Timberline Lake is an alpine prize hidden inside the Holy Cross Wilderness, roughly ten miles west of Leadville in Lake County. Perched at about 10,880 feet in a glacial basin just below the Continental Divide, this lake rewards hikers with mirror-still water reflecting dense stands of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. If you are looking for a moderately challenging Colorado hike that ends at a stunning high-country lake, the Timberline Lake Trail is one of the best options near Leadville and Turquoise Lake.
The trailhead sits at the western end of Turquoise Lake, just past the May Queen Campground entrance. A small dirt parking lot is available but fills quickly on summer weekends, so plan to arrive early. The trail covers about 4.4 miles round trip with approximately 845 to 905 feet of elevation gain. The first mile follows a relatively gentle grade through lodgepole pine forest, paralleling Lake Fork Creek and intersecting the Colorado Trail shortly after the start. The path enters the Holy Cross Wilderness almost immediately, and the terrain grows steeper and rockier in the final mile before the lake.
Two stream crossings at roughly 1.5 and 2 miles into the hike add character to the route. Water depth varies by season — expect ankle-deep crossings in late summer and potentially knee-deep flows during peak snowmelt in June and early July. Waterproof boots or trekking sandals for the crossings are a good idea. The trail can be primitive in spots, with some bushwhacking and route-finding needed where the path narrows through willows near the lake.
Timberline Lake holds greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish, which have been reintroduced into these protected waters. Fishing is strictly catch-and-release with fly and artificial lure only — no bait allowed. The clear, cold water and surrounding wilderness make this one of the more memorable alpine fishing experiences in the Sawatch Range. Even if you do not fish, the lake is worth the hike for the scenery alone. Deer are commonly seen near the lakeshore, and the basin offers solitude that busier trailheads around Leadville cannot match.
As a designated wilderness area, the Holy Cross Wilderness prohibits mountain bikes, motorized vehicles, and drones. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Overnight campers must set up at least 100 feet from the lake, streams, and trails, and group size is limited to 15 people. No facilities exist at the lake itself — the nearest restrooms and developed camping are at May Queen Campground near the trailhead. The road to the trailhead closes at the Turquoise Lake dam in winter, making the lake inaccessible by car from roughly November through May.