East Portal Trailhead

Image of the South Boulder Creek trail with a wooden sign in a grassy mountain meadow

Provides access to South Boulder Creek Trail, Forest Lakes Trail, Crater Lakes Trail, Ute Trail and the Continental Divide Trail inside the James Peak Wilderness.

View an area map here.

At a Glance

Permit Info: No permits are required at this time.
Usage: Heavy
Restrictions: James Peak Wilderness restrictions apply:
  • 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.
Fishing and hunting: permitted in accordance with regulations established by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Closest Towns: Rollinsville, Colorado
Water: South Boulder Creek; treat water for drinking
Restroom: Portable
Operated By: U.S. Forest Service

General Information

Directions: From Nederland, travel south for 4.5 miles on Colorado Highway 119 to Rollinsville. Turn west onto the gravel Gilpin County Road 16 and continue eight miles to the Moffat Tunnel. A large parking area is available at the East Portal Trailhead.

Activities

Lake and Pond Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:
Size Restrictions none
Corrals none
Loading Ramp none
Hitching Rails none
Water Availability Occasional lakes and streams.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Recreation areas with activity XC Skiing/Snowshoeing: From the East Portal of the Moffat Train Tunnel, the South Boulder Creek Trail heads west, past the north side of the tunnel entrance. After a mile the Forest Lakes trail forks to the north. Both South Boulder Creek Trail and Forest Lakes Trail are popular ski or snowshoe treks to alpine lakes below the Continental Divide. Both trails are approximately four miles in length one way, and become increasingly difficult as they approach the lakes.
Warming Shelters none
Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult

Know Before You Go

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

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Location

 
  Latitude : 
39.902906

  Longitude : 
-105.644