South Boulder Creek Trail to Heart Lake
Basic Information: |
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| Type: | Day Hike - Out and Back |
| Distance (Total): | 9.2 miles / 14.8 km |
| Elevation Gain: | 2,689 feet / 820 meters |
| Minimum Elevation: | 9,211 feet / 2,808 meters |
| Maximum Elevation: | 11,900 feet / 3,627 meters |
| Hiking Season: | - Summer - Fall |
| Things To See: | - Lake Views - Mountain Views |
| Difficulty: | Strenuous |
| Rating: | Trail has not been rated. |
| Nearby Town: | Nederland, Colorado, United States |
Description: |
Edit |
From the northwest side of the parking area at the East Portal Trailhead, the trail partially follows an old road adjacent to fenced electrical equipment and leads around the north side of the historic Moffat Tunnel. This trail leads west on an uphill grade, following South Boulder Creek to its source: Heart and Roger's Pass Lakes. The Forest Lakes Trail #809 forks to the north in the second open meadow where you will see a trail junction sign.
Continuing southwest on the South Boulder Creek Trail, the grade grows steeper. The Crater Lakes Trail #819, forks to the north after another 0.75 miles after the first switchback.
About a mile past the Crater Lakes turnoff, the South Boulder Creek Trail continues somewhat more steeply southwest for about a mile to Rogers Pass Lake. Heart Lake is located north of Rogers Pass lake, over a 250-foot rise. The climb is shortbut fairly steep.
West along the ridge that separates Heart Lake from Rogers Pass Lake, the Rogers Pass Trail climbs to the Continental Divide, and continues down the west side to the Rollins Pass Road in the Sulphur Ranger District.