Trail Information
- Area: Upper Boulder Lake – Gore Range
- Trailhead: Rock Creek Trailhead
- Dates: 6/18/2020 – 6/21/2020
- Length: ~14 miles in/out
- Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
Unlike my other posts, I wanted to first highlight my trail struggles with a few pictures and a map shown below. All online trail maps only have trails ending about 3 miles short of Upper Boulder Lake, so you’re forced to guess the correct path. I also had the unfortunate luck of some light rain during my first day hiking, making the trail much harder to find. I believe it would be much easier to stay on track mid-summer after it’s been tracked down, especially for a first-time hiker to Upper Boulder Lake. Early June still had a bunch of snow on trail. With no tracks to follow I was constantly post holing in snow (sometimes mud), getting off trail and backtracking several times from getting cliffed out, crossings over wet logs across a raging early summer river that created some hiking anxiety.
I was a little sanguine coming into the hike, especially with such a late start, believing that I could make it all the way to Upper Boulder Lake. Weather, darkness and lack of trail hindered me a bit. I did start at Rock Creek Trailhead (#1 below) as compared to Boulder Creek Trailhead (#2). Apparently, you used to be able to park up Boulder Creek Road within a few miles of Boulder Lake, but now I’ve read they will ticket/tow if you park at the old trailhead. You may, however, park near the highway at #2 and hike up the road 4-5 miles. Rock Creek seemed to be a safer bet and more official trailhead, although you may have a little bit more elevation to hike, it seems to be much prettier.
Note: I’ve added quotations around “Upper Boulder Lake” on map as Google doesn’t recognize it as such. I believe Hiking Project is the only site I’ve been on that recognizes that name.
That first afternoon took me longer than expected, and decided to camp right about where the trail maps end. Good thing as it starting raining even harder as I set up camp, and as I will find out, the next several miles would’ve been more difficult at dusk, especially if wet.
After hanging my tent and letting what I can dry the morning of, I got my late start and made my way up to Upper Boulder. I definitely got off trail several times, probably climbed precarious spots that I shouldn’t have and indubitably crossed on more wet logs than I should have. The snow-covered trail didn’t help as well, especially since there were absolutely no tracks to remotely follow. But this place itself was beautiful. This area (maybe all of Gore Range?) seems to be thicker and greener. The early summer heavy creek runs were producing several fantastic waterfalls along the route. But with an abundance of waterfalls, means an abundance of steep cliffs. Several times I caught myself cliffed out and having to back track. About a mile from Upper Boulder Lake, the trail supposedly runs high, river right, to avoid the last cliff right at lake. I easily missed the turn off and ended up hiking river left – not recommended.
Once at Upper Boulder Lake, I could tell it was easily worth it. Beautiful lake, and I was the only one up there. Unfortunately, it was very windy for the rest of the day, but still was able to explore the whole area day after. Walking around the lake, I found a few different areas to camp in. I ended up in #1, as there was a nice rocky wind block, firepit/kitchen area and plentiful room for a hammock. Icing on cake was the views directly to the east as shown in the featured image. #1 was open enough to fit a few tents, maybe a 4–6 person sized site. If more room is needed, #2 is only 30-40 yards away and offers room for another tent or two. I originally scoped out #3 (as I came in from the north) and really enjoyed the light running water. A site that can fit 1 tent, possibly 2 if drier. It was just a little too windy at the time. My exploration to the upper lake yielded a few other smaller camp spots (#4 & #5) should you want more exclusion. You don’t quite get the views to the east however.
There was just too much snow for me to explore the lakes higher up. Browsing Google Maps, it seems there is plentiful area to explore and many lakes to camp around. I can’t wait to head back here mid/late summer to explore the area more properly.