Mohawk Lakes - Colorado Waterfalls

 

Mohawk lakes provides some of the best opportunities for water photography in Colorado.  Not only will you shoot the beauty of two high alpine lakes which mirror the towering mountains around them, but there is a stunning  waterfall display which spills from the high lakes down the side of the mountains.  Actually is not a single waterfall at all.  It's really more like dozens of small waterfalls which cascade one after another down the mountain.   The hike is difficult to complete in a day, not due to length, but due to the amazing photo opportunities which seem to jump out from every turn in the trail.

Spruce Creek Trailhead:

This description is from the Spruce Creek Trailhead, which is accessible by car, for a one-way distance of about 3.4 miles. If you take a 4WD vehicle to the second trailhead, the distance to the lower lake is about 1.5 miles.

Start out on Spruce Creek Trail, a pleasant walk through the forest. In the summer, bring plenty of insect repellent; we found the mosquitos to be particularly thick along this stretch. At about 2 miles, you will cross the 4WD road, which is the continuation of Spruce Creek Rd., and is the route to the second trailhead discussed above.

Continental Falls:

At this point, the trail begins to climb, but is not too steep yet. After a short distance, you will come to a flat section from which you can see a steep hill ahead, with a series of waterfalls cascading down. This is Continental Falls on Spruce Creek, which you will be visiting shortly. A short distance further along the trail you will come to a fork in the trail. The main trail goes right, with Mayflower Lake a very short hike to the left.  During the Spring and Summer the water flow is quite heavy and makes for some realy wonderful long exposures (time to pull out your Neutral density filter).   If you come early enough in the season (May or even June depending on how warm the year is) you can enjoy seeing the water jump out from walls of snow which cover the stream and fall into the next level of snow below (be prepared to hike up snow covered steep trails, "boot chains" or snowshoes would be advised).   By late Summer and Fall the water has usually run thin and falls don't have quite the impact any longer.  That is not to say they are no longer worth seeing and photographing.

Mohawk Lakes:

From the Mayflower Lake intersection, it is a steady, often steep climb of about one mile to Lower Mohawk Lake. As the trail switchbacks ascending the mountain, take the side trails to the north to view Continental Falls, which spill from Lower Mohawk Lake above and cascade a long distance down the mountain. Near the top of the climb are the ruins of an old cable car system used to transport ore down the hill. This provides some great photo opportunities, with the ruins in the foreground and great mountain vistas in the background.

Scramble over some large boulders, and you'll arrive at Lower Mohawk Lake (11,800'). Lower Mohawk Lake is a shallow lake, with its rocky bottom clearly visible. It is in a very scenic setting, with dramatic views of Breckenridge down the valley, mountain peaks as a background, and the lake itself surrounded by rocks and boulders.

From Lower Mohawk Lake, you can take the trail around the left (south) side and continue on up the trail about 1/2 mile to Mohawk Lake (12,100', about 300' elevation gain from the lower lake), climbing quite steeply most of the way. From Mohawk Lake, the trail eventually climbs upward to Upper Mohawk Lake (about 12,400' elevation). The upper lake is in a rocky basin, and isn't particularly scenic.

Minning Ruins:

Near the very bottom of the Continental Falls you will find the ruins of some log cabins used during the Gold Rush era.  These make for really nice photos especially in mid summer when the grass is green and the ruins are surrounded by flowers. 

Near the top of the climb are the ruins of an old cable car system used to transport ore down the hill. This provides some great photo opportunities, with the ruins in the foreground and great mountain vistas in the background.

 

NOTES:

• Hiking Difficulty is mild for the first two miles
• The hike from the base of the falls to the lower lake is quite steep, though not super technical.  It's helps to be in good shape for this part.
• If you choose to hike up the falls themselves you will find some pretty technical areas where short climbs or rock hopping will be required.
• The hike from the lower to the upper lake is relatively easy, though often people have lost their wind just reaching the lower lake.  Keep in mind you are above 12,000 feet now.

Distance: 6.6 miles (round trip)

Walking time: 4 3/4 hours

Elevations: 1,700 ft. gain/loss
Spruce Creek Trailhead (start): 10,380 ft.
Lower Mohawk Lake: 11,820 ft.

Trail: Popular, well marked trail

Season: Midsummer through mid-Fall. The trail is covered with snow from mid-November through mid-July.

Vicinity: near Breckenridge