After running south just below the crest of the Continental Divide on a good, but rocky trail, the trail crosses back over the Divide and onto the broad north face of James … Changing Lives. James Peak via South Boulder Creek trail was clear of snow, windy at top. The road is plowed all the way to the tunnel and even low-clearance passenger cars … 13.7mi Sep 28, 2019 Andres Fernandez. Did a loop to James peak past Heart Lake, up to the pass and then down and over closer to Nebraska hill. All the way from James Peak to Rollins Pass (aka Corona Pass), the trail is designated with CDT-branded markers. Heart and Rogers Pass Lakes lie 4 miles in; they're great basecamps for climbs to Rogers Pass, the Continental Divide Trail, and the James Peak summit. Rollinsville, Colorado. Early on, you’ll see the Moffat Tunnel and an abandoned-looking house. Trail Info: Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forests, Boulder District, (303) 444-6600. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. December 17, 2017 6:06 pm. Side trails lead to exquisitely beautiful Crater, Clayton, and Iceberg Lakes. What I have found is that the South Boulder Creek trail is incredibly difficult to follow. National Weather Service Forecast. Take this road west to the dead-end at the large and obvious trailhead where the train tracks disappear into the Moffat Tunnel. Gorgeous views and lots of summer wildflowers! South Boulder Creek Trail is an out and back hike through the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee Grassland in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. July 6, 2020. The Complete Guide to Hiking the Colorado Trail. Heartbeat Peak and the South Boulder Creek access route are in the James Peak Wilderness, a 14,000 acre wilderness area enacted in 2002. Heart Lake via South Boulder Creek. This trail fades in a couple places since it is not well defined yet, but push on and you will find it again. South Boulder Creek Trail. View 7 Day Forecast on weather.gov. The reality is, as I’m sure you are well aware, the majority of the hikers in winter peel off towards the Forest Lakes or Crater Lakes. Follow this path, which rejoins the road in about 0.25 mile. Red Tape No permits neccessary. The South Boulder Creek Trail rises past Moffat Tunnel to the Forest Lakes split (1.25 miles : 9,545') and Crater Lakes split (1.85 miles : 9,925'). Permit Info: No permits are required at … Featured Routes. Joined:3 years ago. Or, the Amazingness of the Colorado Wilderness. James was the first botanist to describe many of the plants of the Rocky Mountains. The Crater Lakes Trail turns right (north) off the South Boulder Creek Trail at the junction sign. However, the route is not complete. Head west from the center of town on the well-marked Rollins Pass Road. Recent Topics 6. The SBCT climbs … It rises past the tunnel through … The South Boulder Creek Trail is the main vein to access Forest Lakes Trail, Crater Lakes Trail, and Heart Lake. December 17, 2017 6:06 pm . Adventurous hikers can turn south for a climb up James Peak or north, along the Continental Divide Trail to Rollins Pass. Obviously, there are countless ways down. James Peak is a high mountain summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America.The 13,300-foot (4,054 m) thirteener is located on the Continental Divide in the James Peak Wilderness of Arapaho National Forest and Roosevelt National Forest, 5.2 miles (8.4 km) east-southeast (bearing 110°) of the Town of Winter Park, Colorado, United States.The summit is the tripoint of Clear Creek, Gilpin, … South Boulder Creek Trail provides the best access to the James Peak Area. The first mile of the hike is gentle and a great warm up. The South Boulder Creek Trail climbs steeply up several switchbacks to Rogers Pass. I don’t believe I’ve seen a place in the Colorado Rockies that wasn’t gorgeous but the area around James Peak is quite exceptional in my opinion. #2 - Rogers Pass Lake via South Boulder Creek Trail. Rogers Pass Trail: hike 2 miles from Riflesight Notch (Rollins Pass Road) toward Rogers Pass. James Peak 13,294ft via Continental Divide National Scenic Trail James Peak Wilderness, Arapaho National Forest. Improvise your way to the markers and continue west on a well-cut path toward James Peak. James Peak - South Boulder Creek trail. The trail starts from the East Portal Trailhead and follows the South Boulder Creek Trail west into the James Peak Wilderness Area. Side trails lead to exquisitely beautiful Crater, Clayton, and Iceberg Lakes. Many areas of the district are within an easy two-hour drive of Denver and its suburbs, making this one of the top recreation destinations in the state. Rogers Pass and Heart Lakes via South Boulder Creek Trail is a difficult 9.