This trail is located west of Nederland and Eldora, in the Middle Boulder Creek Trail System. It accesses Devils Thumb Lake. Other linking trails include King Lake, Lost Lake, and Woodland 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 instructions to the Woodland Lake Cutoff. Continue up the Jasper Creek drainage to your right, staying near the stream channel on the valley floor. Some switchbacking or higher angle traversing along the north slope will be required as the ravine narrows and heads due west. Entering a meadow at mile 5.5, where Jasper Creek intersects your path from the north, continue west by staying downslope from the steeper mountainside to your right. The final 3/4 mile requires a healthy right hand ascent of 500 vertical feet then drops slightly through Krummholz timber to Devils Thumb Lake at 11,160 feet. The view of the Divide and Devils Thumb is superb, but only strong advanced skiers should attempt this route. Return either the same way or follow the creek east of trees above the valley to your right (the ascent route).
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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