Nestled high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, King Lake is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered by avid hikers, landscape photographers, and nature enthusiasts. At 11,340’ the lake lies just east of the Continental Divide in a deep cirque at the head of a spectacular alpine valley full of streams, ponds, and meadows. On a sunny day in late August, I set out to explore the beauty of this alpine paradise in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and hopefully capture a few awe-inspiring Colorado landscape photos along the way.
My adventure began at the Hessie Trailhead, about 5.5 miles from King Lake. With clear blue skies above and a gentle breeze in the air, I couldn’t have asked for better hiking conditions. The trail began on a steep dirt road that merged with the South Fork of Middle Boulder Creek at the split to the Devils Thumb Bypass Trail. The trail followed along the creek, passing a few beautiful cascades and waterfalls before crossing over the creek and climbing past the Lost Lake and Woodland Lake trail splits. I couldn’t resist stopping several times to compose a few waterfall landscape images. Below is one of my favorites, and who knows, this new waterfall photo might even make its way into my home or office décor.
Entering a mixed forest of pine and spruce trees the trail continued its steady climb up the south flank of Woodland Mountain for the next 2.5 miles. While views were limited by the thick forest, the fragrance of the evergreens created a serene ambiance and the audible sound of the nearby, but unseen, South Fork of Middle Boulder Creek was music to my ears. Eventually, the trail leveled off in a meadow beneath Guinn Mountain, roughly 3.85 miles from the trailhead. It met up with the creek again as the forest thinned out before abruptly banking to the right up a steep ridge of switchbacks that leveled off at tree line just before the split to the Betty and Bob Lakes trail.
As I hiked higher into the mountains and grew closer to King Lake, the landscape began to change. The trees thinned out in a transitional alpine landscape with abundant wildflowers and rangy mountain views back down the valley. At about 5.25 miles, a short, unmarked spur veers off to a small lake just below King Lake and is an attractive area on its own with several small waterfalls and vibrant wildflowers along the shoreline. While the scenery was beautiful with colorful wildflowers lining the banks of the small streams cascading into the lake, the lighting conditions nearing midday and the strong breeze that had picked up didn’t provide an opportunity to make any quality photographs of the small waterfalls and flowers.
Continuing on, a few minutes and about a quarter mile further up the trail, I reached King Lake. The pristine, turquoise water, framed to the west by the cirque’s vertical headwall on the Continental Divide and the brilliant blue sky above, was quite impressive. The trail continued upward, skirting the east side of the lake on its way up to Rollins Pass on the Continental Divide. Before enjoying some time at King Lake, I decided to climb the rest of the way to the top and take in the sweeping views. From atop Rollins Pass along the Divide I was able to travel a little further west down the rocky slope and take in the sweeping views looking out at the Winter Park ski resort and Corona Lake directly below me. Despite the breezy conditions at the summit, I was able to find a bit of shelter from the wind behind some of the larger rocks and composed this mountain landscape photograph that included both Corona Lake and the runs of Winter Park ski resort in the distance.
Descending back down to King Lake, I stopped several times to set up my camera and tripod to capture the striking view looking down on the lake and the surrounding mountains. I took multiple photos from various vantage points but the image of the lake below is my favorite and a quintessential Colorado mountain landscape photograph.
Reaching the shore, I couldn’t resist taking off my hiking boots and dipping my toes in the clear, chilly water before finding the perfect spot to enjoy a well-deserved lunch break. Perched on a rock overlooking King Lake, I savored my sandwich while soaking in the panoramic views. The tranquility and solitude of the setting and the warmth of the sun on my face made this moment truly special. It felt like a privilege to be so far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
As the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, I reluctantly tore myself away from the idyllic scene at King Lake. The hike back to the trailhead was just as rewarding as the ascent, offering different perspectives of the stunning landscape. The combination of alpine lakes, cascading creeks, and striking vistas make the hike to King Lake truly memorable and a must-do summer hike. So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your backpack, and embark on your own adventure to King Lake—it’s a trek you won’t soon forget.
