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Mohawk Lakes

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (57)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Blue River
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“A fairly easy hike providing awesome views from a high alpine lake. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

4.3

Miles

6.9

KM

Out and Back

12,395' 3,778 m

High

11,133' 3,393 m

Low

1,267' 386 m

Up

1,266' 386 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Although steep in places, kids will love the views of the surrounding area and the Tenmile Range backdrop.

Please stay on the established trail above treeline, the alpine tundra is very fragile.

Overview

This hike offers a variety of scenery as it climbs through lodgepole, spruce and fir forests and eventually to Lower Mohawk Lake which is nestled against the mountain walls. Beyond this lake the trail continues a short distance to Upper Mohawk Lake where you can enjoy views of Mt. Helen and the rugged southern section of the Tenmile Range.

Need to Know

This route is accessible via 2WD vehicle from the Spruce Creek Trailhead and that parking fills up rapidly on a busy weekend. If you have a 4WD vehicle, drive up Spruce Creek Road to the Mohawk Lakes TH.

Description

From the lower parking area (Spruce Creek TH), the trail leads off to the left toward Spruce Creek and is marked by traditional tree blazes (removal of square-ish pieces of tree bark). Continue on the trail through a thick lodgepole pine and aspen forest. Approximately 1.72 miles from the trailhead you'll come to the intersection with the Wheeler National Recreation Trail - WNRT (FDT 39). Continue straight past the WNRT intersection for approximately .77 miles to the sign for Mayflower Lakes and bear to the left (west).

Approximately .53 miles from Mayflower Lakes, the trail rises onto a shelf with Lower Mohawk Lake nestled against the mountain walls, to the north Mt. Helen is visible. The trail continues approximately .34 miles to Upper Mohawk Lake. The view from the top of this trail of Mt. Helen and the rugged southern section of the Tenmile Range make for a spectacular conclusion of this trail.

Flora & Fauna

Aspens and wildflowers abound on this route.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Dillon Ranger District, White River NF

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 57 votes

#2

in Blue River

#176

Overall
  4.5 from 57 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Blue River

#46

in Colorado

#176

Overall
27 Views Last Month
23,791 Since Aug 4, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Add a Photo

Photos

Mountain Goat surveying the scene at Mohawk Lake
May 25, 2022 near Brecken…, CO
Area above Mohawk Lake
Feb 29, 2016 near Brecken…, CO
Lower Mohawk Lake
Aug 4, 2015 near Brecken…, CO
Interesting weather - lots of cool shadows and textures
Apr 28, 2018 near Brecken…, CO
One of the many small ponds on the Mohawk Lake Trail.
Feb 29, 2016 near Brecken…, CO
The effort on trail is worth it when you get to Mohawk Lake!
Feb 29, 2016 near Brecken…, CO

4 Comments

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 27, 2023
Jennifer Tyler
2.6mi — 2h 30m
Jul 3, 2023
WILLIAM FENWICK
Didn't go the full way but a nice time and we got up close to some goats 3mi — 1h 32m
Oct 15, 2022
tara lieto
Jun 20, 2022
Spencer Olson
Oct 16, 2021
Bethany Soloski
Oct 6, 2021
Adam Axmear
Oct 2, 2021
Private User
Sep 29, 2021
Troy Hartwig
Blowing snow turned us around at the lower lake.

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