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A relatively quiet trail, South Boulder Creek is an epic journey to the CDT.


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Map Key

5.0

Miles

8.0

KM

Point to Point

11,896' 3,626 m

High

9,211' 2,807 m

Low

2,762' 842 m

Up

78' 24 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Wildlife

Campfires are note allowed. Permits are not required for overnight stays inside the James Peak Wilderness. However, other wilderness regulations apply. Access to the East Portal TH is available year round.

Description

From the northwest corner of the parking area, continue for 1.2 miles on the South Boulder Creek Trail #900 to the signed Forest Lakes Trail junction. Continue straight on the South Boulder Creek Trail. The Crater Lakes Trail turns right (north) off the South Boulder Creek Trail at the junction sign. Again, continue straight on the South Boulder Creek Trail.

The trail leaves the creek for a time then returns, climbs, and crosses the South Boulder Creek at several points before leveling off near Rogers Pass Lake. An obvious path leads beyond this lake to a saddle. From here, both Rogers Pass Lake and Heart Lake are visible. The South Boulder Creek Trail climbs steeply up several switchbacks to Rogers Pass. Adventurous hikers can turn south for a climb up James Peak or north, along the Continental Divide Trail to Rollins Pass.

From Rollins Pass, hikers can loop back to East Portal Trailhead by continuing easterly along the road and traversing the blocked Needles Eye Tunnel. Once over the tunnel and back onto the road, travel south to the upper Forest Lakes Trailhead. The Forest Lakes Trail connects back to the East Portal Trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

You're likely to see a moose here.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Mima Marchy

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 12 votes

#7042

Overall
  4.3 from 12 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#514

in Colorado

#7,042

Overall
5 Views Last Month
4,191 Since May 3, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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25%
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Photos

Rogers Pass Lake
Aug 30, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Wildflowers near Rogers Pass Lake
Aug 30, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Northern view from Rogers Pass
Jul 6, 2018 near Winter…, CO
Upper Forest Lake in October.
Oct 17, 2016 near Winter…, CO
Rogers Peak Lake
Jul 6, 2018 near Winter…, CO
Bridge Crossing
Aug 30, 2020 near Winter…, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Jul 24, 2023
Claire Milligan
10mi — 5h 00m
Jun 5, 2022
Devin Quince
Hit consistent snow drifts at around mile 2 2mi — 2h 00m
Aug 23, 2021
Matt Culpepper
From East Portal to Rogers Pass and Heartbeat Peak (12,251). Instant Front Range TOP TEN and CO TOP 25! (12.4/3000) 12.4mi — 7h 00m
Sep 5, 2020
Allie Petersen
Busy trail! Lots of dogs. Good for day hiking or overnights in James Peak Wilderness (no permits needed). We took the turn up to Crater Lakes.
Aug 21, 2019
Reed Harrington
Used route to climb James Peak
Aug 25, 2018
Sean Conlin
Turned off on the Crater Lake trail. Very enjoyable hike! 1.9mi
Jul 31, 2018
Rebecca Falgoust
Jul 22, 2018
Rob Rey
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