Trail Update as of 6/20/2024: Trail cleared the loop Opal Lake TH to Fish Creek to Leche Creek Trail Head – 8 miles by the San Juan Outdoor Club Volunteer.
Please share any trail updates in the Comment section below
Please share any updates, or photos, in the comment section below.
Length: 1.2-miles (one-way to the lake) or 4-miles to Leche Creek Trail No. 576
Trailhead Facilities: None
Uses: Hiking and Horseback Riding
Short Trail Summary: This hike description is to junction with the Leche Creek Trail No. 576.
Opal Lake is a popular destination hike for families and locals ready to begin the hiking season in the spring. Don’t underestimate the hike, the first 3/4 of a mile is a moderately steep grade. After that the trail flattens out somewhat in the Aspen forest
The trail passes through stands of aspen and a mixed forest of spruce and fir. Small meadows with abundant skunk cabbage are the first buds of the season. Before reaching the lake you will see an intersection with the Fish Creek Trail #575 on your left and then at 1.1 miles another intersection with a trail leading off to the right. This right turn will take you toward No Name (Lizzie Lake). continuing straight at this intersection for a short distance will get you to Opal Lake.
The trail towards No Name (Lizzie Lake) passes through ascending meadows before becoming a closed in forest with occasional views to the north from rocky points. Early season hiking is often snow ridden and mid-season hiking offers small streams to fill water bottles.
At 3.4-miles you will pass to the north of an unnamed lake before descending downhill and a meadow-forest pathway to the junction with the Leche Creek Trail No. 576.
Directions: From US 160/US 84 junction, turn south onto US 84. Travel 8-miles and turn northeast onto Blanco Basin Road (CR 326), a gravel road. After 9.5-miles turn south onto FS 660 (Castle Creek Road). Continue for 3.3-miles to FR 023 (Opal Lake Road). Turn south and continue an additional .7-mile to the trailhead.
July 15, 2023. The spring feeding the lake suffered a landslide approximately 2 weeks ago. As of today the water level is down about 4 feet. Vegetation is filling in all along the shoreline.
As of 5/15/2022 three trail was clear. ?
On July 7th, there is a blow-down across the trail (12″ diam) about .6 mile from the TH, shortly after crossing the larger stream. Easy to step over. Bill sadd
Road to TH is closed, so hiked the 4 miles in from FS-668. Very little snow but muddy on the approach – road should dry in 1-2 weeks if no additional heavy rain. Trial to lake was slightly wet in places, but overall good until about 1/4 mile from lake, where significant snow blocks passage. We were postholing to mid-thigh in places, but for a committed adult it was not bad. Children and families should wait a few weeks. Lake is beautiful! We saw no one else on the trail.
May 8, 2020 Mike cleared Opal trail to wilderness boundry on Fish Trail. Pretty dry connditions, no slipping in mud this year.