Crater Lakes (Lower North)–Crater Lakes (Lower South), 4 sights
5.7 mi · ▲ 1,391 ft · 2 hr 36 min
Crater Lakes (Lower North)–Crater Lakes (Lower South), 4 sights is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in James Peak Wilderness near East Portal, CO. The route passes Crater Lakes (Lower South) before reaching Crater Lakes (Lower North) at the turnaround, 2.8 miles in. It climbs 1,391 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 90/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Crater Lakes (Lower North)–Crater Lakes (Lower South), 4 sights
5.7 mi · ▲ 1,391 ft · 2 hr 36 min
Elevation 9,211–10,603 ft
Out & Back · James Peak Wilderness
Trailhead: South Boulder Creek Trail · 39.90301, -105.64416
Weather Sep 4: Light rain, high 74°F / low 50° · precip 27% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:31 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on South Boulder Creek Trail, heading NW.
- 1.9 miSharp right onto Crater Lakes Trail, heading NE.
- 1 miPass Crater Lakes (Lower South).
- 150 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 250 ftReach Crater Lakes (Lower North), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1 miSharp left onto South Boulder Creek Trail, heading E.
- 1.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from South Boulder Creek Trail Trailhead
- South Boulder Creek Trail 2 mi · ▲ 326 ft
- Forest Lakes Trail & South Boulder Creek Trail 4.1 mi · ▲ 801 ft
- Clayton Lake–Clayton Lake Trail, 3 sights 5.6 mi · ▲ 1,773 ft
- Arapaho Lakes (Lower)–Arapaho Lakes Trail, 4 sights 7 mi · ▲ 1,927 ft
- Heart Lake & South Boulder Creek Trail 8.5 mi · ▲ 2,087 ft
- South Boulder Creek Trail 9.2 mi · ▲ 2,660 ft
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