サウォッチ山脈のおすすめランニングルート

To be honest, it's a bit disappointing that they haven't managed to install a decent summit cross or other special marker on Colorado's highest mountain. Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico are much better at that on their highest mountains.

A breathtaking path bordered by stunning aspen trees, particularly striking during the autumn season. Along most of the trail you are surrounded by aspens.

The more northern miles of Turquoise Lake Trail (the section past the campsites) are known for being the rootier, rockier, hillier, and more technical portions of trail. With rocky access down to the shore at the end towards May Queen Campground, the rest of this section of trail stays in the trees crossing creeks and bridges.

The switchbacks going up Mount Belford start just after breaking treeline, and they don't stop until right before you get to the summit. It can be easy to get discouraged moving up this steep section, but the trail has wide open views the whole way with only better views at the top. Please don't cut the switchbacks when running downhill. The trail is so steep that erosion happens easily.

This is actually the site of the first aid station for the Leadville Trail 100 mile run. May Queen Campground serves as the western terminus of Turquoise Lake Trail. There is river/lake beach access from the campground parking area, and you can even walk out onto the lake in the spring when it is still frozen. The campground itself is a USFS campground with reservable sites and vault toilets right next to the trailhead.

The more northern miles of Turquoise Lake Trail (the section past the campsites) are known for being the rootier, rockier, hillier, and more technical portions of trail. With rocky access down to the pebble shore at the end towards May Queen Campground, the rest of this section of trail stays in the trees crossing creeks and bridges. This is a fun section of running away from the more crowded southern portion of trail.

The first half of the Turquoise Lake Trail passes by multiple USFS campgrounds, fishing areas, boat ramps, public beaches, picnic spots, and viewing areas. There is a separate singletrack trail system maintained by the Cloud City Wheelers branching into the main Turquoise Lake Trail within the first couple miles, and there are continuous views as you dive in and out of the trees. There is some slight up and down, but this trail is mostly flat (or as flat as you can find around here) and a good trail to run if you aren't looking to get a lot of uphills.

Turquoise Lake Dam acts as a hydroelectric power source, being fueled entirely by snowmelt from the peaks surrounding the lake. You can cross the dam and follow the road all the way around the lake or connect to the Turquoise Lake Trail on the other side of the reservoir at May Queen Campground.