Lost Lake via Hessie Trail Sounds Scary, but It’s One of the Best Hikes in Colorado

You know what they say: Don’t judge a book by its cover. In our nature-loving world, though, we like to frame it as: Don’t judge a hike by its name. After all, Colorado’s Lost Lake via Hessie Trail might evoke fears of getting stranded in the wilderness, but the moderate 4.2-mile hike is so satisfying that you’ll want to trek out and back again and again. Keep reading to learn why this not-so-scary hiking trail in Colorado is a must. 

Why Is It Called Lost Lake?

Lost Lake via Hessie Trail is located in the Roosevelt National Forest near Eldora, Colorado. Situated at the end of a long, winding road in a desolate residential area, the secluded Hessie Trailhead can be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Because of that, the alpine lake hidden two miles up the mountain earned the name Lost Lake. 

Truth be told, the only reason I happened upon Lost Lake via Hessie Trail was that I had been browsing my AllTrails app in search of my next dog-friendly adventure, and as soon as I saw the metrics and scenery, I told my fiancé we’d be getting up early the next day to check it out. And boy am I glad we did. 

What the Hike Is Actually Like

Being from Northern Virginia, the land of Shenandoah National Park and a seemingly never-ending canopy, my fiancé and I love shaded trails and waterfalls, but they can be harder to find here in Colorado. That’s why as soon as I caught a glimpse of the dense forest, sparkling streams, and full-on falls on AllTrails, Lost Lake via Hessie Trail drew me in. 

Logistically, this scenic out-and-back hiking trail is 4.2 miles long with an elevation gain of 833 feet. Because you’re starting at around 9,000 feet elevation, however, it can feel a bit more strenuous on the ol’ lungs, which is largely why this hike is dubbed moderate from a difficulty perspective. Still, in total, it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to hike the whole thing if you’re trekking up to the lake, turning around, and heading back down the mountain. Trust me though, you’re going to want to spend much longer than a couple hours at this gorgeous Colorado hiking destination. 

As serene as Lost Lake is—with its various large rocks for sunbathing, shaded clearings for picnics, reservable hike-in campsites, and the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the distance (even on an 80-degree day)—the real stars of Hessie Trail are the North and South Forks of Middle Boulder Creek, which flow along almost the entire trail. As refreshing as it is to hike along the rushing waters, it’s even better to sit on one of the rocks and stare at the South Fork as it tumbles down the steep decline roughly half a mile up the trail. That’s right, Lost Lake via Hessie Trail is, in fact, a waterfall hike. 

When my fiancé and I explored the trail, we hung out on the rocks by the falls for a few minutes before continuing on to Lost Lake; and on the hike down, we stopped and relaxed with our bare feet in the water for a solid 20 minutes. While there, our dogs enjoyed the crisp current, as did fellow hikers, two of whom hopped across the rushing water to an exposed rock and calm pool in the middle of the falls for a next-level picnic and natural cold plunge. Suffice to say, we can’t wait to go back and do just that. 

What to Know Before You Go

The Hessie Trailhead is located near Eldora off of County Road 130. It’s a hidden hiking trail with minimal on-site parking, but thankfully there is a free shuttle that departs from Nederland High School on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from late May through early October, with shuttles running every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 to 8 p.m., depending on the day. The shuttle takes about 10 minutes, and then the adventure begins.  

Some important things to keep in mind:

• Dogs are permitted on leash. 
• There are porta-potties at Nederland High School and the Hessie Trailhead, but not throughout the park. Plan accordingly—and pack some toilet paper because they run out, and I was happy to have some on hand. 
• The Hessie Trail is heavily trafficked (though it doesn’t feel crowded), but moose sightings remain common. As such, it’s wise to brush up on wildlife safety protocols and bring a whistle and bear spray along for the adventure. 
• Snow can occur even during summer at this elevation. Peep the weather conditions before heading out. 
• Hessie Trail starts across a long, dry, rocky creek bed that can be menacing on the ankles. Wear appropriate footwear. 
• As shaded as Hessie Trail is, you still feel the sun. Don’t forget SPF!

Is Lost Lake via Hessie Trail Worth Hiking?

After hiking Lost Lake via Hessie Trail, my fiancé and I agreed that it’s not only one of the best hikes in Colorado, but it’s our personal top pick. Between the towering trees, vast scenic overlooks, and mesmerizing falls, we could have easily spent the entire day just soaking it in. Instead, we headed back down the mountain and stopped off in the charming small town of Nederland for a post-hike lunch. Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery specializes in house-smoked meats and allows pups to join on the patio.