Bear Town aka Kite Lake

4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Kite Lake is situated in the Rio Grande National Forest in Southwest Colorado. It is a spur of the famous Stony Pass, which was a wagon supply route back in the 1880's. The San Juans are notorious for their beauty and ruggedness, and the trek up to Kite Lake is no exception. Kite Lake will take you ...Read More
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Highlights of Bear Town aka Kite Lake

Altitude Category IconAltitude
Beginner Category IconBeginner
Camping Category IconCamping
Forest Category IconForest
Mine Category IconMine
Mud Category IconMud
Rock Category IconRock
Scenic Category IconScenic
Water Category IconWater
Highest Elevation
12123 ft
Shape of Trail
Out & Back
Typically Open
05/16 - 03/14
Best Direction
N/A
Official Trail Name
506
Nearest Town
Silverton
Nearest Services
Silverton
Management Agency
Rio Grande National Forest
District
Divide Ranger District

Overview

Kite Lake is situated in the Rio Grande National Forest in Southwest Colorado. It is a spur of the famous Stony Pass, which was a wagon supply route back in the 1880's. The San Juans are notorious for their beauty and ruggedness, and the trek up to Kite Lake is no exception. Kite Lake will take you up past Bear Town, which is a virtually non-existent mining town founded in 1893. Evidence of this mine is hard to find, and the trail is more known by its name of the final destination, which is a glorious alpine lake in the lush and scenic landscape nested in the heart of the San Juans. The beauty of this area not only brings lots of people by 4WD vehicle but on foot and by bicycle as well. The famous 485 mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango travels adjacent to Kite Lake along the ridge above the lake. And the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail from Canada to Mexico crosses this trail at one point. This is a very special place for all types of outdoor enthusiasts.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
13 Waypoints
41 Trail Photos
4 Trail Concerns
18 Community Reviews
1 Video
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