Recreation Region: Boulder Ranger District

King Lake (#901)

From the trailhead, the Devils Thumb Trail climbs steeply for about a half-mile on an old road. Cross the bridge and stay on the main Devils Thumb Trail; do not take the Bypass Trail. Pass the turnoff for Lost Lake and follow the King Lake Trail. It soon enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness and steadily gains 1,200' in elevation over the next four miles. Towards the upper end, the Twin Trestles of the Moffat Road are visible clinging to the slope. About a mile before reaching King Lake, the trail makes several switchbacks.

The King Lake Trail passes King Lake and climbs a ridge for half a mile to the Continental Divide. There it meets the High Lonesome Trail. A loop from Hessie to King Lake to High Lonesome Trail to Devils Thumb Lake and back to Hessie, makes a great fifteen-mile overnight backpacking trip (permits required).

General Information

View a trail map here.

Camping permits required for all overnight trips between June 1 and September 15. Overnight permits cost $5 per group, per trip from June 1 through September 15.

Organized groups are required to have a permit for both camping and day-hiking year round. Day-hiking permits are free.

Motorized equipment and mechanized transportation are prohibited.

Pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times.

Campfires are prohibited year round.

Campsites must be at least 100 feet away from water and trail.

Group size is limited to 12 (people and livestock combined).

Processed weed-free feed is required for stock.

Dogs must be on a hand-held leash.

Getting There

Elevation

11,431 feet at King Lake

Directions

From Nederland, head south on Colorado Highway 119 for 0.6 miles. Turn west onto County Road 130, signed for Eldora. Follow the paved road through the valley to the Town of Eldora, where the pavement ends. Continue beyond the end of the pavement for 0.75 miles to the fork in the road. The left fork goes to Hessie Trailhead.