TWIN LAKES

Resting in the shadow of Colorado’s tallest peak, Twin Lakes is one of Colorado’s most scenic locations. The community lies adjacent to the state’s two largest glacial lakes. It is situated along the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway.

Once a mining transportation hub that served the communities of Leadville and Aspen, today Twin Lakes is a place to get away from it all. The area is especially popular for fishing, boating, hiking, snowmobiling and photographing quintessential Colorado scenery. ~colorado.com

Twin Lakes is located about 20 miles south of Leadville, on State Highway 82. The altitude of Twin Lakes is approximately 9200 ft above sea level, somewhat lower than Leadville.

This small historic town tucked in the San Isabel National Forest offers a snapshot of life deep in the Rocky Mountains. To the west, as the Top of the Rockies courses through a deep valley toward Independence Pass, La Plata Peak towers over at 14,336 feet and the road twists to reveal unparalleled mountain views in all directions.

Hiking around the lakes is plentiful as some of Colorado’s most popular trails are close by. The Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail rim the mountains surrounding the lakes. Trail heads for Mt. Elbert and LaPlata Peak, two of Colorado’s fourteeners, are located on the lake’s edge, and the 12-mile Twin Lakes Loop provides brilliant scenery with little elevation gain.

History

Prospectors founded the first village here, Dayton, in the 1860s. After a bust in mining, the silver rush brought the area back to life. Dayton then became known as Twin Lakes.

In 1885 it was named “the most charming summer resort in Colorado.” It had 3 hotels, several saloons and many log cabins. There was also mining done in the area.