Lost Lake

Lost Lake sits on the eastern side of the Grand Mesa in Mesa County, one of three bodies of water sharing the Lost Lake name across the world's largest flat-topped mountain. Located at roughly 10,000 feet of elevation on the Grand Mesa National Forest, this version of Lost Lake draws hikers and anglers who want to explore beyond the more trafficked western lakes near Highway 65. The Grand Mesa holds over 300 lakes and reservoirs across its 50-mile span, and this Lost Lake offers a quieter alternative for visitors willing to drive the forest roads deeper into the mesa's interior.

The trail to the lake passes through spruce-fir forest and aspen groves before reaching the shoreline. Reviewers describe stunning turquoise water so clear you can see fish swimming below the surface. The shoreline is surrounded by jagged basalt rock formations typical of the Grand Mesa's volcanic geology, which limits water access to only one or two spots where you can safely reach the lakeshore. Visitors who want to swim, picnic, or fish from the bank should expect to share limited flat ground near the water with other groups on busy days.

Fishing at Lost Lake targets rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages stocking across the Grand Mesa lake system, and the trout here can grow large in the cold, nutrient-rich water. Fly fishing and spin-casting from shore are both viable, though the limited bank access means finding an open casting spot matters. The surrounding forest roads connect to additional lakes for anglers who want to spend a full day exploring the mesa's fisheries.

The Grand Mesa is accessible from late June through October, depending on snowfall. Early-season visitors should expect lingering snow on upper trails and forest roads. An $8 cash day-use fee applies at the Glacier Springs parking area near the western trailhead, though access points and fee requirements vary by entry point. Cell service is unreliable across most of the mesa, so download maps and plan your route before leaving town. The nearest full-service towns are Grand Junction to the west and Cedaredge to the south. Bring layers for rapidly changing weather at altitude, and start early to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms that roll across the mesa most summer afternoons.