{"id":10756,"date":"2018-03-19T06:00:12","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T11:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traun-photo.com\/dan\/?p=10756"},"modified":"2018-03-26T08:16:17","modified_gmt":"2018-03-26T13:16:17","slug":"twin-lakes-grand-junction-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/traun-photo.com\/dan\/twin-lakes-grand-junction-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"TWIN LAKES \u2013 Rocky Mountain High #Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"

TWIN LAKES<\/h1>\n

Resting in the shadow of Colorado\u2019s tallest peak, Twin Lakes is one of Colorado’s most scenic locations. The community lies adjacent to the state’s two largest glacial lakes.\u00a0 It is situated along the\u00a0Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway.<\/p>\n

Once a mining transportation hub that served the communities of\u00a0Leadville\u00a0and\u00a0Aspen, 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.\u00a0 ~colorado.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Twin Lakes is located about 20 miles south of\u00a0Leadville, on\u00a0State Highway 82.\u00a0 The altitude of Twin Lakes is approximately 9200\u00a0ft above sea level, somewhat lower than\u00a0Leadville.<\/p>\n

This small historic town tucked in the San Isabel National Forest\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Hiking around the lakes is plentiful as some of Colorado\u2019s most popular trails are close by. The Colorado Trail<\/a> and the Continental Divide Trail<\/a> rim the mountains surrounding the lakes. Trail heads for Mt. Elbert and LaPlata Peak, two of Colorado\u2019s fourteeners, are located on the lake\u2019s edge, and the 12-mile Twin Lakes Loop provides brilliant scenery with little elevation gain.<\/p>\n

History<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In 1885 it was named \u201cthe most charming summer resort in Colorado.\u201d\u00a0 It had 3 hotels, several saloons and many log cabins. There was also mining done in the area.<\/p>\n

Mountain View Observation Site<\/h3>\n

The photos below were taken at the Mountain View Observation Point on the east side of Twin Lakes.\"twin<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Twin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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Dragon Cloud <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Twin <\/a>
Dragon Cloud <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Twin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Twin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Twin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Twin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

EXTRA<\/h3>\n