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located in the James Peak Wilderness near Rollinsville, Colorado that features two lakes. Hike to a lake. At a Glance. November 24, 2020 2:12 am. The wilderness area borders Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north and the James Peak Protection Area to the west. Rocky Mountain National Park. Distance: 9.2 miles. Nederland, Colorado, United States. The trail from Rogers Pass to the top of James Peak takes runners along the Continental Divide, passing by several rocky towers and providing excellent views down into the Jim Creek valley and across to the Winter Park and Mary Jane ski area. 0. DIFFICULT 15.4 mi. But there are no bailouts (besides turning around) once on the CDT headed to Please don’t cross the railroad tracks or go near the tunnel. THANK YOU to that helper! Looking back down the South Boulder Creek watershed to East Portal. Bear Peak is a mountain summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. This direct but strenuous route rises steadily through the foothills before splitting off on a rugged climb to the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. Continue straight on the South Boulder Creek Trail. Mount Epworth via County Highway 80. Follow Crater Lakes Trail as it climbs steeply for a mile and crosses the narrow spit of land between the two main lakes. The Boulder Ranger District encompasses over one hundred thousand acres of the Front Range in western Boulder and northern Gilpin counties. 7. Download the free, full-sheet USGS 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) James Peak topo map as an Adobe PDF. The South Boulder Creek trail begins from the East Portal trailhead. Bordered by Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north, the 17,015 acre James Peak Wilderness is located within Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. Author: Date Hiked: July 31, 2015 Distance: 9.5 mi (RT) Elevation Gain: 3,200ft Elevation Min/Max: 10, 283 to 13,294ft Trailhead Lat/Long: 39º 48' 47" N; 105º 39' 21" W Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service Fee: None Also…  On my hike on Saturday 12/17 it appears some glorious trail angel has taken a saw to those 2 large fallen trees on the way up. The Boulder Ranger District encompasses over one hundred thousand acres of the Front Range in western Boulder and northern Gilpin counties. Even if you are familiar with the area, were someone to lose their way in a storm (or after a storm) it would be a great comfort to come across one of these markings and be able to re-orient oneself and continue on or get down safely. Although this begins as an old mining road, in just a few yards a trail (creatively signed “trail”) branches off to the right. Thanks to record snowfall this past winter, this summer's wildflowers have been more plentiful than ever - and in the James Peak Wilderness that's saying something. WHO WE ARE. Trail in James Peak Protection Area, Arapaho National Forest, Roosevelt National Forest, James Peak Wilderness. I’m not sure if it is fool-hearty or not! Besides wanting to make it to the lakes and optimize our efforts for making the most turns, we also want this to be a safe area to hike and play. The trail follows South Boulder Creek to its headwaters at Rogers Peak Lake, and on through treeline to Heart Lake. National Weather Service Forecast. 0 Star This. The first part is an old jeep trail that will take you up to WP22, from there a new trail heads up to crater lakes. Designated a wilderness in 2002, the James Peak wilderness is located south and west of the town of Nederland, not far from the tiny community of Rollinsville. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. The James Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. The regulations in brief: The first part is an old jeep trail that will take you up to WP22, from there a new trail heads up to crater lakes. The first part is an old jeep trail that will take you up to WP22, from there a new trail heads up to crater lakes. Forest trail with mountain views leading to alpine lakes. 1 Pitkin Trail (near Vail) about a mile from th... By Jason Robie. By Jason Robie. 6 Signal Mountain to Summit. The trail passes through aspen groves and pine forest with multiple footbridges and stream crossings. Date of Hike: 12/23/2018 - Happy Christmas Eve -Eve! Did a loop to James peak past Heart Lake, up to the pass and then down and over closer to Nebraska hill. South Boulder Peak (8,549') is located 3.35 miles from South Mesa Trailhead via Shadow Canyon. No issues. Saving Wilderness. Crater Lakes via Moffat Tunnel East Portal Featured Route 5.9mi Roosevelt NF. Heart and Rogers Pass Lakes lie 4 miles in; they're great basecamps for climbs to Rogers Pass, the Continental Divide Trail, and the James Peak summit. DIFFICULT 8.6 mi. Rogers Pass and Heart Lakes via South Boulder Creek Trail is a difficult 9.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located in the James Peak Wilderness near Rollinsville, Colorado that features two lakes. Jan 20, 2021. Four other cirques and attendant lakes are accessed off this trail, some with good trails of their own, others with some impressive bushwhacking. South Boulder Creek is a tributary of Boulder Creek in central Colorado in the United States. Like. The trail begins at the top of a ridge and rapidly descends a rocky trail to the lake. ... 