Lake County
Author(s): Andrew Spencer, Nathan Pieplow
County Seat: Leadville
County Size: 379 square miles
Low Elevation: 9,160 ft. - Arkansas River on the Chaffee border
High Elevation : 14,433 ft. - Mount Elbert
Best Birds : Alder Flycatcher (2003), Red-headed Woodpecker (2004)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: This high mountain county is one of the least birded in the state, and at first glance would not seem to be especially good for birds�it has the highest lowpoint of any Colorado county. However, Lake County has some fairly good lakes, and several different kinds of montane habitat. Even a few really good rarities have shown up here.
Birding Locations
Leadville National Fish Hatchery
Description - Leadville National Fish Hatchery is the second-oldest federal hatchery in the nation. Its grounds are open to the public for hiking and wildlife viewing, and include willow thickets, subalpine (spruce-fir) forest, and two public fishing ponds which can attract waterfowl, especially in late fall. Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles sometimes take advantage of the easy pickings here, and mammals on the property include elk and porcupine.
URL - Leadville National Fish Hatchery
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Spruce-Fir Forest, Streamside Willow
Directions - From Leadville, head 3.5 miles south from town on US 24, to a left-hand bend in the highway. Just past the bend, turn right on CO 300. Head 2.2 miles down this road to the hatchery.
Delorme - 47 C6
Roads of Colorado - 86 A2
Fremont Pass
Description - This high mountain pass is generally not very good for birds, but can have some typical mountain species. Red Crossbill is often seen from the road, and some of the small ponds just south of the pass can have mergansers and even the occasional gull.
Habitat - Spruce-fir Forest, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Streamside Willow
Directions - Note: distances are approximate. Fremont Pass is along state route 91. The actual summit of the pass is in Summit County, and the county line is 1.3 miles south of the pass (13 miles north of Leadville, and 10 miles south of the CO 91 and I-70 intersection).
Delorme - 48 B1
Roads of Colorado - 70 B4
Leadville
Description - Leadville can provide an opportunity to clean up on city birds in Lake County. Check for feeders around town – Pine Grosbeak has been seen, and Rosy-Finches are possible in season. Eurasian Collared-Doves arrived in 2005. Finally, look for hawks just south of town, with Rough-legged Hawk being surprisingly reliable in the late fall.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban
Directions - Leadville is along US route 24, 34 miles north of Buena Vista, and 23 miles south of the CO 91 and I-70 intersection.
Delorme - 47 B7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A1-B2
Turquoise Lake
Description - This is one of the three large lakes in Lake County, and usually the least productive. However, this can be a good lake for grebes, and there is usually at least one Common Loon in the late fall. Small numbers of ducks are often present as well. During the summer there is usually too much traffic on the lake for birds, but the nearby spruce-fir forest can have a few species.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - From the center of Leadville, head west on 6th ave. Stay straight on 6th as it becomes Lake CR 4, for 3.5 miles to a three way intersection. Take the right fork, which is the continuation of CR 4. Turquoise Lake is along the north side of this road in about a mile, and can be scanned from multiple points along CR 4.
Delorme - 47 B6-B7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A1
Twin Lakes (Lake County)
Description - These are the other two large lakes in the county. They are also usually far better than Turquoise Lake. The better of the two is usually the larger eastern lake. In the fall large flocks of ducks, grebes, geese and even some loons can be found, and in the spring shorebirds can be present if the water level is sufficiently low. Osprey has been seen here in the summer and may breed. Note that there is a fee for most lake access, including the best scanning spots.
Landbird habitats around the lakes are quite productive. The White Star Campground in the northwest part of the lake area has some of the only mature Ponderosa Pine forest in the county, and should be searched for Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Tanager and the like. The west end of the western lake supports a large willow carr. The sage on the reservoir's north side has Sage Thrasher in season. Across Hwy 82 to the north, FR 125, a four-wheel-drive road leading up to the Colorado Trail and Mt. Elbert, runs through lots of very nice aspen including some mature stands.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Ponderosa Forest, Aspen Grove, Streamside Willow, Sagebrush
Directions - Follow US 24 south from Leadville about fifteen miles to its junction with CO 82. Turn right (west) onto 82, following signs for Aspen. The lakes are on the south side of the road about a mile west of US 24.
