Collegiate West Segment 01, Colorado Trail, Twin Lakes, CO (3)
Twin Lakes, CO (Lake County)
Twin Lakes Trailhead to Interlaken Historic Site (Collegiate West 01)
After hiking on Segment 9, I drove to Twin Lakes and hung out for awhile. Twin Lakes is a neat little town with a historic district consisting of some historic buildings and some spectacular views. The Colorado Trail is approximately 1 mile from town via CO82. There might be a blue blazer which leads closer to town. The general store offers maildrops and short-term resupply. There are some lodging options as well, albeit expensive. A food truck was parked nearby where I had a decent BBQ sandwich. While I was in town I was able to charge my phone at the Twin Lakes Visitor Center (part of historic district).
The Twin Lakes Trailhead is on the far side of Twin Lakes accessed via a dirt road. The Colorado Trail goes around the lakes for about 5 miles before the trailhead. There is plenty of parking. I was planning to start hiking here for the Collegiate Loop, so I parked here.
The Collegiate Loop is approximately 160 miles consisting of the Collegiate East and the Collegiate West. The East was the original Colorado Trail while the Continental Divide NST took the West side of the mountains. The mountain peaks are named after Colleges: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. Many of these peaks are Fourteeners. Colorado Trail hikers can now choose which side they want to hike.
It was getting late in the afternoon, so after I parked and organized my gear I started off toward Interlaken Historic Site for the night. The footpath continues along the edge of the lake. I encountered the intersection of the East and West routes about 1 1/2 miles from the trailhead. Decisions, decisions, decisions ... I took the West route which was my plan. Shortly thereafter I made it to Interlaken Hotel and found a campsite nearby.
Collegiate West Segment 01, Colorado Trail, Twin Lakes, CO (3)
Twin Lakes, CO (Lake County)
Twin Lakes Trailhead to Interlaken Historic Site (Collegiate West 01)
After hiking on Segment 9, I drove to Twin Lakes and hung out for awhile. Twin Lakes is a neat little town with a historic district consisting of some historic buildings and some spectacular views. The Colorado Trail is approximately 1 mile from town via CO82. There might be a blue blazer which leads closer to town. The general store offers maildrops and short-term resupply. There are some lodging options as well, albeit expensive. A food truck was parked nearby where I had a decent BBQ sandwich. While I was in town I was able to charge my phone at the Twin Lakes Visitor Center (part of historic district).
The Twin Lakes Trailhead is on the far side of Twin Lakes accessed via a dirt road. The Colorado Trail goes around the lakes for about 5 miles before the trailhead. There is plenty of parking. I was planning to start hiking here for the Collegiate Loop, so I parked here.
The Collegiate Loop is approximately 160 miles consisting of the Collegiate East and the Collegiate West. The East was the original Colorado Trail while the Continental Divide NST took the West side of the mountains. The mountain peaks are named after Colleges: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. Many of these peaks are Fourteeners. Colorado Trail hikers can now choose which side they want to hike.
It was getting late in the afternoon, so after I parked and organized my gear I started off toward Interlaken Historic Site for the night. The footpath continues along the edge of the lake. I encountered the intersection of the East and West routes about 1 1/2 miles from the trailhead. Decisions, decisions, decisions ... I took the West route which was my plan. Shortly thereafter I made it to Interlaken Hotel and found a campsite nearby.