Crater Lakes - 6.0 Miles Round-Trip

The Crater Lakes are a cluster of 5 lakes spread about a rugged valley that forms a major tributary to South Boulder Creek. They offer excellent fishing and diverse backcountry camping experiences apart from the crowds.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

A maintained but potentially ill-defined trail breaks NW off the East Portal's main artery to lower Crater Lakes, a scenic pair separated only by a thin, elevated ridge.

A third lake is concealed by timber nearby, accessible by following either the lower lakes' outlets or established social trails. A strenuous route continues west up a steep wall to the talus-bound cirque of upper Crater Lakes. Carry a good map to maximize time in this feature-filled basin.

The following description details mileage to the first set of lakes, followed by general routing to the third lower lake and two upper lakes:

Follow signs right (north) of Moffat Tunnel to the South Boulder Creek Trail; stay on this trail and be mindful of adjacent private property.

It rises past the tunnel through intervals of aspen, spruce and meadow to the Arapaho Lakes - Forest Lakes Trail split (1.25 miles : 9,555'), and steepens up rugged terrain to the Crater Lakes Trail split (1.85 miles : 9,930').

The Crater Lakes Trail bends north and twists steeply up a cluttered forest. In 2.3 miles (10,095') it banks sharply right, then left on switchbacks marked by rather anonymous cairns; it continues through a slot between two large boulders and exits left to regain the trail.

Rugged terrain resumes to a footbridge (2.45 miles : 10,240'), past which travel moderates in stages in a thinning forest to a trail sign along the south lake's outlet stream (2.85 miles : 10,543').

The trail leads north over the outlet to a thin, elevated band of spruce separating the two main lower lakes (2.9 miles 10,630'). Spurs branch off through tightly-spaced trees to the respective lakes - 3.0 miles : 10,575' (south) and 3.05 miles : 10,600' (north).

The south lake is narrow and hemmed by steep walls and timber; in contrast the north lake is large and accessible. Social tracks circle the lake to wide views of the basin and good lakeside campsites.

The outlets of each lower lake can be traced east to a third Crater Lake hidden from the main trail. To reach it, backtrack on the main trail to the aforementioned trail sign and follow the stream a few hundred yards east. There are also several social trails in the area leading to this lake.

No maintained trail leads to upper Crater Lakes, however you can follow the northern-lower lake's inlet to them. The route is very steep and may be impassible when wet or iced over.

Scale the steep wall on the west end of the lower northern lake. The climb levels off at the foot of a large talus field, from which you'll see the upper lakes and a direct (albeit difficult) line to them. Allow extra time for route-finding and negotiating rugged talus around the lakes.