Capitol Lake via Capitol Ditch

The route to Capitol Lake is fairly straightforward, but not without its minor hardships. The route begins at the end of Capitol Creek Road, 9 miles from the small "town" of Snowmass (NOT Snowmass Village - that's the high-class ski resort). The last few miles of this road provide the first minor hardship, as it is rated as a 4WD road and does have a number of fairly difficult spots. However, in the parking lot, I saw a few minivans and even a Mini Cooper, so the road is definitely passable by most vehicles.

Once parked, go to the western edge of the parking lot to find the Capitol Ditch Trail. There is a trail information board and a TH marker. It may say Capitol Creek Trailhead, but do not fear, this is the much mellower Ditch Trail (it avoids the elevation loss and regain of the Creek Trail). After just over a mile you will come to a junction where you will angle left, cross the drainage ditch and head up a hill. For the next 1.5 miles, the trail is easy to follow and will provide many great views of Capitol Peak while meandering through aspens, over creeks, and through meadows. The only real challenge may come in the form of cows. There are tons of cows on the trail, and therefore lots of cowpies. At times you may even need to physically move a cow from off the trail as it looks at you and wonders why you are touching it.

After this relatively easy 1.5 miles, you will drop down into a meadow and see before you a junction in the trail and Capitol Creek. To the left, the trail looks as though it goes straight into the creek and disappears, while the right side looks very well-defined and well-worn. While the right side looks better, go left and cross over the fairly wide and fairly deep creek - there are narrow areas to jump across if you look for them. The right side path will take you down cow trails and ultimately lead you nowhere.

Once you have crossed the creek, head up to a trail junction with a marker. This is where the Creek Trail meets the Ditch Trail. The route to the lake should be marked, but if it isn't, just turn right and follow the good trail as it starts to gain elevation as it works its way through forested sections.

This stretch of trail after the Creek/Ditch Trail junction contains most of the elevation gain, however, compared to many 14er trails it is very tame and manageable. There is also no shortage of things to look at and admire as you work your way through forests and over the creek, so take your time and enjoy the views.

After working your way up through the forest you will be dumped off in your final meadow right below Capitol Lake. Climb a steep hill through this meadow and follow the trail and soon you will find yourself at a 4-way trail junction staring right up at Capitol Peak. After a minute or two, scrape your jaw off the ground and take a right at this junction to head to the largest cluster of campsites. If staying overnight at Capitol Lake, advance reservation overnight permits are required and must be purchased in advance at recreation.gov. Approved bear food storage containers are also required and strictly enforced. There are no sites around the lake itself, but from the junction, the lake is only about a 30-second hike if you head up straight. For more information, see here.

Set up camp, and enjoy the views and the light company you may have on a summer weekend. If you plan on going to the summit of Capitol Peak, get a lot of rest and get ready for a big (but short) climb the next day. The route to the summit starts if you take a left at the junction and head up a steep slope to the saddle of Capitol and Mt Daly....but more on that later.