King Lake Cross-country Ski Trail

Description:

• This trail is located west of Nederland and Eldora, in the Middle Boulder Creek Trail System. It accesses Lost Lake. Other linking trails include Lost Lake, Woodland Lake, and Devil's Thumb/Jasper Lakes. This area offers relatively flat skiing terrain, with steeper pitches as you near the lakes.

  This trailhead accesses the southern most drainage of the Indian Peaks wilderness approximately 1.6 miles west of the Hessie Townsite. Follow the trail from the parking area for 2.3 miles to the Lost Lake cutoff. At the cutoff, take the right fork west for .2 mile to another fork where you will find a trail sign, registration box, and bulletin board. The fork to the right (northwest) will provide a 1 mile side trip up Jasper Creek and Lake Trail, continue on the left fork (west) and ski up South Fork Middle Boulder Creek. Stop 3 miles west of the Jasper Creek fork. The remaining .7 miles to King Lake is steep and may have avalanche potential. The return trip is 5.5 miles to the parking area.

  The trail from Hessie to the Lost Lake cutoff climbs rather sharply up the old wagon road. Snow conditions in the open areas may vary from hard pack to powder to wind slab. The descent from the Lost Lake cutoff to Hessie is quite steep and involves a rather sharp 90 degree left-hand turn to cross the bridge over Middle Boulder Creek--Ski within your abilities. This trail should be viewed as a full day trip, so give yourself ample time.