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Missouri Lakes is located in the Holy Cross Wilderness area southwest of Vail. There are three clear pristine lakes located at Timberline. Some brookies and cutthroat trout can be found in the lakes. This is a nice overnight backpack trip. How to get there: Take I-70 west past Vail, to US 24, and turn south towards Leadville. Pass by the historic towns of Gilman and Redcliff. About 2.5 miles south of Redcliff follow FSR703 southwest paralleling Homestake Creek. You will pass Blodgett Campground and travel for 7 miles southwest. About 1 mile beyond a second campground (Gold Park CG), take the right fork FSR704 for another three miles. On the north side of this road, there will be a trail sign for Missouri Lakes. Missouri Lakes is a 4-mile trek one-way with a 1400\\\\\\\' elevation gain. Follow the trail (FS2003) which parallels Missouri Creek. There are numerous waterfalls. The trail is steep for the first three miles but then levels out. There are several campsites at the lakes. The area around the lakes can be marshy early in the season. two-day extension can be made on this trip by continuing up the trail to the pass northwest of Missouri Lakes. There are lakes on the other side or you can take the loop trip to Holy Cross City site. The loop trip turns right after you cross over a saddle, passing by a small lake. It works its way up and over Fancy Pass and down to Fancy Lake. At the lake you can take the trail that parallels the mountain, heading northeast to Holy Cross City, or you can hike down the Fancy Creek Trail (FS2006) to a jeep road that will lead you back to your cars. If you do the Holy Cross City extension, continue northeast descending into the mining area and town site. Camp in the Holy Cross City area, there is a jeep road back to the trailhead (about 4 miles from Holy Cross City). Notes: Wood is scarce at the lakes. This trek is suggested for July and August, ice can be in the lakes as late as July. Read 50 West Central Colorado Hiking Trails by Lowe for more details.
Created on: 2024-09-10 19:37:00
Last edited by: rhall290472 On: 2024-09-14 08:56:33