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Saint Mary's Glacier

·
Moderate
1.7miLength
508ftElevation gain
Out & back
Explore this 1.7-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a very popular area for cross-country skiing, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. • Parking Fee: Parking for Saint Mary's Glacier is on private land and requires a fee. For more information, please visit: https://www.stmaryspoa.com/visitors Located a short distance from Idaho Springs, Colorado, this hike to Saint Mary’s Glacier offers spectacular views and the chance to visit a beautiful alpine lake and glacier. Summer is a great time to visit the glacier. The snow-covered landscape during the winter also makes for some amazing views at the top. If you are heading out on this route in the winter months, or plan to explore the glacier itself, you will need technical gear in order to complete the route. It is also a good idea to keep your eye on avalanche conditions any time you are heading out on a hike in the winter months in Colorado. After setting out on Saint Mary's Trail, you’ll arrive at the lake after a short distance. This gorgeous lake is a great resting point and offers fantastic views. The trail continues to the glacier, where the obvious route disappears and you’ll need to find your own path. There are many opportunities to explore the lake and the glacier before heading back the way you came in. To get to the trailhead, take Exit 238 and follow Fall River Road to the parking lot. Parking along the side of the road for to access this trailhead is not permitted.
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Fee required
Dogs on leash
Scramble
Rocky
Cross-country skiing
Fishing
Hiking
Snowshoeing
Forests
Lakes
Rivers
Views
Waterfalls
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Trailgoers are saying
4.7
Trail highlights include stunning views, a beautiful alpine lake, and the presence of waterfalls. Challenges consist of rocky terrain, steep inclines, and occasional snow. It's best to arrive early and wear sturdy footwear.
This summary is AI-generated from trail reviews and won’t always be perfect.
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Reviews

4.7
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1
TodayHiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Great quick hike up to the lake and glacier. There were snowboarders on the glacier fun

Conditions: No bugs, Well maintained
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TodayHiking
Great conditionsGreat views

A little wet but not bad at all. Not cold today

Parking: Paid, Medium lot
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Jun 10, 2025
Easy to parkGreat conditionsGreat views

one of my favorite trails, would do again! beautiful views

Jun 10, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat views

Very rocky but very worth it! Don’t forget to hike down to see the waterfall closer

Parking: Paid, Large lot
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Jun 9, 2025Hiking
Good viewsEasy to park

It

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Jun 9, 2025Hiking
Dog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Very rocky! A little slippery with the snow but made it in just hiking boots fine. Beautiful views & weather!

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 9, 2025Walking
Great conditionsGreat views

Fun rocky trail with great views

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Jun 9, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

There are several parking lots! From what I can tell, the parking costs anywhere from $10-$20 depending on the lot you park in. Snow is slushy, but manageable! Easy/Moderate hike! Rocky at the beginning! I didn’t have my pup with me, but so many people had theirs, so I assumed it was dog friendly! Incredible views! This is a can’t miss hike!

Parking: Paid, Large lot
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Jun 9, 2025Hiking
Good viewsDog-friendly

Rocky, snow on the trail, nice pay off with the alpine lake. Trail not very clearly marked so keep your path up for reference.

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 8, 2025Hiking
Great views

Cold and rocky, but gorgeous!

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Jun 8, 2025Hiking
Great views

Steep rocky hike up to the lake. Snowy spots. Great views! We arrived around noon on a Sunday; moderate amount of people on the trail. I was thankful because the trail is not marked!

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 8, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat views

Very very rocky. Make sure to wear your hiking boots with ankle support. Uphill the entire way there. But worth the alpine lake view! And so fun! Little chilly but you work up a sweat fast especially when the sun is hitting

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 8, 2025Scenic driving
Good viewsBathrooms availableDog-friendly

Slippery at spots. If going past the lake, you might want spikes or poles.

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 8, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat views

Very crowded today. Parking costs $10-20. Trail is loose rocks but easy to navigate. Great place to fish!

