Trip
Bobcats trip – East Portal TH - Clayton Lake
A scenic ~6 mile and ~1800 ft elevation gain out-and-back EXPLORATORY hike to Clayton Lake in the James Peak Wilderness. Our route will take us through beautiful forests and climb toward the lake, where we'll be rewarded with marvelous views of the surrounding peaks and alpine terrain. This hike will include some off-trail sections.
Contacts
- Tue, Dec 1, 2026
- Bobcats Section
- Hiking
- Adults
- Challenging
- Mileage: 6.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft
- High Point Elevation: 10,980 ft
- Pace: 1.5 - 2.0 MPH
- FULL, 4 on waitlist (8 capacity)
- FULL, 1 on waitlist (2 capacity)
- Fri, Nov 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
- Sun, Nov 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
EXPLORATORY HIKE: Clayton Lake is a spectacular destination in the James Peak Wilderness, surrounded by rugged peaks and beautiful alpine scenery. We'll hike an out-and-back route from the East Portal Trailhead, following the South Boulder Creek Trail before heading off-trail for a steep ascent to Clayton Lake. This challenging off-trail section will involve route-finding, uneven terrain, and several particularly steep sections that will test our strength, stamina, and endurance. We'll enjoy lunch/snack at the lake before retracing our route, with the steep descent presenting its own challenges. Our pace will be determined by the capabilities of the group while allowing us to complete the hike in a reasonable amount of time. Overall, ~6 miles and ~1800 ft elevation gain. (Clayton Lake - CalTopo)
Carpool Place & Time: Meet at Plainview Rd parking lot at 7:00AM, departure 7:15AM (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)
Required Equipment
10 essentials are required, Trekking poles are recommended.
This is a CMC Bobcats Trip. The Bobcats’ mission is to ensure a variety of adventurous CMC trips, mostly on weekdays, all year long. Our trips tend to be faster paced, on more challenging routes, and with fewer stops. We foster a strong community of hikers seeking challenges, discovery, and camaraderie. We don’t have dues and we invite ALL CMC members to sign up for any Bobcat trip that is within their ability level.