Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Crater Lakes Trail #819

From the East Portal Trailhead to Crater Lake is about 3 miles (one way) on this More Difficult trail that is moderately used from June through October (open year round).

Elevation:

• East Portal Trailhead 9,211'
• Crater Lakes: 10,600'

USGS Maps: East Portal and Empire Quads

Trailhead Location: Traveling south from Nederland on Highway 119, go west out of Rollinsville on gravel County Road (CR) 16 (also Moffat Road or Rollins Pass Road). Drive seven miles to the end of CR 16 (CR 16 ends at a T-junction). Go left one mile to park at the East Portal Trailhead or, if you have a high-clearance vehicle, go right and drive an additional 11 miles on a native surface road, to park at the Forest Lakes Trailhead.

A newly constructed trail leaves the parking area at the north side of the train tunnel. This half-mile re-route of the South Boulder Creek Trail addresses safety and private property issues at the mouth of the Moffat Train Tunnel. The re-routed section re-joins the old South Boulder Creek Trail in the first meadow, where planks have been laid over the muddy section of trail. The Forest Lakes Trail intersection forks to the north in the second open meadow. Continuing southwest on the South Boulder Creek Trail, the grade grows steeper and the trail rockier. The Crater Lakes Trail turns right (north) off the South Boulder Creek Trail, .75 mile beyond the meadow at the Forest Lakes Trail junction. There is usually a cairn marking this junction. The trail climbs steeply about a mile to the two main Crater Lakes. It crosses the narrow slice of land between them and continues another half-mile to the highest lake. Although these lakes are quite popular, the trail is difficult to follow. The result is a network of braiding paths that go in many directions. On the way down, try to avoid ending up on one that passes the lowest lake and follows the outlet stream, as it is extremely steep.