King Lake is located 5.4 miles from Hessie Trailhead in a deep cirque basin just east of the Continental Divide. Together with Bob and Betty lakes it forms the headwaters of South Fork Middle Boulder Creek. The trail continues above King Lake to the Divide, where it joins the High Lonesome Trail near Rollins Pass in open tundra.

An ice tongue may extend into King Lake through mid-summer

King and the Bob and Betty lakes form the headwaters of South Fork Middle Boulder Creek

The King Lake Trail climbs 225' up the south cirque wall to the High Lonesome Trail on the Continental Divide

Columbine are notoriously hardy, and can survive in soil that is little more than crushed granite

The alpine tundra growing season can range from several months to just a few weeks

The unmarked access spur leads to open shore on King Lake

A few steps south on the High Lonesome Trail reveals Mount Epworth and Pumphouse Lake

The King Lake Trail crosses an oft-heavy flowing stream at the Bob and Betty Lakes Trail split

Lichens help break down rocks into particles that form tundra soil beds

The High Lonesome Trail is accessible from King Lake and runs atop the Continental Divide

A few steps south on the High Lonesome Trail reveals views of Mount Epworth (11,843')

Lichens need only a rock, sunlight, and some water every few years to survive

The steep headwall of the KIng Lake cirque is a typical feature of glacially carved valleys

Alpine grasses and sedges take hold where tundra soil is well-developed

An unmarked spur near King Lake leads off the main trail to this scenic alpine pond