King Lake - High Lonesome - Devils Thumb Lake Loop - 14.75 Miles Round-Trip

The High Lonesome Trail connects the King Lake and Devils Thumb Lake trails to form a 14.75 mile loop through the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The route runs west up S. Fork Middle Boulder Creek valley to King Lake and the High Lonesome Trail on the Divide.

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The High Lonesome turns north and rolls across open tundra for 2.5 miles to the Devils Thumb Lake Trail, which drops east to Devils Thumb Lake, Jasper Lake and back to Hessie.

The following describes clockwise travel, recommended for a milder up-valley climb and favorable lighting:

The trail begins on a steep dirt road that merges with South Fork Middle Boulder Creek at the King Lake - Devils Thumb Bypass Trail split (.85 miles : 9,455'). It continues by the creek to the Lost Lake Trail split (1.1 miles : 9,582') and levels into a meadow at the King Lake - Woodland Lake Trail split (1.3 miles : 9,600').

The trail enters a mixed pine forest and climbs steadily for the better part of 2.5 miles with little variation up the south flank of Woodland Mountain. South Fork Middle Boulder Creek is audible much of the way, but its location is largely concealed by timber.

Travel eases in a meadow at the base of Guinn Mountain (3.85 miles : 10,437'), past which the creek and trail merge in a thinning forest.

The trail abruptly banks right up switchbacks (4.75 miles : 10,904') that level off near treeline at the King Lake - Bob and Betty Lakes Trail split (5.0 miles : 11,108'). Veer left over the creek, which can flow heavily and obscure the path.

The trail rises through open airy landscapes highlighted by wildflowers and rangy views back down valley. The trail is well-cut, but may be overgrown or snow-covered in places.

An unmarked spur veers right to a large pond just before reaching King Lake (5.25 miles : 11,339'); a few minutes ahead another spur branches right (5.38 miles) - this is King Lake (5.4 miles : 11,430').

The trail continues up King Lake's south cirque wall to the Continental Divide and High Lonesome Trail (5.75 miles : 11,657') with views of Corona Lake, James Peak, Gore Range and Winter Park.

The High Lonesome Trail turns north and scales steep, tightly wound switchbacks over King Lake to the west of side of the Divide's apical ridge.

The trail levels (6.5 miles : 11,966') with unabated views down the western slope before pushing uphill once again to its highest point (7.0 miles : 12,105'), located just behind Bob Lake. Travel moderates for .5 miles, dips to avoid willow thickets and scree (7.5 miles), then rises back to the High Lonesome Trail - Devils Thumb Trail junction (8.05 miles : 11,810').

Bear right on the Devils Thumb Trail up to Devils Thumb Pass - a thin saddle on the Divide (8.25 miles : 11,967'). The Devils Thumb Trail turns down the east side of the Divide on a steep, winding path that levels in a broad alpine flat with a large pond near Devils Thumb Lake (8.85 miles : 11,257').

Devils Thumb Lake is long, slender and bound tightly by the north valley wall. Social trails branch to various points along the shore, or you may continue on the main trail to the willow-shrouded outlet (9.25 miles : 11,138').

The trail drops steeply beside Devils Thumb Lake's outlet to a meadow and re-enters an undulating forest in the upper valley (9.75 miles : 10,908'). Travel moderates by campsites on the south shore of Jasper Lake (10.05 miles : 10,967'), and across the outlet to an access spur on the southeast shore (10.4 miles : 10,814').

The trail continues past Jasper Lake on a damp, intermittently steep and ill-defined path into the lower-valley; connections with the Diamond Lake Trail (11.0 miles : 10,675') and Woodland Lake Trail (12.55 miles : 9,792') are useful progress markers on the descent.

The forest breaks at a large meadow (13.1 miles : 9,670') past the Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary sign. It re-enters thick forest (13.5 miles : 9,625') and twists steeply down Jasper Creek to the King Lake - Devils Thumb Bypass Trail junction and conclusion of the loop (13.9 miles : 9,455'). Retrace your steps back to the Hessie Trailhead (14.75 miles : 9,009').

If you like this loop you may also like the Jasper - Devils Thumb - Storm Lake Loop!