Jasper - Devils Thumb - Storm Lake Loop - 14.35 Miles Round-Trip

Jasper Lake, Devils Thumb Lake and Storm Lake can be linked to form a challenging but exciting 14.35 mile lollipop loop in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The route follows the Devils Thumb Trail past Jasper Lake and Devils Thumb Lake to the High Lonesome Trail (CDT) on the Continental Divide. 

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

It turns north to Devils Thumb Pass and leaves the CDT on a .8 mile - 700' climb through open tundra to a 12,480' saddle over the Storm Lakes valley.

The route continues down the south valley wall into the center where you'll improvise through varied alpine terrain to (lower) Storm Lake.

It follows a social trail down Storm Lake's outlet (Jasper Creek) to the NW corner of Jasper Lake, where you'll pick up a campsite access spur that returns you to the main trail to complete the loop portion of the hike.

The loop is similar in distance and elevation gain to the King - High Lonesome - Devils Thumb route, but considerably more difficult with over 2.8 miles of off-trail travel between Devils Thumb Pass and the return to Jasper Lake.

ROUTE OVERVIEW:

• Hessie Trailhead to High Lonesome Trail (6.25 miles : +2,958')
• High Lonesome Trail to Devils Thumb Pass (.55 miles : +113' | -320')
• Pass to Saddle over Storm Lakes Valley (.8 miles : +700')
• Saddle to Storm Lake (1.45 miles : -1065')
• Storm Lake to Hessie Trailhead (5.3 miles : -2406')

Distances will vary by individual route, particularly through the Storm Lakes valley. Travel down the valley can be time consuming no matter your route. 

4.3 miles of the loop are partially or fully exposed and your pace will slow on high elevation / off-trail sections. Start early and make good time to the Divide, where you can gauge weather and the climb ahead and decide if there's enough time to continue.

Only experienced hikers should attempt this loop. Carry a detailed map and have a good feel for the route before setting out:

The trail begins on a steep dirt road that meets S. 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 across the IPW Boundary (1.35 miles : 9,625'). It moderates through intervals of timber and glades to the Devils Thumb Trail - Woodland Lake Trail split (2.15 miles, 9,780').

Veer right toward Jasper Lake on a steeper, rocky path that can be obscured by runoff and snow through mid-summer. It climbs steadily up the north valley wall to the Diamond Lake Trail split (3.7 miles : 10,675') and moderates to Jasper Lake (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') - this is the beginning / end of the loop portion of the hike.

Follow signs (left) for Devils Thumb Lake and clockwise travel on the loop. The trail rises in variously steep and moderate intervals through patchy forest and meadows to Devils Thumb Lake (5.2 miles : 11,138').

Cross the outlet on a makeshift bridge into expansive meadows between the lake and Divide (5.5 miles).

The trail turns sharply uphill on a demanding .5 mile - 700' climb to the High Lonesome Trail (CDT) in open tundra on the Continental Divide (6.25 miles : 11,967').

This junction is not explicitly marked but the transition is obvious. Turn north and follow cairns and a faint boot track over a steep crest (6.5 miles : 12,100') down to Devils Thumb Pass (6.8 miles : 11,780').

The pass is marked by an anonymous pole, but its location should be known and confirmed by a well-defined trail coming up from the west side (a portion of the CDT / High Lonesome to/from Junco Lake). Take a few steps east to peer down the Devils Thumb Lake valley and appreciate the route you took to this point.

Here you'll leave the CDT and climb 700' in just .8 miles to a saddle over the Storm Lakes valley on the south valley wall (7.6 miles : 12,480').

Terrain is surprisingly gentle on this strenuous push, though you'll have to weave around or cross several short sections of talus. 

It's possible to stay high and cut across the south valley wall from this point to Storm Lake, but it's fraught with loose rock on steep slopes and eschews attractive features on the valley floor. Travel down the middle or north side of the valley has it's own challenges, but is subjectively easier with more charisma.

Drop from the saddle on thick tundra grass slopes to a wide, level bench in the middle of the valley between the lower and upper lake (8.2 miles : 11,720'). Note that you won't see the upper lake on this descent - it's tucked behind a ridge.

The valley floor has more texture and terrestrial variation than may first appear: extensive willow patches, krummholz, steep cliffs, marshy ponds, tarns, numerous cascades and countless streams that cut deep, narrow channels concealed by brush. 

There's no perfect route, but the path of least resistance crosses the valley to a large tarn on the north side (8.6 miles : 11,620'). Work your way around it and up the north valley wall just a bit to avoid tedious brush; from this higher vantage you'll be able to scout a decent route to the NW corner of Storm Lake (8.9 miles : 11,415'). 

Skirt the lake edge to the outlet stream (9.05 miles), which you'll cross to the south side and pick up a social trail that drops through treeline to a campsite access trail on the NW side of Jasper Lake (9.55 miles : 10,860').

Perennial snow covers portion of the descent, but the way (and any deviation you choose around the snow) is navigationally intuitive.

Follow the campsite trail back to the Devils Thumb Trail to complete the loop portion of the route (9.95 miles). Retrace your steps back to Hessie Trailhead (14.35 miles).