Chicago Lakes are located south of Idaho Springs, CO in the Mt Evans Wilderness Area The lakes are located .65 miles and 313' apart in a spacious valley beneath Mt Evans (14,265'), Mt Spalding (13,842') and Mount Warren (13,307'):

From the parking lot, follow the short dirt path to Echo Lake and continue south to the Chicago Lakes Trail split (.12 miles : 10,597'). A short climb past a second Chicago Lakes Trail sign crests over a deep gorge carved by Chicago Creek with views of Mt Spalding and Mount Evans in the distance.

The trail undulates mildly, then ruggedly, on a fast descent through healthy spruce and fir to Chicago Creek (1.1 miles : 10,342'). Cross the creek and emerge a few steps further on a dirt road (1.15 miles : 11,367').

An unofficial-looking sign correctly points up this road on a steady climb to Idaho Springs Reservoir (1.65 miles : 10,617'). It continues to the Mount Evans Wilderness Area Boundary (2.05 miles : 10,652'), where it moderates on a rocky path up the valley's west side. Ridge lines connecting Rogers Peak (13,391') and Mount Warren (13,307') form the east valley wall.

The trail enters an area touched by the 1978 Idaho Springs Reservoir Fire, which burned over 400 acres, mostly on the valley's upper west side. Despite its skeletal appearance, the forest is in a natural state of recovery.

Grasses and wildflowers fill the hillsides, while young aspen have emerged in replenished soils. In time, spruce and fir will overtake them and return the forest to its ecological climax.

The trail is intermittently rocky and steep heading up the valley with a full view of Mt Spalding, and a partial look at Mt Evans.

It levels across a major tributary through treeline (3.2 miles : 11,321') to a marked spur for lower Chicago Lake (3.95 miles : 11,545'). Note bristlecone and limber pine in this area, high altitude species adapted to extreme conditions.

The lake spur is clear at first, but entangled by willows that require some force to break through and reach the shore (4.1 miles : 11,420'). Once down, a clearer path leads to the open outlet area and northeast shore where you'll find ideal morning light.

Afternoon arrivals - or those who simply don't wish to fight the willows - will find easier access further up the main trail, though a steep knoll must be scaled to reach them (.35 miles ahead).

From the marked spur, the main trail continues above Chicago Lake up and down a rugged knoll and last thick patch of forest to the lake's far side.

It steepens considerably up the rock face separating the two lakes, a strenuous climb with a commanding view over Chicago Lake #1 and the valley below. It crests a ridge in open tundra overlooking upper Chicago Lake, from which the shore is easily reached (4.9 miles : 11,733').

Circle the lake, or continue over its outlet on the trail leading up to Summit Lake (12,830'), which provides panoramas over the basin, and back down the entire Chicago Creek drainage.