Boulder, CO: Jasper Lake

Park in the designated 2 wheel drive area, the Hessie trailhead is roughly .5 mile from here. Once at the trailhead follow Devil’s Thumb trail to Jasper lake. The hike to the lake is mostly uphill, but offers beautiful views of Indian Peaks Wilderness, Lost Lake and several far off rivers that race down the mountains. This trail guides the hiker past a waterfall within the first 2 miles and through a meadow blooming with yellow, red and purple flowers. 

There will be a point in the trail when three small streams cross over the trail and run down the mountain. At this point it’s a 15-20 minute hike until the lake. Once at the lake walk around the perimiter to find your own secluded alcove within the trees. Beware: the bottom of the lake is very rocky, I wouldn’t advise jumping in before testing the bottom first. 

Once you’ve had a snack and let the cool wind that blows off the lake’s surface cool you down head back to the trail, which is a quick trip down to your car. 

-Mapped by Erin Lenczycki

Trail Facts

• Distance: 13.1

Waypoints

Hessie Trailhead

Location: 39.954008, -105.599342

From here take Devil’s Thumb trail to Jasper Lake.

Point 1

Location: 39.955958, -105.605461

Continue over the bridge.

Point 2

Location: 39.955321, -105.608742

The waterfall can be heard as you make your way up to it. Take a second to cool off in the waters.

Point 3

Location: 39.955542, -105.616711

Enter the meadow. Great place to bird watch and take a break next to the river. Might even see some people fishing for Brook Trout.

Point 4

Location: 39.956159, -105.620323

Leave the meadow and start a more rigorous hike uphill.

Point 5

Location: 39.964101, -105.632243

A far off river, which can be heard while hiking, can be seen through a clearing in the trees. The part which can be seen in most likely several small waterfalls.

Point 6

Location: 39.968932, -105.635276

Take in the view before heading up the trail, it will get rockier from here.

Point 7

Location: 39.968943, -105.639274

This is the first of several streams that quickly run over the trail. It might get a little slippery.

Point 8

Location: 39.97387, -105.649258

The trees clear at this point and the side of the mountain is blanketed with rocks, the peaks surrounding the lake can barely be seen.

Jasper Lake

Location: 39.974576, -105.660352

The trail opens up to a large opening and the lake can finally be seen.

Our Alcove

Location: 39.975517, -105.6619

Hungry and hot, we found this little spot to have lunch. Several sand bars could be seen and the curve of the lake had a nice beach which we gladly traded in for rocks.

Parking Area

Location: 39.951383, -105.594258

Even if you have a 4WD vehicle, try parking here. There are more spaces.

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Location: 39.956053, -105.605414

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Location: 39.955165, -105.608976

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Location: 39.955511, -105.616529

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Location: 39.956086, -105.620112

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Location: 39.963964, -105.632172

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Location: 39.968865, -105.635176

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Location: 39.969178, -105.63906

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Location: 39.973733, -105.648952

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Location: 39.974522, -105.660238

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Location: 39.975443, -105.66174