Comanche Lake in San Isabel National Forest sits in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado, a different range and character from the Sawatch fourteeners that dominate the northern San Isabel. The 7.5-mile round trip gains 2,000 feet through the less-visited southern forest, reaching a high alpine lake with wildflower basins and excellent solitude.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have a sharper, more dramatic profile than the rounded Sawatch peaks. The scenery from the Comanche Lake approach reflects this difference: steep ridgelines, rocky terrain, and the kind of vertical relief that characterizes the southern Colorado mountains.
The Route
From the Ophir Creek Trailhead, the trail climbs through conifer forest before breaking into the upper Sangre de Cristo terrain. The wildflower basins in the approach reach their peak in late July. The lake is at 3.75 miles in an enclosed rocky basin below the surrounding ridgeline.
The basin at the lake provides good views toward the plains to the east, with the Wet Mountains visible beyond the main Sangre de Cristo crest. Return on the same trail.
What to Expect
The southern San Isabel is genuinely quieter than the Sawatch area. The Comanche Lake trail sees a fraction of the traffic of the Elbert or Massive approaches, and the solitude in the upper basin is excellent. Arrive without expectations of company.
Altitude is still a factor at nearly 12,000 feet at the lake. The trailhead is above 9,000 feet; the gain to the lake is 2,000 feet more. Fitness and acclimatization matter.
Nearby
Westcliffe, Colorado, the Custer County seat, is the nearest town with services, about 20 miles southeast. The Sangre de Cristo mountains provide a dramatic backdrop from Westcliffe that many consider among the finest mountain views in Colorado. The Bishop Castle, a unique folk art structure south of Rye on CO-165, is an unusual regional attraction worth a look.
Leave No Trace
This trail receives enough use that following Leave No Trace principles is important for preserving the experience for future visitors. Stay on the marked trail to prevent erosion. Pack out all waste. Avoid camping within 200 feet of water sources or the trail. Use existing fire rings only where campfires are permitted, and check current fire restrictions at checking conditions before you go before any visit. The trail and surrounding terrain remain in good condition because previous visitors have respected these norms.