Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Forest Lakes Trail #809

East Portal Trailhead to (one way):

• Forest Lakes Trail intersection: 1.2 miles
• Forest Lakes: 4 miles
Forest Lakes Trailhead to:

• Forest Lakes: .25 miles

Elevations:

• East Portal Trailhead: 9,211'
• Forest Lakes: 10,650' and 10,800'
• Forest Lakes Trailhead: 11,020'

Season of heaviest use: June through October (open year round)

Use: Moderate

Rating: More Difficult

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 leads from the parking area around the north side of the old 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 rejoins the old South Boulder Creek Trail in the first meadow, where planks have been laid over the muddiest sections of trail. The Forest Lakes Trail intersection is well-marked where it forks to the north in the second open meadow. From here, the Forest Lakes Trail cuts across the front of a steep ridge on an old jeep trail for half a mile to where it meets up with Arapaho Creek. The creek crossings do not have bridges and can be difficult to impossible to negotiate in late spring and early summer. The trail follows the creek north/northwest on a gentle grade for a mile. A rock cairn marks the turn-off for Forest Lakes Trail where the Arapaho Lakes Trail turns to the left (west) and crosses the creek. Continuing north, the Forest Lakes Trail continues to the lowest of the Forest Lakes, while the stretch of trail between the lower lake and the upper lake may be difficult to find. The last half-mile from the lakes to the Forest Lakes Trailhead is well used.