Prepare for a truly rewarding challenge as you make your way to Upper Blue Lake, a gem tucked high in the San Juan Mountains. The trail is a strenuous but spectacular 8.7-mile round trip hike that involves a significant elevation gain of about 2,500 feet, so be ready for a workout. As you ascend past the lower lakes, the trail gets steep, but the payoff is immense when you're greeted by the stunning turquoise waters of the upper lake, nestled in a dramatic glacial basin. It's an unforgettable alpine experience, but be sure to start early to avoid the common afternoon thunderstorms.

Insider Tips:

• Don’t stop at Lower Blue Lake (that’s the most crowded area on this hike). It’s beautiful, but the real magic starts when you continue up. Middle Lake is quieter and more rugged, and Upper Lake feels like a completely different alpine basin with way fewer people and glassy water.

• Expect route-finding to get a little messy between Lower and Middle. After the signed junction, the trail becomes faint and splits into multiple user paths, just keep trending uphill toward the basin and you’ll reconnect, but this is usually where people slow down or second guess themselves.

• Save energy for the upper basin section. The climb from Middle to Upper is short but noticeable at altitude, and once you crest it, you'll realize why the quad workout was worth it.

• Download the Alltrails Map. You'll be using it to route find.