East Portal Trailhead: Crater Lakes, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, Colorado
East Portal Trailhead: Crater Lakes
Indian Peaks Wilderness Area
The Crater Lakes – a cluster of 5 lakes spread about a rugged, isolated valley – afford excellent fishing and improvisational backcountry camping opportunities apart from the crowds. The East Portal Trailhead’s well-maintained thoroughfare gives way to an ill-defined path enveloped by forest en route to lower Crater Lakes, an idyllic pair separated only by a thin elevated glade. A markedly challenging route continues west up a steep ridge overlooking the dramatic alpine cirque hosting upper Crater Lakes.
| Related Trails: | Crater Lakes |
A late July snow covers resilient summer wildflowers in the James Peak Wilderness
The final approach to the first lake cluster is rugged and ill-defined
James Peak looms over all trails within the East Portal Trail System
A hiker contemplates his next move around the lower north Crater Lake
Informal paths circle each lake, leading to idyllic backcountry campsites and great view points
The lakes' generous perimeters offer many good fishing locales
A near-vertical ridge must be scaled to reach the upper Crater Lakes
Once over the steep ridge, a rugged talus field separates you from the next pair of lakes
The Upper Crater Lakes
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