American Lakes Viewpoint via Michigan Ditch Trail
6.4 mi · ▲ 898 ft · 2 hr 35 min
American Lakes Viewpoint via Michigan Ditch Trail is a 6.4-mile out-and-back near Willey Lumber Camp, CO. The route reaches American Lakes Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.2 miles in. It climbs 898 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 35/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
American Lakes Viewpoint via Michigan Ditch Trail
6.4 mi · ▲ 898 ft · 2 hr 35 min
Elevation 10,232–11,122 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: County Road 62 · 40.48999, -105.90326
Weather Sep 4: Mostly clear, high 69°F / low 44° · precip 1% · wind 10 mph · sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:33 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on County Road 62, heading NW.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading NE.
- 1.5 miBear right onto American Lakes Trail, heading E.
- 1.3 miReach American Lakes Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.3 miBear left, heading N.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading NW.
- 1.5 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto County Road 62, heading N.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.2 mi in (~35 min). Leave by 6:37 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from County Road 62 Trailhead
- Lake Agnes–Lake Agnes Viewpoint Loop, 3 sights 1.6 mi · ▲ 408 ft
- Michigan Ditch Trail 3.7 mi · ▲ 567 ft
- County Road 62 via Michigan Ditch Trail 4 mi · ▲ 708 ft
- Crags Basin via Michigan Ditch Trail 4.4 mi · ▲ 596 ft
- County Road 62 5.8 mi · ▲ 1,723 ft
- County Road 62 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,938 ft
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Hikes near Willey Lumber Camp, Colorado