crater lakes

Description: Some of the names might be familiar to you. Bob and Betty, Isabelle, Blue, Crater, Dorothy, Heart, Forest, Diamond, Jenny, Yankee Doodle, Mitchell, Long, Rainbow and many more. These are the alpine lakes of the Indian and James Peak Wilderness areas. They are all rare and beautiful gems placed in Mother Nature’s craggy tiara, the eastern face of the Continental Divide just west of Boulder. Each of these lakes has their own unique identity, but with very few exceptions all have one thing in common. They are not easy to access. By the nature of their name, these alpine lakes are typically found above 10,500’, with a few nestled in glacier carved cirques higher than 12,000’. For most of us who don’t aspire to be Jeremiah Johnsons that means these lakes are only accessible between a mid-July thaw and late-September, when new snow begins to hide their trails again. But, even during these two and a half months when the lakes shake their icy coats, it can be an investment in time and sweat to reach them. Beyond Boulder has only two alpine lake hikes considered to be easy hikes, Long Lake and Mitchell Lake. They are incredibly beautiful lakes in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and should be accessible to just about everyone visiting Boulder who wishes to make the hike. However, the vast majority of the alpine lakes are accessible only via longer, more strenuous trails.

Crater Lakes, well hidden in a glade of sub-alpine and montane spruce and fir trees, is an intermediate hike that will take the visitor through montane forest, into the sub-alpine, providing beautiful scenes of fast-moving streams and clear mountain lakes. In mid- to late-summer the area between the two lower lakes is ablaze with wildflower color of yellow, pink, rose, and white. There are actually three lakes, the third accessed via one of two steep ascents that head west from the lower lakes. The day we hiked to Crater Lakes it was late August and sweltering in Boulder, but standing next to one of the lakes fly casting for brook trout I was cool and comfortable, and very happy I made the trip.

Challenge Level: Intermediate, 6.1 miles, 1,440' Total Elevation Gain, 3-5 Hours.  There are no fewer than seven alpine lakes accessible from the South Boulder Creek trailhead. The hike to Crater lakes is the shortest of all of them, at just over six miles. It is also considered the easiest, although it still falls well into the upper-intermediate bracket, due to the overall altitude (10,600’), and the steepness of the trail as you leave the SBCT and head up the fork on Crater Lakes Trail. There you will gain 600’ in just two-thirds of a mile.

Mr. Moffat’s Tunnel: It’s pretty clear as you approach the trailhead for Crater Lakes that there is much, much more than a parking area here. The large concrete bunker with the gaping hole you see is the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel, and the tunnel has some grand history behind it. If you are interested in learning more about David Moffat, his tunnel, and how it came to be, check out our blog article Denying The Divide.

Driving Directions and Trailhead: East Portal, Moffat Tunnel Parking Area.  The drive to the trailhead is about an hour from downtown Boulder. Head west on CO-119/Boulder Canyon Dr/Canyon Blvd toward Nederland. At the traffic circle in Nederland, take the 3rd exit onto CO-119/N Bridge St and continue for 4.8 miles until you come to the town of Rollinsville. Turn right onto Main St/E Portal Rd. The road quickly turns to dirt and will cross the train tracks and S Boulder Creek several times. After 8 miles the road will end at a large trailhead parking area. You will see the trailhead signage and a register to the northwest of the parking area.

Trail Guide: Heading westward from the trailhead the S. Boulder Creek trail winds behind the east portal, crossing a couple of drainages before paralleling S Boulder Creek as it makes its way toward Rogers Pass. At 1.3 miles you will pass the junction of Forest Lakes trail. Continue straight on the SBCT, and it will soon become narrower, more shaded, and much rockier. At close to the 2.0 mile point you will arrive at the junction of the Crater Lakes Trail. Join the CLT to the right and begin the steepest part of the climb. At about 2.6 miles the trail will flatten out and you will start to see multiple trails winding through the trees. It shouldn’t really matter which you take, but stay heading west and you will come to a meadow and spot the northern lake on your right. The southern lake is more secluded, but is easy to find. There are many great tree trunks or rocks by the water for a nice picnic, or just settle in the meadow by the wildflowers.

Map Resources: US Forest Service Geo-Enabled PDF of East Portal

Après Hike: A great hike on a cold day.  What better beer to follow up a pairing like that than an IPA?  Well, you are in luck because Busey Brews in downtown Nederland has not one, but FIVE IPAs on tap (as of 8/6/2021). I well remember my first trip to hippy Nederland and the iconic smokehouse and brewery that since 2019 has been the home of Busey Brews. I was standing on their front porch when a smoke-belching, ancient school bus rolled past, adorned with hand-painted peace signs and ragged, but colorful curtains blowing from the open windows. Loud music and barking dogs could be heard from inside over the sound of an engine that was barely going to beat its muffler to the grave. I thought this was the perfect iconic image for a town like Nederland. Next to me on the porch was a gentleman of my age (mid-fifties as of 2012) that definitely looked the part of a local; long hair, beard, sandals and clothes time warped from a 60’s Berkley thrift store. As we watched the bus park out front and the door erupt in a stream of young, shoeless troubadours followed by their dirty, carefree dogs the man said, “Ah shit! Here come the friggin’ hippies!’ Busey Brews is located at 70 E 1st St, Nederland, CO 80466

Picnicking: No designated areas, but lots of great spots for relaxing and eating at both lakes.

Restrooms:  Yes, at trailhead.

Dog Friendly: Yes.

Cell Service: Sketchy, at best.