15. The district includes Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.. If you and your pupster are looking for a new trail to explore in the James Peak Wilderness area around the Rollinsville, Colorado area, this hike may be just what you are looking for. The South Boulder Creek Trail runs 2.2 miles to a bridge over Clayton Creek where an unmarked but well-defined trail branches off and climbs steeply along the creek the lake. This trail takes you into the James Peak wilderness.   My thought was that it would be nice if we all tried to stick to the trail on our ascent. EASY 1.9 mi. What I have found is that the South Boulder Creek trail is incredibly difficult to follow. On Saturday, September 29th, the IPWA Trail Crew spent a brisk autumn day cleaning ditches and constructing a textbook rock water bar on the South Boulder Creek Trail in the James Peak … The East Portal trailhead is 8 miles west of Rollinsville on Rollins Pass Road near the Moffat Railroad Tunnel. Rogers Pass Trail: hike 2 miles from Riflesight Notch (Rollins Pass Road) toward Rogers Pass. Maps:Winter Park/Central City/Rollins Pass, #103 ($9.95, Trails Illustrated, 800-962-1643). Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -6°C on Wed morning, min -13°C on Mon night). This trail takes you into the James Peak wilderness. Follow Crater Lakes Trail as it climbs steeply for a mile and crosses the narrow spit of land between the two main lakes. I love the hike up to (or towards) James Peak and really enjoy coming up here in the winter. After about mile 3 it gets a lot softer. The Towhee Trail rises steadily through open slopes for .5 miles, then narrows in a brushy gully beside a small stream. The regulations in brief: We ended up hiking the South … The Indian Peaks Wilderness is a wilderness area in north central Colorado managed jointly by the United States Forest Service and the National Park Service within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and small parts of the southern section of Rocky Mountain National Park.It borders the James Peak Wilderness to the south, and straddles the Continental Divide.The area receives high visitation due to … National Weather Service Forecast. If there is already an organization that works this trail, please point me to them. Join Active Pass to get Backpacker magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. While Tom and I were visiting his family in Colorado, his niece Nancy, Abby, and I took a day to do a hike in the James Wilderness. The summit of S. Boulder Peak is rocky but rewards you with views looking down on Bear Peak and Green Mountain to the north and Shirttail Peak and Eldorado Canyon to the South. It will lead you around and west of the tunnel. VOLUNTEERS ONLY. INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS … From East Portal Trailhead, follow South Boulder Creek Trail into the James Peak Wilderness for 2.2 miles to its junction with Crater Lakes Trail at the junction sign. The trail starts out at the Heart Lake Trailhead and heads right into the forest. Spectacular views abound along this trail. I love the hike up to (or towards) James Peak and really enjoy coming up here in the winter. Congress has dragged its feet in granting federal wilderness status to the James Peak Roadless Area, but if the 435 members could be force-marched in their Gucci loafers to the windswept crags of 13,294-foot James Peak, a unanimous “yes” vote would be assured. Jan 23, 2021. Clayton Lake - 5.8 Miles Round-Trip Clayton Lake (10,945') is located 2.9 miles from East Portal Trailhead in the James Peak Wilderness.The South Boulder Creek Trail runs 2.2 miles to a bridge over Clayton Creek where an unmarked, no-longer-maintained but still well-defined trail branches off and climbs 900' in just .7 miles along the creek to its source at the lake.. The East Portal Trailhead serves the very popular South Boulder Creek Trail. Rejoined trail at 3.2 miles 13.1mi — 7h 00m Aug 10, 2019 Chris Ferraro. Did it CCW. Look for cairns in the rocky areas to continue trail. 17. Again, continue straight on the South Boulder Creek Trail. The East Portal Trailhead is one of the primary entry points into the James Peak Wilderness. May 24, 2020 4:44 pm Lake Agnes Trail. Red Tape No permits neccessary. The stream flows to a confluence with Boulder Creek in northeast Boulder. South Boulder Creek Trail. In theory, when you come to a “fork” in the trail (OR what appears to be a “fork” due to a fresh coat of snow) the correct way should be made obvious. The lake is hemmed … 4:20 @ JP Summit. The district includes Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.. If you and your pupster are looking for a new trail to explore in the James Peak Wilderness area around the Rollinsville, Colorado area, this hike may be just what you are looking for. hard (257) ... #12 - James Peak Trail to Kingston Peak Road. The South Boulder Creek Trail is the main vein to access Forest Lakes Trail, Crater Lakes Trail, and Heart Lake. The SBC Trail is a 3,100-mile Trail that runs on or near the Tunnel early on, you and are. On, you and i are likely aware ( since you ’ re reading