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Crater Lakes Trail #819

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (31)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Roosevelt National Forest
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“This is a great place to camp on a hot summer day. Come for the views, but stay for the cool water and the upper lake. ”

Tom Robson
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1.1

Miles

1.7

KM

Point to Point

10,663' 3,250 m

High

9,976' 3,041 m

Low

700' 213 m

Up

13' 4 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (7°)

34%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views

Family Friendly Kids may struggle for a short time making the climb to the lakes, but it will all be worth it once they are there.

CAMPFIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED. Permits are not required for overnight stays inside the
James Peak Wilderness. However, other wilderness regulations apply.

Description

Not to be confused with Crater Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Crater Lakes Trail is in the James Peak Wilderness.

The Crater Lakes Trail turns right (north) off the South Boulder Creek Trail at the junction sign. It climbs for a mile into a wide valley before crossing the narrow spit of land between the two main lakes. To reach the fantastic upper lake, follow the steep fisherman's trail up the headwall and down a talus field to the lakeshore.

In June and early July, this valley can be full of deep snow and the trail may not be visible.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 31 votes

#1

in Roosevelt National Forest

#176

Overall
  4.3 from 31 votes
5 Star
39%
4 Star
55%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Roosevelt National Forest

#44

in Colorado

#176

Overall
11 Views Last Month
5,347 Since May 4, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
63%
20%
17%
0%
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Photos

Crater Lake
Jan 21, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Crater Lakes Trail
Aug 13, 2019 near Winter…, CO
Crater Lake Trail
Jan 21, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Crater Lake.
Jan 20, 2018 near Winter…, CO
FInal crest approaching the Crater Lakes
Apr 1, 2018 near Winter…, CO
Crater Lake approach June 2019.
Jun 16, 2019 near Winter…, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 22 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jun 19, 2026
August Horning
Went with mike hank and max didnt get to the top lake only bottom two. Super windy but beautiful pretty busy on trail hank jumped in lake 7.5mi — 4h 00m
Jun 22, 2025
Alex O'Connell
Beautiful & quite warm. A few short flooded sections, plus a lot of snow still approaching & around lower lakes. 6mi — 3h 50m
Aug 16, 2023
Gina G
Aug 20, 2022
Private User
Jun 25, 2022
Kali Gustafson
Mar 19, 2022
Jody Rae
Aug 6, 2021
Matt Culpepper
From East Portal via South Boulder Creek Trl. Camped above South Crater Lake. Includes hiking up the Waterfall trail to Upper Crater Lake (7.5/1900) 3.5mi
Jul 9, 2021
Cynthia B.

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