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Jun 8, 2025
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Steep way up but short and Great trail with beautiful views. Super crowded so definitely get there earlier than later. Definitely worth it!

Jun 7, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Stunning views!

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Jun 7, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Great trail. Rocky terrain the whole way up, snow on the trail towards the top. It was crowded but easy to navigate and enjoy. Great views and a beautiful hike

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Jun 7, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Great hike. Rocky and some terrain to navigate. Moderate incline. Payoffs totally worth every step. Some snow/ice mostly avoidable. No spikes needed. Do the cold plunge - bring a towel

Parking: Paid, Large lot
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Jun 7, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat views

Restrooms at parking lot, that cost $20 to park. The trail is really rocky the entire way, but it’s short and uphill the entire hike. Well worth the views.

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 5, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

There were still a couple of snowy patches on the way up, but the lake is full and the view is absolutely stunning.

Difficulty: Hard
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Jun 3, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat views

Easy parking, definitely have some hiking boots a lot of rocks on trail and snow. Great views definitely a couple inclines but well worth the hike to see the views.

Conditions: Muddy, Snow, Icy
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Jun 2, 2025Hiking
Good viewsEasy to parkBathrooms availableDog-friendly

Trailhead is reached by walking up or down the road between the two lots. Very rocky the entire way, use shoes with good ankle support. Snow along certain shaded parts of path but you can get around it. Generally climbing the whole way. Absolutely worth it for the views. A couple waterfalls, the lake is beautiful, and the glacier is stunning. Got to see people snowboarding down the glacier from the lake! So cool

Conditions: Muddy, Snow, Icy
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Jun 1, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Must do trail!

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 1, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful trail. Still some snow and water runoff that can be easily avoided. Lots of rock hopping. Easy trail if you're adjusted to the altitude.

Difficulty: Moderate
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Jun 1, 2025Hiking
Bathrooms availableGreat views

Started around 8 am and the trail wasn’t too crowded, but by the time we were leaving it got much busier. You have to pay either $10 or $20 to park. You get a nice view of a lake at the $10 lot at the bottom. Hiked 6/1 and there were still some snow packed spots.

Parking: Paid, Large lot
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May 31, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Stunning views, great conditions, very clean trail. Highly recommend!

Conditions: Muddy, Icy, No bugs, Well maintained
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May 31, 2025
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat views

The trail was super quiet. The middle of the lake out by the actual glacier was still frozen. everything surrounding wasn’t. The trail is mostly clear. once you get up toward the lake it gets a bit slushy and snowy but mostly just water on the trail. The weather was beautiful. It rained and got windy at the top but still warm. The water is ice cold and I could barely stand in it but it was beautiful. It’s only 3/4 of a mile up to the lake but it’s a bit steep and there’s a few spots where you’re sort of climbing over big rocks but it’s easy. The parking lot is about 2 walking minutes below the trail and it does charge you to park there. (Everything I read said it was $10 to park in the trailhead lot but I paid $20). There are plenty of portalettes at the parking lot as well as trash receptacles. There is a small “hidden” waterfall on the trail before you head up to the lake that I thought was great and my pup loved it too.

May 31, 2025Hiking
Dog-friendlyGreat views

Great trail! Still snowy so wear appropriate shoes!

Parking: Paid, Large lot
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May 31, 2025Hiking
Good viewsBathrooms availableDog-friendly

Beautiful hike. Got to see a skier come down the glacier! Very crowded starting at 11 on a Saturday with lots of families, dogs, and big/loud groups. So if you’re looking for true serenity in nature this might not be the hike but if you’re looking for a short hike with epic views this is a good choice.

Conditions: Muddy, Snow
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May 31, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Go early!!! Crazy busy on the way down at 10am. Peaceful going up with beautiful views :)

Parking: Entry fee, Paid
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Last updated on June 12, 2025 at 10:54 pm GMT