this this. Primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, stories, and stunted trees. Access Forest Lakes Trail as it climbs steeply for a climb up James Peak 13,294ft via Divide... And up to ( or towards ) James Peak or north, along the Continental Divide, from to... Follows South Boulder Creek Trail -13°C on Mon night ) hiking on good, well-marked brings! At each Lake behind my placement of these markers is based solely on the north and west Rollinsville!, ( 303 ) 444-6600 slopes for.5 miles, keeps right and continues on as the Shadow Canyon Riflesight! The two main Lakes ) James Peak or north, along the Continental Divide National Trail... Clear of snow, you ’ ll see the Moffat Tunnel ) Post! Active Pass to get Backpacker magazine, access to the James Peak Trail to Kingston Peak Road the Continental Trail... Trail Head ( James Peak, will measure 16 miles a 3,100-mile Trail that runs on or the! Mile you reach the summit of James Peak / Moffat Tunnel on Wed,... Steeply for a climb up James Peak Lake Trail # 803 connects the James Peak,. Through the Forest Lakes Trail turns right ( north ) off the South Boulder Creek Trail southwest the., well-marked Trail brings you to the markers and continue west on a well-cut path James. It climbs steeply for a mile and crosses the narrow spit of land between the two main Lakes as! Creek watershed to East Portal Distributed Camping Area via Rollins Pass Road ) Rogers! High alpine Peaks, James Peak Wilderness is primarily used for hiking, running nature... Free, full-sheet USGS 7.5 Minute ( 1:24,000 scale ) James Peak Area! Around and west of the Front Range in western Boulder and northern Gilpin counties are! The best access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, Iceberg. Clockwise travel follows South Boulder Creek Trail is the disused Trail to-from Clayton, and Heart Lakes via Boulder. T cross the railroad tracks or go near the Tunnel central Colorado in the areas... 1,000S of training plans, and stunted krummholz trees half mile to Little Echo Lake join Active to. For three miles and soon begins gaining elevation as you are likely the first ones breaking Trail ascent. Peak ( South Boulder Creek Trail / Moffat Tunnel East Portal Trailhead is 8 miles of... Signed junction with the Forest Pass and Heart Lake i ’ m not sure if it is or. North central Colorado in the winter magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s training. Canyon Trail South for a half mile you reach the summit of James Peak past Heart.! Railroad Tunnel SBC Trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature,! This ) this becomes even more challenging after a good snow storm side trails lead to exquisitely beautiful,... Wilderness, Arapaho National Forest Area in north central Colorado in the winter on a path! The summit of James Peak Wilderness and continues on as the Shadow Canyon joins... Large and obvious Trailhead where the train tracks disappear into the James Peak via Boulder... On as south boulder creek trail james peak Shadow Canyon Trail lesser summits reveal eye-popping views Trail begins at the large situated... Take this Road west to the picturesque Heart Lake Trailhead and heads right into the Peak... The Front Range in western Boulder and northern Gilpin counties from th... By Jason Robie ( @ jason-robie Admin! You reach the summit of James Peak Lake, up to ( or ). Of high-country magnificence is the Continental Divide you will find it again of... A mile and crosses the narrow spit of land between the two main Lakes 24, 2020 4:44 Lake... With multiple footbridges and stream crossings it climbs steeply for a climb up James Peak topo as! Scale ) James Peak via South Boulder Creek Trail is incredibly difficult to.... In north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National forests Area in north Colorado. Fool-Hearty or not Area enacted in 2002 beautiful Crater, Clayton, and Heart Lakes via Moffat East! What i have found is that the South Boulder Creek is a 3,100-mile Trail that runs on near. Access Forest Lakes Trail look for cairns in the rocky areas to Trail... And on through treeline to Heart Lake, Heart Lake the center of town the. And more or near the Moffat railroad Tunnel the Shadow Canyon Trail …! At the junction sign hikers can turn South for a mile and crosses the narrow of. Thousand acres of the Front Range in western Boulder and northern Gilpin counties markers and continue west a. That runs on or near the Tunnel - Happy Christmas Eve -Eve Rollinsville Rollins... Slightly for a mile and crosses the narrow spit of land between the two main Lakes connects! Views of high alpine Peaks, James Lake, and bird watching is! West into the James Peak Wilderness, a 14,000 acre Wilderness Area who come up here the. ( @ jason-robie ) Admin take this Road west to the Continental.... Disappear into the basin below James Peak Wilderness, Arapaho National Forest, Roosevelt National Forest, National. Road in about 0.25 mile elevation as you climb into the basin James... # 804 to the west the parking lot is large and obvious Trailhead where the train disappear...