Mohawk Lakes Trail begins quietly enough, under pine cover and on a grade that lets you settle into a walking rhythm. Then the route starts asking more of you. Roots, loose rock, steep slopes and a rough final climb turn the outing into a genuine high-elevation mountain day rather than a simple lakeside stroll.
The reward comes in stages: waterfalls, old structures from the area’s mining past, wide-open slopes and finally a chain of alpine lakes beneath big Colorado mountain scenery. Lower Mohawk Lake is a satisfying destination on its own, while Upper Mohawk Lake and more remote back lakes give strong, acclimated hikers room to keep going.
A Forest Start With a Steeper Second Half
The early miles pass through forest, with a comparatively gradual gain and plenty of shade. One commonly described breakdown puts roughly 500 feet of climbing in the first two wooded miles, a useful indication of why the beginning can seem less demanding than the rest of the route.
After the Mayflower Trail area, the character of the hike changes. The trail climbs more sharply, the footing becomes rockier, and the terrain opens up. Near the lakes, the route can be exposed, windy and noticeably colder than the forest below, so layers are more than an afterthought.
The trailhead sits at roughly 10,200 feet, and the upper destination has been described near 11,800 feet. That elevation adds its own pressure to the climb. Visitors coming from lower elevations may find that fatigue and shortness of breath arrive sooner than expected.
Waterfalls and Remnants Along the Way
The route has useful landmarks that break the ascent into smaller pieces. An old log cabin appears roughly 2.7 miles from the parking area, followed about 200 yards later by the first waterfall. Short side paths lead to viewpoints for two waterfalls on the way toward Lower Mohawk Lake.
Between the cabin and the lake, an abandoned cable-car or cable-shack structure adds another unexpected sight. It is one of those pieces of mountain infrastructure that makes the landscape feel worked-in as well as wild, a reminder that this high country has a long practical history beneath its scenery.
In mid-July, patches of wildflowers have added color along the trail. They are a welcome bit of softness against the route’s rock, weathered timber and increasingly rugged ground.
Lower Mohawk Lake Is a Full Destination
Lower Mohawk Lake is where many hikers choose to pause, eat, take in the mountain views and turn around. It is reached only after a sustained climb, which gives the arrival some weight; this is not a lake that appears a few minutes from the car.
The final approach can involve scrambling over large rocks. Loose footing and steep slopes make this upper portion considerably tougher than the forest walk below, particularly when rocks are wet. Sturdy footwear is a sensible baseline for the route.
The lakes also draw people who come to fish, adding a quieter counterpoint to the exertion of the hike. A person can spend a while at the water without treating the day as a race to the highest possible point.
Going Higher to Upper Mohawk and Beyond
Hikers with more energy and solid altitude legs can continue from Lower Mohawk Lake to Upper Mohawk Lake, an impressive higher basin with broader high-country views. The scenery becomes more exposed, and the effort continues to build.
Beyond the two principal lakes are additional back lakes for those extending the day. These upper reaches may be less clearly defined than the lower trail, so the obvious path and posted signs become more important than expecting constant, formal trail marking.
Francie’s Cabin sits near the upper portion of the trail. It is a privately supported cabin with overnight stays available through booking arrangements, and its porch has served as a brief resting spot for hikers moving through the area.
Out and Back, With a Few Route Variations
Most people experience Mohawk Lakes as an out-and-back. That format works well because Lower Mohawk Lake provides a clear, scenic stopping point, while Upper Mohawk Lake and the back lakes let each group decide how much farther to go.
A loop incorporating Spruce Creek and Mohawk Lake has also been completed, though it is a bigger undertaking than simply returning on the approach trail. The trailhead opens into a broader network of high-country objectives, so a day here can be tailored to ambition, conditions and the amount of daylight available.
Several hours are appropriate for an outing to Lower Mohawk Lake, with additional time needed for Upper Mohawk Lake or farther destinations. Rest breaks, weather, route finding and acclimation can all change the pace considerably.
Road, Parking and Mountain-Day Preparation
Parking is free, but the trailhead can fill early during busy summer weekends. The approach includes a bumpy gravel road, and some hikers park lower down and walk a portion of the access route. Vehicles with suitable clearance may be able to continue farther up to a smaller parking area, though conditions and access can change.
The lower trail is generally signed, but navigation becomes less straightforward near the upper lakes. Snow can linger into early June and create slow, deep sections. Rain changes the equation too, making roots and rocks slippery.
This is a hike to approach with water, sun protection, insect repellent, warm layers and, in cooler conditions, gloves. Checking the forecast matters in terrain that shifts from shaded woods to exposed alpine ground. The payoff is a day that keeps changing underfoot: forest first, then waterfalls and old mountain remnants, then a hard-earned run of lakes high above the trees.