Skinny Fish Lake

Managing agency

Pike-San Isabel NF — South Platte RD

Skinny Fish Lake is a 6.2-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado that ascends 974 feet to reach an alpine lake. The trail gains elevation steadily throughout the hike, making it a moderate workout for most hikers. The out-and-back format means you'll retrace your steps on the return journey, covering approximately 12.4 miles total. The trail provides access to Skinny Fish Lake, a destination alpine lake surrounded by higher elevation terrain. The elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet is distributed across the round trip, creating a consistent climbing effort on the way in and a descent on the way out. This hike is suitable for hikers with moderate fitness levels who are comfortable with sustained elevation gain. The wilderness area designation suggests the trail passes through protected backcountry terrain. Plan for a full day outing when accounting for the distance, elevation, and time needed to enjoy the lake destination. Conditions and trail difficulty can vary seasonally, so check current conditions before heading out.