Clayton Lake - 5.8 Miles Round-Trip

Clayton Lake (10,945') is located 2.9 miles from East Portal Trailhead in the James Peak Wilderness. The South Boulder Creek Trail runs 2.2 miles to a bridge over Clayton Creek where an unmarked, no-longer-maintained but still well-defined trail branches off and climbs 900' in just .7 miles along the creek to its source at the lake.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The lake is hemmed by the south valley wall and thick willow around the inlet and outlet, but the north side opens to flower covered meadows and small tree islands that create a spacious and park-like feel.

The Iceberg Lakes (11,700') are located ~.7 miles and 700' up from from Clayton Lake, just below the Divide. 

Though close, reaching them requires more circuitous routing up the north valley wall to avoid unfavorable terrain in the middle. This high elevation approach can take more time than straight-line distances may indicate.

Clayton Lake, the Iceberg Lakes and Heart Lake can be linked to form an exciting loop across the James Peak Wilderness. Visitors will enjoy well-earned solitude and pristine alpine landscapes at Clayton Lake:

Follow signs right (north) of Moffat Tunnel to the South Boulder Creek Trail. It rises past the tunnel through intervals of aspen, spruce and meadow to the Arapaho Lakes - Forest Lakes split (1.25 miles : 9,545') and Crater Lakes split (1.85 miles : 9,925').

Travel steadies to a pair of log bridges over Clayton Creek (2.2 miles : 10,038'); the unmarked trail to Clayton Lake splits off (right) just before the first bridge, and where branches are usually placed to discourage hikers. (If you cross the second bridge with a handrail, you've gone too far.)

The trail is initially moderate and may fade or braid in a few places before clarifying on much steeper grades up the north side of the creek. Start and stay on the north side to avoid having to cross it any point higher up.

The creek and trail funnel through a rock-bound gulch with little room to maneuver. There are many photogenic cascades on this very steep section (2.35 miles : 10,320').

It briefly moderates to a small glade by a wide cascade (2.45 miles : 10,580'), then gradually steepens away from the creek across open slopes with valley views.

The trail crests in a thin subalpine forest and drops to the north side of Clayton Lake (2.8 miles : 10,945'). Flowers - especially columbine - carpet the open NW side. There are several established campsites around the lake with level ground and coverage.

Meadows extend north and west into the upper valley and are easy to explore. To reach the Iceberg Lakes, head W-NW to open terrain along the north valley wall. Stay high to avoid cluttered, rocky terrain in the middle of the upper valley.