Crater Lake Trail

Elevation	Difficulty	Recommended Use	Distance	Season
10,800 feet	Difficult		5.5 Miles	Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend

Driving Directions:

From Durango, Colorado, Approximately 45 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550, take the Andrews lake turnoff. This dirt road is located approximately 1/4 of a mile north of the Lime Creek rest stop which is on the eastern side of U.S. 550. The road is about one mile long and terminates at Andrews Lake where there is fishing and plenty of parking. Restroom facilities are also available here. The trail begins from the southern end of the lake.

Hiking Directions:

The Crater Lake Trail is an excellent long day hike or overnight that begins at Andrews Lake. Crater Lake is nestled in a basin at the foot of Twilight Peak. This peak and Snowdon Peak are both accessible from the Crater Lake Trail. Both peaks afford excellent panoramic views, including the Needles, the Grenadiers and the distant town of Silverton. The first section of the trail switchbacks up a 500 foot rise, but the rest of the trail proceeds gently through alternating heavy timber and open meadows. Toward the end of the trail there are several marshy ponds and the trail becomes somewhat indistinct, but discernible with a good eye. Fly and spin-casting fishing can be enjoyed here