Arapaho National Forest

Chicago Lakes Lookout–Summit Lake, 3 sights

3.6 mi · ▲ 1,559 ft · 1 hr 59 min

Chicago Lakes Lookout–Summit Lake, 3 sights is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Arapaho National Forest near Georgetown, CO. The route passes Summit Lake and Chicago Lakes Lookout. It climbs 1,559 ft, with sections as steep as 34% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 20/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi12,848 – 13,961 ft · steepest grade: 34%3.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Summit Lake Trail 39.59928, -105.64090
Nearest town Georgetown, CO · Official trailhead info (recreation.gov)

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Chicago Lakes Lookout–Summit Lake, 3 sights

3.6 mi · ▲ 1,559 ft · 1 hr 59 min

Elevation 12,847–13,959 ft

Out & Back · Arapaho National Forest

Trailhead: Summit Lake Trail · 39.59928, -105.64090

Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 7:28 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Summit Lake Trail, heading N.
  2. 50 ftPass Summit Lake.
  3. 0.2 miPass Chicago Lakes Lookout.
  4. 50 ftTurn left onto Mount Blue Sky Ridge Trail, heading W.
  5. 1.6 miReach Chicago Lakes Lookout, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 1.6 miTurn right onto Summit Lake Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.1 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

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 7:28 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~55 min). Leave by 6:13 PM for the 7:28 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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