Delorme - 47 D6-D7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A3
Mount Elbert Forebay
Description - On this small lake just north of the Twin Lakes at the base of Mt. Elbert, usually the only thing you will see is the occasional merganser. However, both goldeneyes, both Aechmophorus grebes, and a variety of other waterbirds have shown up here, and occasionally the place can be nearly as birdy as Twin Lakes.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - Follow US 24 south from Leadville about fifteen miles to its junction with CO 82. Turn right (west) onto 82, following signs for Aspen. In about four miles, turn right (north) on CR 24C. Follow the road through the campground and continue back northeast on CR 24 to the Forebay.
Delorme - 47 D7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A3
Independence Pass
Description - If you want to see above-treeline species in Lake County without a lot of hiking, or a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this is the place to go! Independence Pass is one of the few places in the state where a paved road goes above 12,000 feet, and accesses some beautiful tundra. Look for American Pipits, Brown-capped Rosy-Finches, and, if you are lucky, White-tailed Ptarmigan.
Habitat - Spruce-fir Forest, Krummholz, Streamside Willow, Alpine Tundra
Directions - Follow US 24 south from Leadville about fifteen miles to its junction with CO 82. Turn right (west) onto 82, following signs for Aspen. The pass is about fifteen miles west on 82--you can't miss it. Take care when driving this road, especially if you head west down the Pitkin County side.
Delorme - 47 D5
Roads of Colorado - 85 F2-F3
Mount Massive Lakes
Description - These small lakes can be good for a variety of dabbling and diving ducks, but rarely for any other waterbirds. The surrounding habitat can have Mountain Bluebird, Cassin's Finch, Evening Grosbeak, Vesper Sparrow, and other typical high-elevation grassland, willow, and aspen species.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Mountain Meadow, Streamside Willow, Aspen Grove
Directions - From US 24 about six miles south of Leadville, at a place where the highway bends slightly to the right (west), continue straight on CR 7 (FR 425). The lakes are about 1.5 miles from the highway on both sides of the road.
Delorme - 47 C7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A2
Crystal Lakes
Description - Two small ponds can be found along Hwy 24 about 4.5 miles south of Leadville. The tiny one on the east side of the Highway is difficult and dangerous to scan due to the lack of pullouts, but the larger one on the west has a parking lot. It is popular with fishermen but can also attract diving ducks and maybe even shorebirds. Many nest boxes around the parking lot host Mountain Bluebird and Tree Swallow families. The sagelands to the southwest are part of the Crystal Lakes State Trust Land and are open year-round for wildlife recreation. Look here for Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher and even Brewer's Sparrow.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Sagebrush
Directions - From Leadville, head south on US 24 about 4.5 miles until you pass between two ponds, a tiny one on the left and a medium-sized one on the right. Just past the ponds, turn right at the sign for Crystal Lakes and follow the road around the buildings to the parking lot.
Delorme - 47 C7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A2
Hayden Meadows Recreation Area
Description - This area right along Hwy 24 is owned by the city of Aurora and operated in agreement with the Lake County Open Space Initiative. This spot has a little dry sage and high grassland habitat and a mile of riparian willow along the Arkansas River. There is access to a seven-acre fish pond worth checking for ducks.
Habitat - Stream, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Streamside Willow, Sagebrush
Directions - From Leadville, head south on US 24 about six miles, passing Crystal Lakes and the turnoff to CR 7, to a bridge where the highway crosses the Arkansas River. Just past the bridge, turn left at your first opportunity, into the parking lot for Hayden Meadows.
Delorme - 47 C7
Roads of Colorado - 86 A2