Scales Lakes

Scales Lakes is a collection of small alpine lakes scattered across the Grand Mesa in Mesa County, Colorado. Sitting at roughly 10,000 feet on the world's largest flat-top mountain, these lakes offer fishing, hiking, camping, and winter recreation in a forested setting that stays cool even during the hottest months on the Western Slope. The Grand Mesa's 300-plus lakes attract anglers and outdoor enthusiasts from across the state, and Scales Lakes stands out as a quieter alternative to the more heavily visited reservoirs nearby.

Access to Scales Lakes comes via a forest service road that branches off from the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (Highway 65). The Scales Lake Road trail covers approximately 5.2 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain of around 288 feet, making it an easy outing for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers in summer. During winter, the road becomes a cross-country ski trail, and snowmobiling is popular throughout the surrounding Grand Mesa National Forest.

Fishing is the primary draw at Scales Lakes. The Grand Mesa region supports brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout, and the smaller, less-pressured lakes in the Scales Lakes area can produce excellent catches for anglers willing to explore beyond the main reservoirs. Fly fishing and spin casting both work well here. Ice fishing draws a dedicated following once the lakes freeze over, typically from late November through April.

The surrounding Grand Mesa National Forest provides ample camping opportunities, from developed campgrounds with vault toilets and picnic tables to dispersed camping along forest roads. Several established campgrounds sit within a short drive, including Jumbo Campground and Island Lake Campground, both of which offer lakeside sites with basic amenities. Cabin rentals are also available in the area for visitors who prefer a roof overhead.

Hiking trails weave through the spruce and aspen forests connecting multiple lakes, including the popular Lost Lake Trail that passes through the area. Wildflowers carpet the meadows in late summer, and fall brings golden aspen groves that draw leaf-peepers from across Colorado. The mesa's elevation keeps temperatures comfortable for summer hiking, typically 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Grand Junction in the valley below.

Visitors should come prepared for variable mountain weather and limited cell service on the mesa. The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is open year-round, but some forest roads close during winter months. No entrance fee is required for the national forest.