Separated from the Indian Peaks wilderness by Rollins Pass, the James Peak wilderness contains the eastern flank of a ridge of rounded peaks, the highest of which is 13,294 James Peak. After reviewing my list, I suggested a hike to Crater Lakes in the James Peak Wilderness area. Sports & Recreation. James Peak wilderness is located immediately south of but not contiguous with the Indian Peaks wilderness. This trail fades in a couple places since … The St Mary's Glacier Trailhead is located 9.3 miles north of I-70 on SR 275 (Fall River Road). The trailhead is located at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel about 10 miles west of Rollinsville, Colorado. The James Peak area became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 2002. veers to the south and gives access to the James Lake trail and points south. Designated a wilderness in 2002, the James Peak wilderness is located south and west of the town of Nederland, not far from the tiny community of Rollinsville. James is a peak of many options, with easy walks, a technical east face and an interesting ridge walk from neighboring Mount Bancroft. The trail follows the forested South Boulder Creek drainage while crossing numerous creeks along the way. James Peak wilderness consists of 17,015 acres of high altitude peaks, alpine tundra, and over a dozen small alpine lakes and tarns nestled on the eastern edge of the Continental Divide above treeline. The wilderness area borders Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north and the James Peak Protection Area to the west. [1], The wilderness area encompasses 17,015 acres (69 km2) immediately east of the Continental Divide in Gilpin County and Clear Creek County. James Peak Lake Trail – A short downhill hike to James Lake, nestled at the bottom of 13,294 ft. high James Peak. A large parking lot at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel is your destination. The easiest access to the James Peak Wilderness Area is from the east. James Peak 13,294ft via Continental Divide National Scenic Trail James Peak Wilderness, Arapaho National Forest. 10 likes. [3], 66 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Yanks Gulch/Upper Greasewood Creek Natural Area, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Peak_Wilderness&oldid=999852496, Protected areas of Clear Creek County, Colorado, Protected areas of Gilpin County, Colorado, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 12 January 2021, at 07:55. The wilderness contains lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests, mainly on the northern end, and in drainages on the eastern perimeter. James Peak and vicinity has recently been made into a Wilderness Area. Testimonials. The trail head for the Crater Lakes hike in the James Peak wilderness is close by for a nice day hike up to two beautiful high Mountain Lakes. Crater Lakes Trail, James Peak Wilderness, Colorado If you’re looking for the perfect beginner backpacking trip for any season, the Crater Lakes Trail in the James Peak Wilderness is it . Parry Peak is the highest peak in the James Peak Wilderness, at 13,391 feet (4,082 m). The northern end of the wilderness is accessed through Rollins Pass Rd / Tolland Rd. The James Peak area became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 2002. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/colorado/james-peak-wilderness James Peak (13,294 feet) was named for Edwin James, an American physician and botanist who traveled to Colorado on the 1819 U.S. Army expedition led by Major Stephen Long. Dedicated to educating the public about Colorado's wild lands and promoting responsible recreation and conservation. The wilderness contains lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests, mainly on the northern end, and in drainages on the eastern perimeter. James Peak is a high mountain summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America.The 13,300-foot (4,054 m) thirteener is located on the Continental Divide in the James Peak Wilderness of Arapaho National Forest and Roosevelt National Forest, 5.2 miles (8.4 km) east-southeast (bearing 110°) of the Town of Winter Park, Colorado, United States. Lakes viewed from above on James Peak, as captured by Mark James. Excellent customer service. James Peak Wilderness. The trail begins at the top of a ridge and rapidly descends a rocky trail to the lake. It is an extremely popular peak and is a common first ascent for those who are interested in ski mountaineering. The Heart Lake Trail, Forest Lakes Trail, and Crater Lakes Trail are all part of the James Peak Wilderness Area with their trailheads