This trail is located west of Nederland and Eldora, in the Middle Boulder Creek Trail System. It accesses Woodland Lake. Other linking trails include King Lake, Lost Lake, and Devil's Thumb/Jasper Lakes. This area offers relatively flat skiing terrain, with steeper pitches as you near the lakes. This trailhead accesses the southern most drainage of the Indian Peaks wilderness approximately 1.6 miles west of the Hessie Townsite. Follow the trail from the parking lot to the King Lake Cutoff. Take the right fork (west-northwest) along the wagon road past the Indian Peaks boundary to the crossing of Jasper and Woodland Creeks. A trail sign points to the Woodland Lake Trail which stays on your right before entering a thick spruce forest. The final .3 miles to the lake runs through a windswept area of stunted conifers. Return the same way. The trail from Hessie to Lost Lake climbs rather sharply up the old wagon road. Snow conditions in the open areas may vary from hard pack to powder to wind slab. This trail should be viewed as a full day trip, so give yourself ample time. The descent from the Lost Lake cutoff to Hessie is quite steep and involves a rather sharp 90 degree left-hand turn to cross the bridge over Middle Boulder Creek--Ski within your abilities.
Directions from Nederland: Travel 0.6 mile south on Colorado Highway 119. Turn right (west) on County Road #130 and follow the signs to Eldora Ski Area. Travel past the Eldora Ski Area through the town of Eldora to the end of the plowed road.
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