Mountain peaks reflected in the calm waters of Lake Ann during sunset along the Lake Ann Trail in Colorado.
Lake Ann Trail Colorado Complete Guide

Lake Ann Trail Colorado Complete Guide

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The Lake Ann Trail is one of the more scenic hikes in Colorado’s Sawatch Range, leading to a beautiful alpine lake tucked beneath the rugged Three Apostles in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. Located near Buena Vista and accessed through the historic mining town of Winfield, the Lake Ann hike offers a relatively moderate route with incredible views of Huron Peak, the Three Apostles and the surrounding high country. In this Lake Ann Trail Colorado guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your hike, run or backpack, including the trailhead, mileage, elevation gain, route, difficulty, best time to visit and what to expect along the way.

The Three Apostles dominate the skyline early on when hiking the Lake Ann Trail.

Lake Ann Trail Quick Facts

Lake Ann Trail Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)

Distance: 7.5 From Huron Peak Upper Trailhead

Elevation Start: 10,547ft

High Point: 11,805ft

Total Elevation Gain: 1,500ft

Estimated Time to Complete: 1-2 Hour Run, 2-3 Hour Hike

Difficulty: Moderate – What does this mean?

Class: Class 1 – What does this mean?

Season: June – October: Expect snow and road closures outside of these months

Check the Weather Forecast 

Crowds: Low

Hiker standing above Lake Ann on the Lake Ann Trail in Colorado with a turquoise alpine lake and rugged mountain peaks in the background

Directions to Lake Ann Trail

Trailhead: Lake Ann

Getting Here: To access the trailhead, turn onto Chaffee County Road 390 (20 miles south of Leadville, 14.5 miles north of Buena Vista). Take 390 (starts off paved, turns into a well maintained dirt road) for 11.8 miles until you reach the replicated ghost town of Winfield. Turn left here and follow the road for another .1 miles to the lower trailhead parking area. If you have a higher clearance car, you can drive the remaining 2 miles to the upper parking area.  

Parking: The parking lot for Lake Ann is very small (10-15 vehicles) with additional parking along the road. Please note two things: 1. This trail shares a parking lot with popular 14er Huron Peak and the Colorado Trail and 2. In order to reach the upper trailhead, a higher clearance AWD or 4×4 vehicle is necessary.

Permits/Fee: There is no permit or fee required to hike the Lake Ann trail.

Purple and yellow alpine wildflowers blooming beside Lake Ann with rugged mountain slopes rising above the lake in Colorado.

Summary

Dogs: Lake Ann Trail is absolutely dog friendly just be sure to pick up after them and keep them on a leash as most of this hike is in a Wilderness Area.

Camping: Backcountry camping is possible along the trail as this hike shares almost every mile with the Colorado Trail. Note that camping at the Lake itself is possible, but please camp at least 200ft (60-70 paces) away from any water sources to keep this area clean and ecosystem intact. 

Water: Water is plentiful along this route – you should never need to carry more than a liter. 

Make it a Loop: If you are looking to extend this hike or run, the most obvious way to do that would be continuing another mile or so up to Lake Ann Pass. This offers tremendous views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Other options in the area include Huron Peak and the Apostles. 

Hike Tip(s): Best Views Of Lake Ann

Lake Ann, like many high alpine lakes in Colorado shows its brightest colors in the direct sunlight or from above. If you are able, visit this one on a cloudless sunny day. For the absolute best views of the Lake, head up a bit past the Lake itself to view it from either Lake Ann Pass or along the trail before that point. 

Trail X Factors: Three Apostles

Lake Ann is a beautiful destination on its own, but what makes this hike truly special is the scenery surrounding the lake. As you approach the upper basin, the rugged Three Apostles begin to dominate the skyline, eventually towering over Lake Ann at nearly 14,000 feet. Standing at the edge of the lake with Ice Mountain, North Apostle and West Apostle rising above you makes the relatively mellow hike feel like you’re suddenly standing in the middle of some of Colorado’s most dramatic high country.

Best Views: The Lake Ann trail is one of the best hikes in the entire Sawatch Range. The views are fantastic in the Summer with wild flowers or Fall with the foliage. The lake itself is stunning with direct sunlight and even better from above. This is truly an amazing hike.

Panoramic view of Lake Ann surrounded by rocky mountain peaks and alpine tundra on the Lake Ann Trail in Colorado.

Gear Needed

Lake Ann Trail Route

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