Lost Lake via Hessie Trail is a 4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Nederland, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
FIRE CLOSURE: As of January 2021, there are closures in this park or area due to wildfire. For more information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/arp/alerts-notices. There is a shuttle that runs between Nederland High school and the Hessie trailhead. Visit https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/parks-and-trails/hessie-trailhead/
Boulder Ranger District 2140 Yarmouth Avenue Boulder, CO 80301 Phone: 303-541-2500
A few parts can get very slippery: ice spikes, micro spikes or poles recommended.
Lost Lake is accessed from the Hessie Trailhead just outside the southeast boundary of the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland, Colorado. From downtown Nederland, go south on Highway 72 for .5 miles to County Road 130 and make a right. You will see a sign for Eldora Ski Resort at this junction. In the summer, catch the free shuttle from the RTD Park-n-Ride in Nederland.
April 12, 2021packed snow; spikes needed prior to the midday sun. there is a narrow trail to the right side of the flooded creek area mentioned below.
April 11, 2021We’re so excited to do this trail, but the middle of it is currently flooded and the snow to the side of the trail is too deep to hike through
April 11, 2021Snowy packed but so great!
April 4, 2021Hiked today with the pups. Snow still throughout, packed on the way up but conditions were slushy on the way down. Great weather, no bugs, the sun poked out as the afternoon went on.
March 28, 2021Great hike. Snow shoes required after the fork to Jasper. Wind is covering the trail today.
March 20, 2021The road is paved the entire way from Denver until about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Then the road becomes wet sand & fine gravel bc it runs by a creek, & is extremely narrow so that only one car can drive through at a time. Today that portion of the road was icy, slushy, & bumpy & super crowded! have 2WD & it's a miracle I didn't get stuck. I would've parked before the sand but it looked like a tow zone. 4WD for sure! The trail itself was gorgeous and well worth it. The snow is slushy, icy, & packed down in patches so I left my snowshoes in the car & was perfect for microspikes only. Snowshoes would've been helpful in a few spots but I don't think it'd been worth the weight of carrying them.
March 18, 2021Perfect for snow shoeing. Get there early limited parking.
March 10, 2021Great trail, icy and melted at first but then we put snowshoes on which was very helpful. Great view at the top.
March 10, 2021Snow was packed and slick early in the morning, would recommend spikes! I did it without them in the morning, my friend gave me one of his spikes to go down (was much easier). In the afternoon the snow melted and it was better to walk with only one spike on going down. Sun hit and melted certain areas of the trail which also helped! Was very enjoyable overall!
March 9, 2021March 9, 2021The trail was totally packed down. We completed the hike without any traction, but some spots were definitely slick. We lucked out with no wind at the top at the lake. Overall, a great little hike.
March 9, 2021Great quick trail with decent elevation, 99% of the trail was snow packed, my friend and I made it up in hiking boots but spikes would have been ideal, definitely gets slick at the top.
March 7, 2021March 6, 2021Beautiful winter hike. It gets steep toward the end, so I was glad to have microspikes. Parking was available at 8 am on Saturday, but it was full by the time we left.
March 6, 2021Solid little hike. If early might want micro spikes because it will be icy. We started 8am and wasn’t too crowded but by the time we got back there was very little parking.
March 1, 2021Snowy, but no spikes or snow boots needed. Hiking shoes with some grip would be best. Only two other people there on a Monday afternoon.
March 1, 2021Great hike. Practically nobody on the trail on a Monday morning. Only needed Trax as trail was hard pack.
March 1, 2021Great short hike. Went 2/28 and just boots is totally fine for the whole hike, although spikes are useful. The wind at the lake itself is bitter, but great hike
