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Heart Lake is located high on the Continental Divide southwest of the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel. It is located just above the timberline at an elevation of 11,300\'. This trek is 5 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 2090\'. How to get there: Take US 6 west from Golden until you reach CO119. Drive north on CO119 past Black Hawk. Turn west at Rollinsville on CR16 to Tolland and the Moffat Tunnel. It is 8 miles up the gravel road to the tunnel portal, park on the north side of the tracks. The trail: Take the Rogers Pass Trail (FS900) southwest of the parking area. Walk towards the tunnel, cross the railroad tracks and the bridge, and climb over the metal gate. Go to your right about 200 yards and through another gate. Hike along the roadbed past some cabins, at .5 miles make an easy crossing of Arapaho Creek. Continue past the junction with the trail to Arapaho Lakes at about 1.25 miles. Enter the woods and begin hiking up a steeper grade. Keep left on the main trail as you pass the trails and streams to Crater and Iceberg Lakes. At 3.5 miles you climb steeply, then the grade becomes more gentle. Continue on the Rogers Pass Trail through a grassy area and up the southern slope of a small valley. You will arrive at a creek coming from Heart Lake, do not cross the creek; instead, turn right and hike on a path that parallels the creek for a short distance, then curve right and walk to the southern shore of Heart Lake. TRIPS TO DEVILS THUMB, WOODLAND LAKE, JASPER RESERVOIR, DIAMOND, BETTY AND BOB LAKES - HIKE / BACKPACK These lakes are in a rugged area and located at or above the timberline. Some backcountry campsites are noted on the maps with a small solid teepee. Trails allow you to access the area using connecting and interlocking loops. Remember this is part of Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and reservations are needed in advance for a particular campsite at some of these lakes. Check the beginning of this chapter for more information. These lakes can be accessed from three trailheads: 1. Hessie Town Site Trailhead, noted on the map as (P)7 provides shorter distances to a number of the lakes, but more uphill elevation effort is required. 2. Rollins Pass Road can be used to take advantage of elevation gains and losses, noted on the map as (P)9. 3. Fourth of July Campground, noted on the map as (P)6 takes advantage of elevation gains and losses. DESTINATIONS FROM THE HESSIE TRAILHEAD Destination Distance in Miles King Lake 5.0 Betty and Bob Lakes 5.8 Woodland & Skyscraper Lakes 4.4 Jasper Reservoir 4.2 Devils Thumb Lake 5.0 Devils Thumb Pass 5.7 How to there: Travel to Boulder, take CO119 up Boulder Canyon to the community of Nederland. Follow CO119 south, just as you exit Nederland there will be a sign on your right for the Eldora Ski Area (CR130) and the small town of Eldora. Follow this county road past the Eldora Ski Area turn off and go through the community of Eldora. The North Fork of Boulder Creek must be crossed to get to Hessie. Note: During the earlier months the snow run-off can present a problem to vehicles or hikers trying to cross the North Fork of Boulder Creek, beware!
Created on: 2024-09-08 11:38:01
Last edited by: rhall290472 On: 2024-09-25 15:04:55