Harvard Lakes

Harvard Lakes sit on the southeastern flank of 14,078-foot Mount Columbia in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, about 10 miles west of Buena Vista in Chaffee County. The pair of alpine lakes are reached via a 5.7-mile out-and-back section of the Colorado Trail (Segment 12), making them one of the more rewarding moderate day hikes in the Arkansas Valley. If you want a trail that blends dense forest, wildflower meadows, and a genuine mountain lake payoff without the commitment of a fourteener summit, Harvard Lakes should be near the top of your list.

The hike begins at the Mount Harvard Trailhead off County Road 365 on the outskirts of Buena Vista. The first mile climbs steeply through conifer forest, gaining most of the route's 1,130 feet of total elevation. After that initial push, the trail levels out and winds along a ridgeline with filtered views of the Arkansas Valley and the Collegiate Peaks. Dense stands of pine and aspen provide shade for the middle section, and wildflowers line the path through mid-summer. The final half mile steepens again over rocky terrain before the trail drops to the first lake. Cairns mark the route clearly, and the Colorado Trail signage keeps navigation straightforward even though the lakes themselves are not always named on trailhead signs.

Fishing draws steady traffic to Harvard Lakes throughout the summer season. The lakes hold brook trout and cutthroat trout, and anglers describe the fish as plump and willing, especially on flies and small lures in early morning. The clear, cold water and the forested shoreline give the fishing a backcountry feel that you rarely get on a hike this short. A Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.

The trailhead is accessible by most passenger cars, though the final stretch of County Road 365 is unpaved and benefits from reasonable clearance. Parking is available at the trailhead, and a vault toilet sits a short distance down the road at a secondary lot. Dispersed camping is available near the trailhead for those who want to start early or extend the trip into a backpacking overnight. Bear activity has been reported in the area, so proper food storage is essential.

Harvard Lakes are best visited from late May through September, with July and August delivering the warmest water, the most wildflowers, and the longest days. The hike typically takes three to three and a half hours round-trip at a moderate pace. Trail runners can complete the loop in under two hours. Mountain lion sign has been noted along the trail, so keep dogs leashed and stay alert. For a half-day adventure that combines a solid workout, Collegiate Peaks scenery, and quality trout fishing at the turnaround, Harvard Lakes earn their reputation as one of Chaffee County's best hikes.