain is located in the Sangre de Cristo Range, about 60 miles southwest of Denver. San Luis Peak was originally named Mount Rosa by early explorers, but its name was changed to San Luis Peak in 1861 in honor of Saint Louis, Missouri. The mountain is a popular destination for hikers and climbers.

This trailhead provides access to the south sides of Wetterhorn Peak and Matterhorn Peak. Uncompahgre Peak can also be accessed from this trailhead.Camping is permitted along Henson Creek Road 9.2 miles outside of the town of Lake City.

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.

Located in the San Juan Mountains and standing at 14,015 feet above sea level, Wetterhorn is the 49th highest peak in Colorado. It is located in the Uncompahgre Wilderness of the northern San Juan Mountains, in northwestern Hinsdale County and southeastern Ouray County, 9 miles east of the town of Ouray. It lies 2.75 mi west of Uncompahgre Peak.The standard, and only common, route on Wetterhorn Peak is the southeast ridge, which is accessed via the Matterhorn Creek.

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.

Precipice Peak is a 13,144-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Hinsdale County, of Colorado. It is part of the San Juan Mountains which is a subset of the Rocky Mountains, and is situated west of the Continental Divide. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,500 feet. A good trekking destination and also there are so many things to see and do.

Dunsiname Mountain is an interesting and impressive peak located in the Cimarron Range of San Juan Mountains. It is part of the San Juan Mountains which are a subset of the Rocky Mountains, and is situated west of the Continental Divide. A good trekking destination and the views from its summit are majestic.