Hike to Forest Lakes

Twelve members of the High Country Hiker (HCH) group were greeted by cooler temperatures this week as they arrived at East Portal TH (9,211'), adjacent to the Moffat Tunnel, and close to the crossroads village of Rollinsville.  While hikers cinched into their day packs, the continuous whirl of a huge tunnel fan could be heard.  The obnoxious noise lingered long after leaving the TH.

This is both a railroad and water tunnel.  The water tunnel runs parallel with the RR and delivers a portion of Denver's water supply.  The tunnel is 24' high X 18' wide and is 6.2 miles long, running under the Continental Divide.  The tunnel's apex is at 9,239'.

Western entrance to Moffat Tunnel.

 
Trail is in the James Peak Wilderness (JPW), a 17,015 acre span east of the Continental Divide.  Named after it's second highest mountain, James Peak (13,234').  Highest in this wilderness area is Parry Peak (13,391').  James Peak was named after Edwin James, a pioneer and botanist.  Originally, Pikes Peak was called James Peak before the Zebulon Pike Jr. exploration in 1806.  After Pikes Peak was renamed, the name James Peak moved north.


This out and back hike is considered moderate in terms of difficulty.  Trail bed was worn with many sections of damp and wet ground plus a few muddy spots.  On a few steep sections, runoff from mountain springs rippled down trail under our boots.  A substantial amount of canopy provided us with comfortable hiking all day.

One of a number of wooden footbridges on trail.

Trail from the Tunnel is called South Boulder Creek Trail.  It gains about 475' el. as it snakes through forests of Aspen, and Spruce, while crossing numerous small meadows littered with healthy wildflowers thanks to recent rain showers.  At 1.2 mi., trail splits to either Arapaho or Forest Lakes.  It continues to a wooden footbridge over Arapaho Creek at 1.7 mi.

U. S. Forest Ranger Volunteers patrol these mountains daily.  We met Steve, who was obviously happy doing the job he loved.   

Lower Forest Lake

Trail continues to meander up slope through thick forests to a wooden bridge across the marshy outlet waters of Lower Forest Lake at 3.1 mi.  Most of the group had lunch here.  This is one more example of the dozens of top quality hiking destinations we are privileged to enjoy. 

Thank you, Kent Krause, ACAA Recreation Program Assistant, and Ed Blum, High Country Hiker Group Leader/Driver.  These two guys spend hours reviewing maps, making calls to secure permits, plus perform all the behind-the-scenes work needed to insure hikers have a diverse and exciting hiking schedule.  In addition, they promote this popular hiking program throughout the community, and of course take the heat when something goes awry...which rarely happens.

Chuck adds a colorful display of bubbles to an otherwise mundane lunch break.

A first time hiker with HCH group, Chuck Britton, surprised everybody by providing a stream of bubbles during lunch.  Chuck told us he takes a bottle of bubble solution every where he goes.  

Indian Paintbrush dot the meadows of JPW.

An abundance of Blue Columbine all day.

A few members of the group continued past the lake, across a small field of Talus at 3.5 mi. and made their approach to the northeast corner of Lake #2 at 3.9 mi. where they had their lunch.

                                                                                                                                          The sun made a warm statement today, but temperatures never reached typical numbers for this time of year.  Our return to the TH was equally quiet to the mornings climb...until we came to within range of that obnoxious tunnel fan.

Our day ended in the mountain town of Nederland, where we stopped at the Blue Owl Ice Cream Parlor and used Book Store.  It is the time of day when group members can relax, and catch up. 

Total miles = 7.8

Total elevation gain = 1,641'  

High Country Hikers, Front row, kneeling, (L to R): Dorothy Stromberg, Mary Kay Ryan, and Judy Shaw.  Back row, (L to R): Joe Jackson, Nancy Bralic, Hike Leader/Driver, Ed Blum, Kathy Hall, Marian Conaway, and Chuck Britton.  Not shown, Raheal Kneebone and Gary Merical.  Photos by Gary Alleman, Happy Trails Photography, Aurora, Colorado