Crater Lakes Hike - Moderate

The Crater Lakes (upper and lower) are a fantastic destination, in the heart of the James Peak Wilderness. This beautiful area gets far less visitors then it's popular neighbor to the north, the Indian Peaks Wilderness, but is every bit as scenic.

Distance: 7.4 miles
Elevation: 1740 ft

Bring spikes and gaiters if you have them, we will encounter snow.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/crater-lakes-trail-via-south-boulder-creek-trail

The trail starts at the Moffat Tunnel and climbs to two beautiful alpine lakes just below the Continental Divide. From the East Portal Trailhead start heading west parallel to the road and the Moffat Tunnel. The trail starts off gentle and weaves through aspen groves and pine forest.

Details: Lower Lakes, about 6 miles RT with 1,400 feet elevation gain. Distance to Upper Lakes, about 7-8 miles RT, with about 1,790 feet of elevation gain. We'll try to make it to the upper lake but it depends on the trail conditions.

Directions: From Rollinsville on Highway 119, turn on the dirt road marked East Portal Road/Rollins Pass (just before the bridge). Drive 7.2 miles to a split in the road. Turn left 0.8 miles to the trailhead at the Moffat Tunnel. (Rollinsville is 5 miles south of Nederland on Highway 119.)

As always, bring extra clothes, water, rain gear, and something yummy to share.

Carpools:

Boulder: meet on the north side of 6th at Canyon at 7:30, leaving at 7:40 sharp. Not the Justice Center lot - too many break-ins occur there. Turn right on 6th from canyon rather than left into the justice center.

Denver: I'd suggest the parking lot at 93 and 72, then take Coal Creek Canyon to Peak to Peak (Highway 119), turn left, then follow the directions above.