located at the Moffat Tunnel East Portal about 8 miles west of Rollinsville, Co, on the well-groomed dirt Tolland Road ( also called East Portal Road or County Road 16, turn off from Highway 119). The James Peak Wilderness Area is an alpine wonderland with sweeping views, several majestic peaks, and numerous sparkling lakes. The James Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. It was designated as a Wilderness Area by the U.S.Congress on 2002. The James Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. It is located on the east side of the Continental Divide, between Beuthold Pass to the south and Rollins Pass to the north. This map was created by a user. The wilderness was established by H.R.1576 in the 107th Congress (2001).The Peak was named after Edwin James, pioneer and botanist. After 3.5 miles, turn on National Forest Rd. The wilderness encompasses 17,084 acres with 15 lakes, 4 trails covering 20 miles, and crosses the Continental Divide at Rogers Pass. This high-elevation wildland forms the headwaters for the Fraser River, South Boulder Creek and North and West Forks of Clear Creek. James Peak Wilderness, CO Distance: 8.3 miles Traveled: St. Mary’s Glacier Trailhead to James Peak Summit (13,294′) “The foreground was now aflame with autumn colors, brown and purple and gold, ripe in the mellow sunshine; contrasting brightly with the deep, cobalt blue of the sky, and the black and gray, and pure, spiritual white of the rocks and glaciers.” Sign up for Facebook today to discover local businesses near you. James Peak Wilderness Area Ski Tours. The wilderness is named after its second tallest mountain, 13,294-foot (4,052 m) James Peak. The wilderness contains several high altitude lakes and thirteen thousand foot James Peak. From the trailhead it climbs 4.2 miles to Heart and Rogers Pass lakes. The western portion of the wilderness tops out at the top of a line of treeless peaks that march north-south forming the Continental Divide. Learn how to create your own. The wilderness area borders Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north and the James Peak Protection Area to the west. Wearing waterproof footwear is recommended. Extremely cold (max -11°C on Mon afternoon, min -19°C on Sat night). James Peak Wilderness. Wind will be generally light. General Information. The James Peak Wilderness was designated as wilderness in 2002 by an act of Congress and signed by George W. Bush. The James Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. From I-70, exit #238 for St Mary's - Alice - Fall River Road. This hike is super-short, doesn’t have a lot of elevation gain, and you’ll be camping at … James Peak straddles the juxtaposition of the Clear Creek Ranger District, Sulphur Ranger District and James Peak Wilderness Area. The James Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in north central Colorado in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. This trail takes you into the James Peak wilderness. For this reason, hikers enjoy the wilderness mainly in the summer months from July through September. (Days 3-6): Mostly dry. Evans Wilderness, Rocky Mountain National Park. Heart Lake is tucked into James Peak Wilderness, a 17,000-plus-acre spread in central Colorado that is named for Edwin James. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -6°C on Wed morning, min -13°C on Mon night). Forest trail with mountain views leading to alpine lakes. The wilderness is named after its second tallest mountain, 13,294-foot (4,052 m) James Peak. Keep a look out for big horn sheep and ptarmigan once on the tundra. The James Peak Wilderness offers some amazing views and great opportunities for backpacking. Heart Lake / Rogers Pass Lake – Hike to two lakes set on a bench beneath the Continental Divide. A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of backpacking with some of my closest friends from Austin. The wilderness area borders Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north and the James Peak Protection Area to the west. James Peak Wildernesss. It is a fairly new wilderness area being designated in August 2002, and is 14,000 acres in size. From Hwy 119, at Rollinsville, head west on Tolland Rd for eight miles to the Moffat Tunnel. The apex of the tunnel is at 9,239 feet above sea level. The area's elevation ranges from 9,200 feet to 13,294 feet and includes upper montane, sub-alpine and alpin… Accessible nearly year round, James Peak is an easy area to explore due to it’s relatively small size. Originally Pikes Peak was named James Peak prior to Pike's exploration journey. Many of the trails in the wilderness begin