Lower & Upper Crater Lakes Hike

Difficulty: about 7.5 to 8.5 miles with about 1,800-1,900 feet elevation gain. Highest elevation is just over 11,000 feet.

This will be a group hike, where we will hike together and everyone will wait at all trail junctions, creek crossings, and occasionally otherwise so that no one hikes on their own for safety reasons. Plan on a moderate pace of about 2.5 mph average moving speed (slower up, faster down). Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The Crater Lakes are a fantastic destination in the heart of the James Peak Wilderness. This trail has it all, with beautiful forests, pristine alpine lakes…and a chance to see wildlife. A number of years ago, I hiked as far as the lower lakes, but I’ve not hiked to the upper lake. The trail to the upper lake is very steep with loose rock…but once up there, we should be rewarded with killer views and a beautiful alpine lake. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/crater-lakes-via-south-boulder-creek-and-crater-lakes-trail

DOGS: No dogs on this hike please.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Moffat Tunnel parking area. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use google maps, you can type in “Moffat Tunnel - East Portal” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Moffat Tunnel” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.66586139391202&lat=39.895157719474554

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.