Rollins Pass East

The road that ascends from the Peak-to-Peak Highway to Rollins Pass follows a century-old rail crossing over the continental divide.  It is bumpy and tedious to drive, but rewards with a cluster of small paddleboarding lakes that can be easily accessed from the road.  Yankee Doodle, Jenny and Upper Forest Lakes are all refreshing summertime escapes, each with their own distinct sub-alpine settings.  There are scattered, primitive camping sites along Rollins Pass Road and any of these lakes make a nice addition to a car-camp outing here.  The upper parts of the road usually don't melt out until July.  Road status can be checked on the forest service website.  

Upper Forest Lake

The eastern approach to the pass departs the CO-119 segment of the Peak to Peak Highway at the small town of Rollinsville.  It is right where the Denver & Rio Grande West tracks cross under the highway, 2 miles south of the junction of highways 119 and 72, or 14 miles north of Blackhawk.  From Rollinsville, County Road 16 (Tolland Road) travels west through the rustic community of Tolland toward the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel.  At 6.5 miles from Rollinsville, just before East Portal, the Rollins Pass road turns sharply east (Forest Road 149) to begin its gently ascending path on the railroad grade up Rollins Pass.  The road becomes rougher and more potholed beyond this point, but is still navigable with a moderate-clearance vehicle--it just requires slow speeds and some patience.  The first Lake to appear is Yankee Doodle at 9.2 miles past the East Portal junction.  

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    (Yankee / Jenny / Forest)

    
    Scenery: 4 / 3 / 5
    Shoreline Interest: 2 / 1 / 3
    

    Use: Low-moderate
    Fee: None
    Access: High Clearance 2WD,

    + 0.3 mi. hike for Upper Forest,

    4WD for Jenny Lake
    Full elev = 10700-10850; 

    minimal water level change
    Weather

Yankee Doodle Lake

Yankee Doodle Lake Panorama

Yankee Doodle is well-known among anglers and high-country explorers in the area.  It lies inside a sweeping switchback on the railroad grade just beyond the route's emergence from the dense forests below.  The lake is picturesque and inviting, even if most of its shoreline is only a stone's throw from the road.  If you've had enough of the Rollins Pass Road by the time you reach Yankee Doodle, there is no need to travel any further for a wonderful half-day on the water.  

Yankee Doodle Lake is cradled by a steep slope that drops away from the upper part of the pass and holds snow into the summer.  It is a decent area to get some post-season turns, especially during the narrow window when the road is open and free of snow, but the upper slopes are not yet melted out.  For an epic Colorado day, spend an hour or two floating on ice-cold Yankee Doodle with an ice-cold brew after skiing spring corn on the slope above.  

Yankee Doodle Lake

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake

Jenny is the highest and least protected of the three lakes on Rollins Pass Road.  It is 0.8 miles above Yankee Doodle Lake then 0.1 miles up a 4WD spur.  It's not as inviting as Yankee Doodle or Upper Forest Lake, and it can get windy.  But there are a couple of camp spots on the spur road that can be a convenient base for exploring this part of the pass.  Jenny Lake has an open vista to the east, so it could be a good place to watch a sunrise if camping here.  

Upper Forest Lake

Upper Forest Lake Panorama

1.1 miles past the Jenny Lake spur is the Forest Lakes Trailhead.  Upper Forest Lake is a quintessential Colorado sub-alpine lake.  While none of its attributes are unique to this spot, it features all of the qualities that make high mountain lakes so magical.  Dramatic Alpine cirque?  Check.  Crystal clear water?  Check.  Pristine spruce forest?  Check.  Sounds from a tumbling cascade? Check.  Unicorns?  Maybe.   

Upper Forest Lake

Accessing Upper Forest Lake requires a 0.25 mile downhill trail hike after the long, bumpy drive up Rollins Pass.  But its reward is sublime!  The hike down is short and scenic, and the return trip back up isn't bad at all.  Logistically, it's probably easiest to bring an inflatable and pump up near the lakeshore.  It may take a little poking around to find a favorable place to launch.  Once on the water, every corner of the lake is inviting.  There are boulders, rock outcrops, earthy-hued shallows, and spectacular vistas all competing for attention.  

Colorful Shallows,
Upper Forest Lake

Upper Forest Lake, looking south

Another great quality of Upper Forest Lake is the topographical protection provided by the alpine cirque and spruce forest that surround it.  A moderate breeze can create some ripples on the surface, but it takes a lot of disturbance to make the waters really choppy.  On most fair-weather days, the lake should have at least one cove in an up-wind corner with calm waters.  But the odds of finding the entire lake with a glassy surface are surprisingly good considering its near-treeline altitude.  

South Boulder Creek Headwaters

Crater Lakes Panorama

The upper basin of South Boulder Creek contains many great sub-alpine lakes that invite further exploration.  This area of pristine lakes is protected by the James Peak Wilderness.  The lakes all require moderate to difficult hikes to access, but all are spectacular and rewarding.  The popular East Portal Trailhead provides access to this area by way of the South Boulder Creek Trail.  It has the added bonus of being easily accessible by car for anyone who doesn't have the proper vehicle or desire to trudge up Rollins Pass Road.  Spur trails to Crater Lakes, Arapaho Lakes, and Forest Lakes each give access to clusters of sub-alpine lakes.  Some of them are even close enough to link together with an easy portage!

The many small lakes of South Boulder Creek
[screenshot: Colorado Boatable Waters Map:
https://cpw.state.co.us]

Trekking up to the lakes of South Boulder Creek definitely requires a greater level of effort than nearby lakes with shorter hikes like Lost, Diamond or Isabel.  But it can be a good Plan B on days when the Hessie Trailheads fills up early or when there are no available entry passes for Brainard Lake.  If the parking lot nearest the Moffat Tunnel is filled up, be aware of parking restrictions on the county road to avoid getting ticketed.   

Crater Lake #2 (mid-north)

Crater Lake #3 (mid-south)

Rollins Pass and South Boulder Creek are popular areas given their proximity to Denver, but most visitors don't make it all the way onto the water.  If you're willing to take the time, you can probably have any one of these gems to yourself.  Due to the time required to get back to civilization, good preparation and favorable weather are prudent.  Water temperatures are cold year-round, so wear a PFD!  Definitely bring an extra layer or two, and be sure that your vehicle is up to the abuse dished out by Rollins Pass Road.  Pick a warm day with a low precipitation probability and manageable winds (15 mph or less), and check the hourly forecast to understand when storms might blow in.  Great adventures await!  Have fun and explore safely!