Advanced Snowshoe – Crater Lakes

Crater Lakes is a fantastic destination, in the heart of the James Peak Wilderness. We'll be snowshoe hiking an out-n-back route along the South Boulder Creek Trail from the East Portal Trailhead. Once we turn onto the Crater Lakes Trail, we'll ascend to two lower lakes (North and South). The trail cuts down the center of the two lower Crater Lakes, which is a beautiful destination. We'll find a sunny spot to stop for lunch/snack. If we have the energy and conditions allow it, we may try to make our way to the upper lake, which requires a steep climb. This section will be the most challenging portion of the route. This striking alpine lake sits right below the Continental Divide. Depending upon the conditions, we may find an off-trail route that takes us back to the South Boulder Creek trail. We will avoid avalanche risk areas. Our pace will be determined by the strength, stamina, and endurance of the group. (Crater Lakes - JPW - CalTopo)

The Bobcats’ mission is to ensure a variety of challenging CMC trips, mostly on weekdays, all year long, for our mostly 50+ constituents. We don’t have dues or elections and we invite ALL CMC members to sign up for any Bobcat trip. You can search the CMC Calendar for Bobcat trips any time by selecting “Bobcats Section” in the CMC Trip Calendar “Section pull-down menu. We email a monthly newsletter to our members with all the coming month’s trips, just after those trips are activated. To join our free mailing list and become a member, select the Bobcats Section anytime in your Member Profile. (Bobcats Section — The Colorado Mountain Club (cmc.org))

Carpool Place & Time: Meet at Plainview Rd parking lot at 7:30AM, departure 7:45AM (39°52'32.9"N 105°16'09.4"W - Google Maps)

We'll carpool to the Moffat Tunnel East Portal Parking (Moffat Tunnel East Portal TH Parking Lot - Google Maps)