Local Insight: The Ice Lake Hike is Over-Rated and Here's Why

Thanks for watching this local guide to hiking Ice Lake, Colorado located outside of Ouray. This is the ancestral home of the Ute and Navajo people. In fact, “Ouray” is actually Chief Ouray’s name - he was the leader of the Tabagauche Ute tribe. Ice Lake is one of the most popular hikes in the country - and as of 2024 there still isn’t a permit system for this hike. This means you’ll be walking with TONS of people. Unless, of course, you read this guide down below. Support my channel - buy me a backcountry coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/megintheforest I don't accept sponsored gear or trips. I don't hawk courses. And I don't gatekeep information. My mission is to tell my story completely for free. This channel is completely funded by me. As always, visit wild spaces responsibly! Always pack out your trash including water bottles, fruit peels, toilet paper, and anything else you bring with you. Leave only footprints. Follow all closures, fire bans, drone regulations (no drones at Ice Lake), and dog rules (dogs must be leashed on all trails). If you want to backpack to Ice Lake you absolutely MUST camp below the lake. You cannot camp at either Ice Lake or Island Lake. There is a water source in a valley below the final push to the lake. Camp at least 200 feet from the water. No campfires. You also must bring (and use) a WAG bag. This is a special you poop in. Pro tip from a long-time bag pooper - be sure to scootch out of the way when you need to pee! Snag a WAG bag here: https://bit.ly/43oRb89 There is a first-come-first-served campground at the trailhead for Ice Lake. It fills up almost immediately. You can give it a try, but I’d have a backup plan. ✨ Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foxintheforestblog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ ✨ Additional Resources ✨ The Local Guide to the Ice Lake Basin Hike: https://bit.ly/icelakecolorado Other Things to do near Ouray, Colorado according to locals and how to do them without the crowds: The Local Guide to Ouray, Colorado: https://bit.ly/meetouray Top Ouray Hikes You Don’t Want to Miss: https://bit.ly/ourayhikes The Million Dollar Highway will leave your jaw on the ground: https://bit.ly/localguidemilliondollarhighway Practice Leave No Trace: https://bit.ly/leaveitbetterthanufoundit Hiking Safely in Colorado: https://bit.ly/cohikingtips ✨ Discover more about visiting Colorado like a local: The Ultimate Interactive Guide to Colorado: https://bit.ly/localcoloradoguide Local Tips: https://bit.ly/localcotips Colorado’s Top Hikes: https://bit.ly/bestcoloradohikes The Prettiest Places in Colorado: https://bit.ly/beautifulcolorado Scenic Drives in Colorado You Can’t Miss: https://bit.ly/coloradoscenicdrives Alpine Lakes in Colorado to Go Ga-Ga for: https://bit.ly/ColoradoAlpineLakes ✨ My favorite gear: OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte powder: https://amzn.to/3FIFQZn REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvVaq REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Freshette Pee Funnel: https://rei.pxf.io/e15EGO Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp: https://alnk.to/bEkq8CG SOL emergency bivvy sack: https://rei.pxf.io/7a9Oq3 More incredible gear I love: https://www.amazon.com/shop/megintheforest NOTE These are affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback from every purchase, no matter the purchase, at no additional cost to you. This is a small way you can show support for my channel and it means a lot, so thank you! Snag the Colorado Packing List: https://bit.ly/coloradopackinglist ✨ About the Photos and Video: Transparency is important to me when it comes to photography. There is Instagram and there is reality. And you should be inspired by BOTH. I intentionally use photos and videos that have been edited for color and lighting, and ones that haven’t. All the photos and videos you see of Ice Lake and Island Lake in Colorado were taken by me or my friends (we did this hike most recently for my bachelorette party). I rarely edit other people out of photos (and I would make a note here if I did!). #ouray #coloradotravel #coloradoadventure #bestofcolorado #colorado ✨ Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 00:16 - is the Ice Lake hike worth it? 00:29 - Rules and regulations for hiking Ice Lake, Colorado 00:47 - trail difficulty and distance 01:03 - safety information 01:29 - hiking to Island Lake 01:49 - how to beat the crowds at Ice Lake 01:56 - permit information 02:08 - the best time to hike Ice Lake 02:25 - outro