Boulder, CO: Jasper Lake
An 8.1 mile out and back that offers hikers sweeping views of Indian Peaks Wilderness, a waterfall and an alpine lake to cool off in before heading back down.
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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.
CIMG2968.JPG
Location: 39.956053, -105.605414
CIMG2975.JPG
Location: 39.955165, -105.608976
CIMG2985.JPG
Location: 39.955511, -105.616529
CIMG2988.JPG
Location: 39.956086, -105.620112
CIMG2990.JPG
Location: 39.963964, -105.632172
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Location: 39.968865, -105.635176
CIMG2992.JPG
Location: 39.969178, -105.63906
CIMG2995.JPG
Location: 39.973733, -105.648952
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Location: 39.974522, -105.660238
CIMG3003.JPG
Location: 39.975443, -105.66174
