Hike to Booth Falls and Booth Lake, CO

This day hike begins as a steady climb through aspen trees for the first mile. The trail then flattens out a bit, and you reach Booth Falls at mile two. This is a beautiful 60 ft waterfall that allows for easy rock climbing and hiking through the stream upstream of the falls. This is also a popular spot for picnics and camping. If you're planning to only hike the falls, it's roughly 4 miles roundtrip with a 1,450' elevation gain. 

Once past the falls, the trail becomes slightly more difficult and steeper. At 10,000 ft you will be hiking through conifer trees and small fields of wildflowers. Patches of snow were still present in August at this elevation. Beautiful views of the Gore Mountain range are visible at this part of the hike, so a camera is a necessity! The last 1/4 mile of the hike is steep and rocky, but the difficult ending is worth it!

The lake at the top of the mountain (11,500 ft) is gorgeous and picturesque. Booth Lake features patches of snow that speckle the mountainside and trout are rising to feed continuously.

It took us 4.5 hours to complete the 4.6 mile hike to the lake (with a 30 minute stop at the waterfall). The 4.6 miles back down the mountain took 2.5 hours.

Warning: If you are not acclimated to the elevation, this hike will wind even those of you who are in good shape!