Skyscraper Reservoir - 9.9 Miles Round-Trip

Skyscraper Reservoir lies in the upper reaches of a slender valley between Woodland Mountain (11,893' - south) and unofficially named Skyscraper Peak (12,383' - north). The reservoir - no longer maintained but still partially dammed - was built between 1941 and 1947 by private landowners for downstream irrigation and sold to the City of Boulder in 1966.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Visitors will enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, camping, and fishing on this varied trek through riparian woodlands, alpine meadows, and open tundra between Woodland Lake and Skyscraper Reservoir:

The trail begins on a steep dirt road that merges with the South Fork of Middle Boulder Creek at the King Lake - Devils Thumb Bypass Trail split (.85 miles : 9,455').

It continues beside the creek to the Lost Lake Trail split (1.1 miles : 9,582') and eases into a meadow at the King Lake - Woodland Lake Trail split (1.3 miles : 9,600').

The trail enters a large meadow on level double track across the Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary (1.45 : 9,611'). It follows the old wagon road through intervals of forest and meadow, first loosely, then closely beside Jasper Creek to the Devils Thumb Trail - Woodland Lake Trail split (2.35 miles : 9,747'). Note that social trails circumvent washed out areas along Jasper Creek up to this split.

The Woodland Lake Trail bears left and steepens beside Woodland Creek to a footbridge (2.8 miles : 10,022'), past which the climb intensifies on a rugged, shifting path. It moderates briefly in a tranquil forest braided with streams and dotted with glades (3.2 miles : 10,395').

The oft-wet trail inches back toward Woodland Creek, rising fast to another flat (3.5 miles : 10,609'). This attractive section is highlighted by converging streams, cascades, wildflowers and mushrooms. Travel eases on an intermittently faint path, edging away from the creek to a small pond (3.8 miles : 10,737') and up the north edge of a marshy meadow in the upper valley.

The trail enters a small spruce stand on the meadow's west end (4.0 miles) and emerges in open space at the base of Woodland Lake's outlet stream (4.3 miles). It levels beside the outlet to Woodland Lake, partially hidden a few dozen yards off trail by thick willow and krummholz (4.55 miles : 10,972').

The trail rises steadily up the north shore and valley wall with good views of Woodland Lake's attractive west shore. The trail crests at 4.9 miles (11,243') and drops to a clearing on the NE corner of Skyscraper Reservoir (4.95 miles : 11,220').

The lake's north side is limited by steep walls, talus and vegetation, but low water over the dam wall and some creative maneuvering lead to the more open south and west shores.