High Lonesome Backpacking Route

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

An expansion on the popular High Lonesome Loop, this route tacks on the less used Woodland Lake Trail and Betty & Bob Lakes Trail for some backpacking options!

Hessie trailhead is extremely popular during the summer months and parking is limited. Please use the Boulder County Hessie Shuttle on summer and fall weekends and holidays.

From the trailhead, head out along the Devil's Thumb Trail #902. About 2.5 miles in, you'll reach the junction with Woodland Lake Trail. Head down this way to find a nice campsite for the night and take in the view of the is gorgeous basin below Skyskraper Peak. Camping here, keeps you at a slightly lower elevation than some other options you'd reach further on this trail (Jasper Lake and Devils Thumb)

The next morning, head back and continue following Devil's Thumb Trail #902. This is a long day, at 10-11 miles to reach the next camping area on Betty & Bob Lakes Trail. Make sure to leave early so you can try to be out of the high country if there is a threat of thunderstorms. The views along the ridge are unforgettable and capped perfectly with summer wildflowers or autumn colors. It's so quiet and remote that as you come around the back, you may be surprised to see cars across the saddle at a dirt parking area! (This is Rollins Pass (aka Corona Pass).)

Instead of crossing the saddle, head down towards King Lake, then beyond to the side trail that leads to Betty & Bob Lakes. If the weather is nice, this is a good place to set camp. If not, you may want to continue on and tuck into the trees lower down.

After another night out, continue on King Lake Trail for a straight shot back to the trailhead the next day!