If you want alpine lakes, wildflowers, mountain views, and fewer crowds than nearby Mount Bierstadt, Square Top Lakes Trail (South Park 600) is one of the best hikes in Colorado. Near Georgetown, Colorado, it’s also a great alternative to the very popular Silver Dollar and Murray Lakes hike off of Guanella Pass.

Starting from Guanella Pass Summit at 11,669 feet, the trail drops into a broad alpine meadow before climbing past streams, willows, and two beautiful lakes. The first stretch descends quickly into a vast alpine meadow. Those railroad-tie steps may not seem like much at the start, but they become the final push to the parking lot on the return.

Square Top Lakes Trail Stats

Distance: About 4.5 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: About 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead Elevation: 11,669 feet
Route: South Park Trail #600 to Square Top Lakes
Dogs: Allowed and very popular on this trail

Wildflowers and Dogs Along the Trail

Wildflowers filled the meadow, including plenty of my favorite, Indian paintbrush. I hiked it with my buddy Greg on a cool summer morning. Starting a little after 7am, we took our time enjoying the scenery. If you want to push the pace for a training solo hike, it’s great for that too.

The trail is also popular with dog owners, which added some extra entertainment along the way. We decided every dog had to pay a “pet toll” before passing us. Stevie, a very stylish English setter wearing purple doggles and a matching purple harness, was one of the early standouts.

As the trail approaches Lower Square Top Lake, it winds through patches of willows and crosses a couple of small streams. The water crossings are easy. They added a little fun and mud to the route through the willows.

We reached the lower lake about 8:30am, after many stops to admire wildflowers and pet pups. It’s easy to pass the short trail to the lake. If you start going up, you’ve missed it and should double back for the lakeside view.

Maybe it was the two people casting lines while fly fishing on the far side of the lake or a couple of dogs cooling off with a swim, but Lower Square Top Lake was the prettier of the two lakes for me. Its setting is peaceful and intimate, with the water framed by rocky slopes and alpine terrain.

Climbing to Upper Square Top Lake

We hung out by the lower lake for about 15 minutes before venturing on to upper Square Top Lake. It takes about 15-20 minutes to hike this section climbing through more willows with muddy spots, easy water crossings, and uneven terrain.

The upper lake may not be quite as pretty as the lower one, but it wins for the view. We got lucky with calm wind, which is never guaranteed at this elevation. The still water reflected the clouds and surrounding peaks. Instead of staying for just a few minutes, we snagged the picnic rock with a perfect panorama of lower Square Top Lake along with Bierdstadt and other peaks of the Front Range.

Since neither of us had to be back in Denver for anything specific, we stayed for about 40 minutes, eating, talking, and enjoying an epic summer morning in the Rockies.

Mount Bierstadt Views on the Return

I love an out-and-back trail with a view and this return hike delivers. Mount Bierstadt and the surrounding peaks fill the view for much of the walk back. While cars packed the road and parking areas across the pass for Bierstadt, the west side of Guanella Pass felt surprisingly quiet.

On the way down, we chatted with multiple hikers on their way up. More dogs paid the required pet toll on the way down, including Millie, or possibly Mildred, a golden retriever posing like royalty on a rock.

We finished before noon, grateful for a leisurely morning of wildflowers, conversation, alpine lakes, and phenomenal views.

Parking at Guanella Pass

Park only in designated areas. On the way up, just before 7a cars lined Guanella Pass and we could barely get through. I was praying a car didn’t come from the other direction!

The Square Top Lakes parking lot is across from the Mount Bierstadt trailhead, but it is not overflow parking for Bierstadt. As we drove toward Georgetown, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office was ticketing vehicles parked illegally along Guanella Pass Road.

The issue is more than an inconvenient parking ticket. Vehicles lining the narrow road can prevent emergency vehicles from getting through.

Lunch in Georgetown

On the drive back, just before getting into Georgetown, I spotted several bighorn sheep standing on a rocky outcropping for a fun “see ya later” from Guanella Pass.

We ended the outing with lunch at Cooper’s on the Creek. Starving, we quickly ordered. To start, we shared pimento cheese and crackers, although toast points would have made it even better. I ordered the hemp burger. It was surprisingly delicious alternative to a black been burger and a great finish to a fun Colorado hiking day.

For alpine lakes, wildflowers, fewer crowds, and memorable views of Mount Bierstadt and the Front Range, the Square Top Lakes Trail is a gem off of Guanella Pass.

For an alternative hike with no crowds on Guanella Pass, check out my post on Bruno Gulch Loop.