Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
South Boulder Creek Trail #900

East Portal Trailhead to (one way):

• Heart Lake: 4.2 miles
• Rogers Pass: 4.6 miles
Elevations:

• East Portal Trailhead 9,211'
• Heart Lake: 11,300'
• Rogers Pass Lake: 11,060'
• Rogers Pass: 11,900'

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 Colorado Highway 119, go west out of Rollinsville on gravel County Road 16 (Moffat Road, Rollins Pass Road). Go seven miles to the end of County Road 16 (Road 16 ends at a T-junction). Then 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 and park at the Forest Lakes Trailhead.

The East Portal Quad is very helpful for following these trails - everything but Rogers Pass Lake are on it. Trail intersections in the forest are often unmarked and more often unnoticed. This trail system is in dense subalpine forest, along several creeks which lead to dozens of tiny green lakes. Most of the lakes are at or above treeline in fragile alpine tundra ecosystems: be careful where you walk and camp.

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 the trail. The Forest Lakes Trail intersection forks to the north in the second open meadow if you want to visit the Forest and Arapaho Lakes. 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 #900, about 3/4 mile beyond the meadow at the Forest Lakes Trail #809 junction. There is usually a rock cairn marking this junction. Go straight ahead another 3/4 mile, through swampy areas, to a stream crossing. There is an obvious campsite just across the creek. The main South Boulder Creek Trail forks west (right) to Heart Lake, but is obscured by massive deadfall. An alternate social trail continues southwest (straight ahead) to another creek crossing, and then to Rogers Pass Lake. The trail to Rogers Pass Lake is a little less steep than the Heart Lake Trail, but the Heart Lake Trail (if it can be found) is a bit more direct. Just beyond where the two trails reconnect near Heart Lake, the South Boulder Creek Trail climbs steeply up several switchbacks to Rogers Pass. The trail crosses the Continental Divide Trail and continues down the west side to the Rollins Pass Road as the Rogers Pass Trail.

Forest Lakes Trail #809

From its lower end at the South Boulder Creek Trail #900, the Forest Lakes Trail cuts across the front of a steep ridge on an old jeep trail for a half mile to meet up with Arapaho Creek. The creek crossings do not have bridges and can be difficult to ford in the late spring and early summer. The trail follows the creek north/northwest on a gentle grade for another mile. At 1.5 miles from the South Boulder Creek Trail, the road ends in a meadow. The Arapaho Lakes Trail #818 then turns to the left (west) and fords the creek again. Continuing north, the Forest Lakes Trail is very hard to find for the next half mile to the lowest of the Forest Lakes. Then that last half mile from the lakes to the Forest Lakes Trailhead is well used.

Arapaho Lakes Trail #818

About 1.5 miles up the Forest Lakes Trail #809 from where it leaves the South Boulder Creek Trail #900, the Arapaho Lakes Trail forks west. It follows the steep stream tributary for about a mile to Arapaho Lakes.

Crater Lakes Trail #819

The Crater Lakes Trail turns right (north) off the South Boulder Creek Trail #900, about 3/4 mile beyond the meadow at the Forest Lakes Trail #809 junction. There is usually a rock cairn marking the junction. The trail climbs steeply about a mile to the two main Crater Lakes. Then it crosses the narrow spit of land between the two lakes and continues another half mile to the highest lake. Although these lakes are very popular, the trail is difficult to follow. Be careful on the way back because there's one extremely steep trail that passes the lowest lake and follows the outlet stream. You won't like it.