Storm Lakes - 12.6 Miles Round-Trip

The Storm Lakes are located above Jasper Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. No trail reaches the lakes, but a challenging cross-country route from Jasper's NW shore follows the inlet to its source at the lakes.

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Storm Lake (11,415') sits in a wide, level bench .5 miles and 600' above Jasper Lake at the head of Jasper Creek.

Upper Storm Lake (11,965') occupies a small cirque 1.5 miles and 1150' above Jasper Lake under the Continental Divide 

Though off-trail distance is modest, terrain is highly variable with several steep pitches and limited room to maneuver around snowfields, outcrops and thick willow patches. 

This fairly narrow but exceptionally attractive valley is distinguished by numerous cascades, tarns, grassy benches and excellent views over Jasper Lake. The route is fully exposed and off-trail alpine travel can take longer than distances might indicate. Get an early start and begin your descent before storms develop:

The trail begins on a steep dirt road that meets South Fork Middle Boulder Creek at the Devils Thumb Bypass Trail split (.85 miles : 9,455'). Bear right on the Devils Thumb Bypass Trail and climb into a large meadow at the Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary (1.35 miles : 9,625').

It moderates on a rocky path through intervals of timber, meadow and marsh to the Devils Thumb Trail - Woodland Lake Trail split (2.15 miles, 9,780').

Veer right toward Jasper Lake on a steeper grade that can be intermittently obscured by runoff and snow through mid-July.

The trail climbs steadily up the north valley wall to the Diamond Lake Trail split (3.7 miles : 10,675'), past which it undulates in a thinning forest to the first of several spurs for Jasper Lake and campsite access (4.3 miles).

The main trail continues below the lake and crosses the outlet to a spur for Campsites #5-6 (4.4 miles : 10,840'). Follow this access trail around the lake just past site #6 to Jasper's inlet on the NW side of the lake (4.8 miles : 10,860').

Turn up Jasper Creek, where a nominally-defined path runs steeply through treeline and arcs (left) around an outcrop to the base of a snowfield (5.1 miles : 11,160').

Scale the snow, scramble around / over large rock slabs and punch through willow thickets to Storm Lake at the head of Jasper Creek (5.3 miles : 11,415'). The most direct route around Storm Lake (there's no great option) runs right (counter-clockwise) along the willow-matted shore to open ponds and marsh on the NW side (5.65 miles).

From here you must scale a short but steep wall of slick rock slabs to reach moderate terrain in the upper valley (5.85 miles : 11,610'). There are many streams and cascades in this area - avoid scrambling on smooth wet rock.

Travel levels briefly across a wide bench, from which you'll negotiate a final steep pitch that crests and drops to Upper Storm Lake (6.3 miles : 11,965').

This small, deep bowl stays partially frozen / snow covered through the summer and its perimeter can be hard to decipher; keep a safe distance from lake edges.

Returning the exact way you came can be difficult due to the precise nature of scalable rock faces and paths through willow. Consider taking a higher route along the north wall, which avoids some obstacles and provides greater visibility across the route.