below treeline and end at small alpine lakes beneath cliffs or granite peaks that reach the top of the Continental Divide (the spine of the North American continent that separates the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean drainages.). The wilderness area generally extends from Rollins Pass in the north along the Continental Divide to Berthoud Pass in the south. [2], The wilderness was established by H.R.1576 in the 107th Congress (2001). History. From CO-119, turn left onto Cnty Rd 16, Tolland Rd and head west for 5 miles. After the renaming to Pikes Peak, the current James Peak was named. A good dirt road leads to Apex, a tiny town northwest of Central … The first part is an old jeep trail that will take you up to WP22, from there a new trail heads up to crater lakes. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Mt. 353 and continue for 3.3 miles to the James Peak Lake Trail. They made a whirlwind trip up to Colorado, and we made the most of the weekend by camping, fishing, laughing, tossing a frisbee, and summiting James Peak… All Rights Reserved. The elevation ranges from 9,200 to 13,294 feet, which includes upper montane, sub-alpine, and alpine ecosystems. Book a Trip. It is separated from the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area by Rollins Pass. It is situated in Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties of Colorado and is part of both the Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests. The U.S. Forest Service is the governing body of the wilderness. The kids were more the psyched to pack up their Fox 30 packs with all their gear and head to the rocky mountains. © Colorado's Wild Areas. James Peak was named after Edwin James, pioneer and botanist. Nick Sangetta and Barb Sangetta hike to Rogers Pass in the James Peak Wilderness, Colorado on September 26, 2019. James Peak was named for Edwin James, an American physician and botanist who traveled to Colorado on the 1819/1820 U.S. Army Expedition led by Major Stephen Long. The wilderness boundary extends north to Rollins Pass, west to the top of the Continental Divide, and south nearly to Hwy 40. The railroad tunnel is 24 feet high, 18 feet wide, and 6.2 miles long. James Peak Wilderness from Mapcarta, the free map. Date Hiked: July 31, 2015 Distance: 9.5 mi (RT) Elevation Gain: 3,200ft Elevation Min/Max: 10, 283 to 13,294ft Trailhead Lat/Long: 39º 48' 47" N; 105º 39' 21" W Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service Fee: None The trail head is marked with signage and is located on the edge of a treeless ridge. James Peak wilderness consists of 17,015 acres of high altitude peaks, alpine tundra, and over a dozen small alpine lakes and tarns nestled on the eastern edge of the Continental Divide above treeline. We hiked into the James Peak Wilderness up to Heart lake just below the continental divide. The James Peak Wilderness Area was designated in 2001, and comprises 14,000 acres. There are ten named mountains in the James Peak Wilderness area and the highest, and most prominent, is Parry Peak. The South Boulder Creek trail begins from the East Portal trailhead. The weather can turn quickly in the higher altitudes so plan accordingly. James Peak Wilderness is a reserve in Colorado and has an elevation of 12,169 feet. It was about 10 miles round trip. The South Boulder Creek trail begins at the East portal of the Moffat Tunnel. The wilderness area borders Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north and the James Peak Protection Area to the west. Turn left onto Mammoth Gulch Rd., a rough 4WD road. Bring your backpack with a few snacks and some water, and take advantage of this beautiful hike especially in the fall when the aspen trees are changing colors. James was the first botanist to describe many of the plants of the Rocky Mountains. The James Peak Wilderness contains over 17,000 acres, located within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The wilderness receives heavy snow in the winter. James Peak Wilderness Area Ski Tours; James Peak Wilderness Area Ski Tours. Parry Peak is the highest peak in the James Peak Wilderness, at 13,391 feet (4,082 m). Views of high alpine peaks, James Lake, and stunted krummholz trees. Another forest road, Mammoth Gulch Road (a 4WD road accessed via Tolland Rd.) James Peak Weather (Days 0-3): A dusting of new snow. Marked with signage and is located immediately south of but not contiguous with the Indian Peaks Wilderness to James... Act of Congress and signed by George W. Bush of a treeless ridge in central Colorado in the Peak. 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