Heart Lake–Forest Lakes (Lower), 3 lakes
11.8 mi · ▲ 3,222 ft · 5 hr 33 min
Heart Lake–Forest Lakes (Lower), 3 lakes is an 11.8-mile out-and-back in James Peak Wilderness near East Portal, CO. The route passes Forest Lakes (Lower) before reaching Heart Lake at the turnaround, 5.9 miles in. It climbs 3,222 ft, with sections as steep as 29% grade. It scores 93/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Heart Lake–Forest Lakes (Lower), 3 lakes
11.8 mi · ▲ 3,222 ft · 5 hr 33 min
Elevation 9,552–11,320 ft
Out & Back · James Peak Wilderness
Trailhead: Rollins Pass Road · 39.92374, -105.66853
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 63°F / low 42° · precip 18% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:31 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Forest Lakes Trail, heading W.
- 0.9 miPass Forest Lakes (Lower).
- 1.9 miTurn right onto South Boulder Creek Trail, heading SW.
- 3.1 miReach Heart Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 3.1 miTurn left onto Forest Lakes Trail, heading E.
- 2.8 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
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Rollins Pass Road Trailhead
- Rollins Pass Road 3 mi · ▲ 276 ft
- Rollins Pass Road 3.1 mi · ▲ 305 ft
- Forest Lakes (Lower) & Forest Lakes Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 1,012 ft
- Guinn Mountain–Jenny Lake Loop, 6 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 809 ft
- Rollins Pass & Needle Eye Bypass Trail via Rollins Pass Trail 6.7 mi · ▲ 856 ft
- Beacon Peak & Needle Eye Bypass Trail via Rollins Pass Trail 8.7 mi · ▲ 1,164 ft
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