Snowshoeing at Silver Dollar Lake in Colorado

Tucked into a deep cleft in Colorado's soaring Front Range, the gleaming circle of Silver Dollar Lake -- named for its unusual natural roundness -- sits about an hour and a half by car from downtown Denver. Overlooked by a series of sheer cliffs and connected to several other alpine lakes by threadlike creeks, the remarkably photogenic lake can be visited in every season -- in winter, you can arrive on snowshoes.

  1. The Trail

    • The Silver Dollar Lake trail can be completed as a three-mile round trip to Murray Lake or as a 2.3-mile out-and-back. The roughly 800-foot total elevation gain will get your heart pounding, but only moderate snowshoeing skill is required. The trail ambles mostly above the tree line, turning around at a photogenic viewpoint just below the continental divide. Snowshoe travelers might even share the Silver Dollar Trail with the wild mountain goats and bighorn sheep that populate the wide valley's towering walls and ridges.

    Preparing for the Journey

    • Snowshoeing in the Colorado high country can be challenging, especially when venturing to remote places such as Silver Dollar that are inconvenient to shops and potable water sources. Wear waterproof hiking boots, UV-protective sunglasses and several warm layers that you can easily add and subtract. Also carry a daypack stocked with liquids, high-calorie snacks and high-SPF sunscreen.

    Trail Maps and Safety Briefings

    • For a reliable map of the snowshoeing circuit at Silver Dollar Lake, head to the Clear Creek Ranger District Office located at the turnoff for Exit 240 on I-70. Bring along a zip-sealed plastic bag to protect the printed map from water while retaining ease-of-reference. The ranger's office can also advise you about potential avalanche conditions and approaching storms -- both pose significant danger in winter.

    Snowshoe Rentals

    • Several local outfitters rent the snow-ready kicks you'll need for the steeply graded Silver Dollar trail -- seek the modern versions made with durable, lightweight materials and loose-heeled, easy-to-strap fittings. When you rent, be sure that the model you choose has a metal "claw" underneath the foot, so you won't slip on hardened snow and ice. Local rental locations include Maison de Ski in Idaho Springs, Empire Sports in Downieville, Breeze Ski Rental in Dumont and Black Diamond Ski & Cycles in Georgetown. All are within 45 minutes by car of the Silver Dollar trailhead.

    Trailhead Access

    • Be sure your vehicle can handle unpaved mountain roads in wintertime. If it can, head for the Guanella Pass Campground at the end of Guanella Pass Road. From there, continue on the Naylor Lake Road for just under a mile. Park in the turnout on the right-hand side, then find the signposted trailhead for the Silver Dollar Lake Trail on the other side of the road, a few feet past the last parking space.