King Lake Hike

This is a new hike for me. I’ve done the Lost Lake hike many times, but never taken the trail to King Lake. The Indian Peaks Wilderness requires groups of 8-12 to get a large group permit, which I have purchased. So group size is limited to 12.

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.

Difficulty: Moderate - about 12 to 12.5 miles with about 2,500 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Surrounded by the Indian Peaks Wilderness, King Lake is tucked into a gently rounded cirque that, at more than 11,500 feet, promises to still have snow into July. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/king-lake-trail?search=true

NO DOGS ALLOWED: No dogs on this hike please.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Hessie trailhead at 6:25am. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use google maps, you can type in “Hessie Trailhead” and that should take you to the trailhead, which is west of Nederland.

For those interested in carpooling from the Nederland Middle-Senior High School, please meet at the school at 6am for the carpool. To get to the school, if you use google maps, you can type in “Nederland Middle/Senior High School” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Nederland Middle-Senior High School” for directions. The address is 597 County Road 130, Nederland, CO 80466.

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=-105.66473406369995&lat=39.94797408430733

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.