Lost Lake
Activity: HikeDifficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Distance: 2.8 miles
Location: Hessie Trailhead, Eldora
Description:
If you drive through Nederland and on to Eldora you will soon reach Hessie Trailhead. Lost Lake is a busy trail, so parking is hard to get. Show up extra early or just a little late and pick up the parking spot of a hiker/runner who has already finnished the trail. Parking is only along one side of the road and seemingly the end of the lot is at the port-a-potties. You can continue driving up to the right 1.1 miles for the next parking area or you can brave the creek bed road on the left. If you have enough guts to get past the first road boulder it's pretty clear after that. We saw several Subarus at the next few parking areas. The full size truck had a little trouble getting around the boulder but he did make it.
Hike on the road to get to the actual trailhead. Once we reached the trailhead we reviewed the posted map. It appears that you take the first left turn to get up to Lost Lake, however, that trail takes you to a nice waterfall. Instead, continue straight on the Lost Lake Trail. When you need to turn for the lake there is a sign. The trail is steep and rocky. The majority of the hike is on a wide, rocky trail, shaded by evergreens. There are quite a few people on the trail and it seems to be popular for dogs, too.
The lake is beautiful and has several campsites. There were quite a few people hanging around and enjoying the view. The trail goes all the way around the lake, although we chose to snap a photo and head back down pretty quickly.
Our 3 year old had fun making snowballs from some snow that had fallen earlier in the week. Gennerally, this is a seemingly long, unending hike going up the steep trail but coming down was rather quick. I wore running shoes on this hike but would choose hiking boots to do it again.
