Loch Lomond – Loch Lomond loop from St. Mary's

If you're looking for a rewarding, less-traveled path near St. Mary's, the Loch Lomond – Loch Lomond loop from St. Mary's is an excellent choice. This easy 2.8-mile (4.5 km) hiking route, with 469 feet (143 metres) of climbing, offers a scenic escape that takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete, making it a perfect shoulder-season adventure or a quiet alternative to more crowded trails.

What to expect on Loch Lomond – Loch Lomond loop from St. Mary's

The journey begins on a 4x4 road, which means you'll share the path with vehicles and navigate rocky terrain, especially on the descent. As you steadily ascend, you'll pass through shaded trees, catching glimpses of mountain tops before the trail opens up to sweeping views of pines and aspens. The highlight is reaching Loch Lomond itself, a beautiful alpine lake, with opportunities to continue to five other alpine lakes like Caroline and Ice Lake, which sits just below James Peak. This sustained uphill climb provides a good workout, but be mindful of the rocky path underfoot.

Planning your visit

This trail is accessible from near St. Mary's in Colorado. It's particularly recommended as a shoulder-season hike, offering the chance to see four frozen alpine lakes in one day during colder months. During winter, the trail is used for snowshoeing and can be very windy at the lake, so prepare accordingly. Dispersed camping is also an option along the ascent.

Trail details

• Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)
• Elevation gain: 469 feet (143 metres)
• Difficulty: easy
• Estimated time: 1 hours and 20 minutes