Ice Lakes Basin

Is this the bluest water in the US, or are we dreaming?

Hidden deep in the San Juans. The photos don’t even do the scale of these peaks justice. We spent the day trekking through wildflower meadows and jagged ridgelines to this alpine basin, and the effort was worth every second.

The spot that ruined all other lakes? This is Ice Lakes Basin.

The Deets

• About 7.5 miles round trip
• About 2,500 ft elevation gain
• Strenuous