Keep Kool Trail

Dogs Off-leash

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There is no official trailhead parking or signage for Keep Kool Butte at the bottom/exit of the trail. There is a one small sign at the top. The trail is seldomly used so it may be very overgrown and hard to navigate at times. It would be wise to have the route downloaded ahead of time because there is slim-to-no cell coverage in the area.

This trail can be used as a standard out-and-back or can be connected to Yellow Aster Butte and Tomyhoi Peak to make it a bigger loop instead. Some route finding experience is recommended as this trail is poorly marked, overgrown, and not traveled frequently by other hikers. There also may be a lot of downed trees and other deadfall early and late in the season.

The easiest and most enjoyable way to access Keep Kool Butte is from the Yellow Aster Butte / Tomyhoi Parking lot off of Twin Lakes rd. Start up the trail and stay on Yellow Aster Butte trail all the way until you reach the terminus where you can either make the final push to the summit of YAB. Keep following the signs for High Divide trail and meander across a lovely meadow that is often used for backpacking and camping in the summer. This would be an excellent time to filter some water if you need it because there are a ton of small tarns in this area. Some people will even swim in them. You'll see signs for "Keep Kool tr" follow those signs and be aware the trail can be pretty steep in some sections. Once you hit the bottom and get back to Twin Lakes road you'll have a bit of a road walk back to your vehicle if you parked in the Twin Lakes Rd trailhead.