The Neva Lakes (11,836') are located in a capacious cirque between Mt Neva (12,814') and Mt Jasper (12,923') in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. No trail reaches the lakes, however a fairly moderate cross-country route splits off the Arapaho Pass Trail and follows North Fork Middle Boulder Creek to its source at the lakes.

Off-trail travel in the valley is fairly tame, though terrestrial features such as ponds, outcrops, willow patches and streams must be negotiated and can take time to figure out the best way forward

North Fork Middle Boulder Creek originates at these unnamed lakes under Mt Neva and Mt Jasper; it meets South Fork Middle Boulder Creek near the Hessie Trailhead and continues downstream as Middle Boulder Creek into Barker Reservoir in Nederland

Over 130 miles of trail lace through the Indian Peaks Wilderness - but none run reach the unnamed headwaters of North Fork Middle Boulder Creek

The off-trail portion of the route rises gently through open alpine meadows, gaining only 400' in about 1.2 miles before reaching a steep wall climb to the lakes

The larger upper lake can remain frozen through late summer

Mt Neva (12,814') in the NW corner of the valley is one of 23 peaks over 12,000' in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

Parry's Primrose is named after Charles C. Parry, an English physician of the 1800s who was the first botanist for the US Department of Agriculture

Sunflowers are in the genus Helianthus, which comprises the Greek word 'Helios' (sun), and 'Anthos' (flower)

Large clutches of columbine are found across sunny, south facing slopes along the Arapaho Pass Trail

Avoid talus around the lower lake by heading up the south side of the basin to the upper lake, then hooking back through a sliver of soft tundra turf

Level, stream-cut meadows with small, isolated bands of krummholz distinguish the upper valley

A cirque is defined as a bowl-shaped depression with steep sides that forms at the head of a mountain glacier

Though grades and terrain are generally mild on the valley floor, you'll have to cross several streams and slog through damp, muddy areas at times

Several large, unnamed ponds on the valley floor would qualify as desirable destinations by themselves!

Tread carefully across snow fields between the lakes, which may conceal large gaps between sharp boulders

The Arapaho Pass Trail's ramp-like path up the north valley wall can easily be seen from just about every point on the way to the lakes

You'll have to scale this steep, snow-covered wall to reach the lakes - approximately 200' vertical in just .15 miles

View of Arapaho Pass on the Continental Divide (11,906') from the lip of the basin

View of Mt Jasper (11,923') and Mt Neva near the Arapaho Glacier Trail split