GO HIKE COLORADO
Get in Touch:
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • HIKES BY REGION
    • DENVER AREA >
      • Denver Mountain Parks
      • Jefferson County Open Space
      • Lakewood Parks
      • Denver Area Greenways
    • BOULDER AREA
    • DOUGLAS COUNTY
    • FORT COLLINS AREA
    • COLORADO SPRINGS AREA
    • FRONT RANGE
    • TENMILE & MOSQUITO RANGES
    • GORE RANGE
    • SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS
    • PARK RANGE
    • SAWATCH RANGE
    • ELK MOUNTAINS
    • SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS
    • THE FLAT TOPS
    • GRAND MESA
    • COLORADO PLATEAU
    • EASTERN PLAINS
  • NATIONAL PARK HIKES
    • BENT'S OLD FORT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
    • BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
    • COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
    • DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • FLORISSANT FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
    • ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
    • GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
    • HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • SAND CREEK MASSACRE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
    • YUCCA HOUSE NATIONAL MONUMENT
  • HIKES BY CATEGORY
    • HIKES TO ALPINE LAKES
    • HIKES TO PEAKS & PASSES
    • HIKES THROUGH CANYONS
    • HIKES WITH FALL COLORS
    • HIKES ALONG THE I-70 CORRIDOR
    • HIKES ON PAVED TRAILS
    • HIKES FOR KIDS
    • HIKES TO WATERFALLS
    • HIKES ALONG RIVERS
    • HIKES WITH ROCK FORMATIONS
    • HIKES WITH WILDFLOWERS
    • WINTER HIKES
  • NEWS
  • WEBCAMS
  • $UPPORT GHC
  • INTERACTIVE MAP

Twin Crater Lakes
Rawah Wilderness; Roosevelt National Forest

Date Hiked: July 12-13, 2014

Distance: 13.6 mi (RT)
​Elevation Gain: 3,717 ft

  • Elevation Min/Max: 8,578 to 11,085 ft
  • Trailhead Lat/Long: 40º 40' 44" N; 105º 51' 16" W
  • Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service
  • Fee: None

West Branch Trail Webpage (USFS)
Picture

Directions:  From Fort Collins, head west on Hwy 14 for about 55 miles.  Just before Chambers Lake, turn right (North) onto County Road 103.  Follow this good dirt road north for 6 miles to the West Branch Trailhead and parking area.

The Twin Crater Lakes are one of the hidden gems of the Front Range.  Deep inside the Rawah Wilderness getting there requires either a killer day hike, or a moderate backpacking trip...I suggest backpacking.  For this hike you just need to keep in mind that the destination is phenomenal, while the approach can get monotonous.  Hiking this trail later in the summer is recommended as this particular mid-July weekend provided very difficult trail conditions.  Be warned there are 3 creek crossings on the Rawah Trail portion of the hike that are currently washed out (as of July 2014) and there is lots of deadfall making for difficult backpacking.   But... it is absolutely worth every bit of energy you can muster to get up to the Twin Crater Lakes Basin, it is amazing.  

The first three miles of the hike traverse wonderful aspen forest that gradually transitions to lodgepole pine forest.  The hiking is mild with a few strenuous stretches.  When you reach the junction with the Camp Lake Trail, stay straight on the West Branch for another, easier mile.  At the 4 mile mark you'll reach the 1st creek crossing which may require some wading.  Just after the creek you'll turn right (north) onto the Rawah Trail.  This is the segment that could use some trail maintenance.  Continue through pine forest for about 1.5 miles and cross two more large creeks before reaching the turnoff for the Twin Crater Lakes trail.  From here it is about 1.5 miles to the Lakes.  The Twin Crater Lakes trail steeply gains altitude for about .5 mi before entering a wonderful meadow with a creek running through it.  This makes for a great campsite area.  You can camp further up the trail but you soon break treeline and with the frequent afternoon storms it is generally safer to camp below the treeline.

The trail from the meadow to the lakes makes all the effort to get here worth it.  This basin is wonderful, the views of the peaks, many of which are unnamed, will beckon you forward.  There may be some snowfields to cross but after a short steep climb you'll find yourself at the edge of the first of the Twin Crater Lakes...pure paradise...  You can explore the shores of both lakes and the views of the surrounding peaks and back down the valley are tremendous.  Unfortunately for me, I was interrupted by a surprise storm coming UP the valley (while the weather at the peaks was beautiful) and had to run back to my camp.  Still if all you get to see is the tip of the first lake, then the trip is a huge success.

This is tough spot to get to but the rewards are all the sweeter.  If you have the time, I highly recommend spending a few days exploring this area, there are bench lakes all around and opportunities for long backpacking routes, with minimal people.  But if you had to choose one spot to focus on, the Twin Crater Lakes will not disappoint. 
© Go Hike Colorado, 2020.  All Rights Reserved. 
Use of photographs without prior authorization is
​strictly prohibited.


Contact us at:
[email protected]
Legal Disclaimer - Information provided on this site is based upon our own observations, always double check information with the appropriate land management agency before heading into the backcountry.  Backcountry travel is inherently dangerous, please take all proper precautions.  Go Hike Colorado is not responsible for injury or incident.