Leon Lake is a backcountry lake on the Grand Mesa in Mesa County, reached by a moderate hike from the Weir and Johnson Lake trailhead. Sitting at roughly 10,000 feet on one of the largest flat-topped mountains in the world, Leon Lake is part of a chain of over 300 lakes and reservoirs scattered across the Grand Mesa, each connected by a network of forest trails through spruce, fir, and aspen groves.
The hike to Leon Lake passes through mixed conifer forest and open meadows, offering a journey that many visitors consider as rewarding as the destination itself. The trail winds past Weir and Johnson Lakes before reaching Leon Lake, covering several miles each way on well-maintained forest paths. Mushroom hunters will find this trail particularly remarkable. After summer rains, the forest floor explodes with an extraordinary diversity of mushroom species that visitors describe as unlike anything they have seen elsewhere in Colorado. Even non-foragers are struck by the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes growing along the path.
Fishing at Leon Lake depends heavily on water levels, which have fluctuated dramatically in recent years due to drought conditions. When full, the lake supports trout and offers peaceful shore fishing away from crowds. During drought years, the water recedes significantly, leaving muddy exposed shoreline and reducing fish populations. Check conditions before planning a fishing trip. Midday fishing tends to be slow regardless of water levels, so aim for early morning or evening if you bring a rod.
Winter transforms Leon Lake and the surrounding Grand Mesa into a snowmobile and snowshoe paradise. The route from Thunder Mountain Lodge to Electric Mountain Lodge passes near Leon Lake through forest trails, open meadows, and frozen lakes with panoramic mountain views. Fresh powder days deliver untracked riding through some of the best backcountry terrain on the Western Slope. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are equally popular along the groomed and ungroomed routes crisscrossing the mesa.
The Grand Mesa is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and there are no formal facilities at Leon Lake itself. Vault toilets and basic amenities are available at developed trailheads and campgrounds nearby. There is limited cell service on the Grand Mesa, so bring maps and plan your route before heading out. The nearest full-service town is Cedaredge, about 30 minutes from the trailhead, with Grand Junction roughly an hour to the northwest.
Leon Lake is best visited in late summer for hiking and mushroom viewing, or in winter for snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Spring and early summer can be muddy and mosquito-heavy at this elevation. For hikers who want to connect multiple Grand Mesa lakes in a single outing, Leon Lake makes an excellent intermediate stop on a longer loop through the mesa's lake-dotted high country.