Spectacular Ice Lake Trail, closed last year due to wildfire, will reopen Wednesday

The stunning Ice Lake Trail conscionable extracurricular of Silverton successful southwest Colorado, 1 of the astir picturesque spots successful the state, volition reopen Wednesday, 11 months aft it was closed owed to 1 of Colorado’s galore wildfires past year.

Officials of the San Juan National Forest kept the country closed this summertime owed successful portion to the hazard of debris flows successful pain scar areas. Forest work crews cleared 5.2 miles of roadworthy and way from histrion snags with assistance from San Juan County.

When the Ice Fire broke retired connected Oct. 19, 23 radical and 3 dogs were stranded connected the Ice Lake Trail and had to beryllium evacuated by helicopter.

The 3.75-mile hike to Ice Lake, known for stunning aquamarine h2o astatine the ft of 13,000-foot peaks, rises 2,400 feet from the trailhead and is located 7 miles westbound of Silverton. When the closure expires Wednesday, the way volition reopen on with the South Mineral Campground, Clear Lake Road and South Mineral Road. The campground volition beryllium unfastened with minimal services until it is closed by snow.

“Although the trail, campground and roadworthy person been cleared of fallen debris and galore of the hazardous histrion snags, delight enactment connected the way and beryllium alert that imaginable hazards inactive exist,” Columbine District Ranger James Simino said successful a quality release.

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