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Lost Creek Wilderness Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (56)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. …Park County
  5. Lost Creek Wilderness
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“A divine hike through massive granite formations, splendid meadows, and lush forest. ”

Kevin Silvernale
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Map Key

29.2

Miles

47.0

KM

Loop

10,890' 3,319 m

High

8,078' 2,462 m

Low

6,156' 1,876 m

Up

6,156' 1,876 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A self-issued permit (found at the trailhead) is required, however there is no permit quota or fee.

Overview

This route goes through a wilderness within a 100 mile radius of approximately 2 million people, yet I rarely see anyone here except near the Goose Creek Trailhead. It doesn't provide the views one gets in the Sawatch Range or around other 14'ers, but it provides a splendor and intimacy lost in those environments. I find Lost Creek Wilderness to be a place that just embraces me. I hope you find it treats you as well.

Need to Know

Around mile 12.0, you'll need to navigate a creek crossing with ropes to help cross a log. This is easy to cross on foot as well (it's not deep or fast moving).

The trails utilized by this hike are managed by Pike National Forest—South Park Ranger District and South Platte Ranger District.

Description

After driving 28 miles on Hwy 77 from Jefferson, CO, the Lost Creek Trailhead will be on the left side of the road sharing the same space as the Spruce Grove Campground. After hiking through the campground itself, this gentle giant starts by crossing Terryall Creek via a nice footbridge where the Lizard Rock Trail #628 begins. Cross the footbridge and immediately turn left at the large boulder. The signage is confusing, and there are unmarked trails and campsites going roughly the same direction.

The first couple miles consist of a gentle incline, providing views of the open meadows littered with aspens, massive granite rocks, and the Terryall Creek Valley below. At mile 2.4, there is a small side trail leading to Lizard Rock, a large campsite (with no water nearby) and the trail junction where the 20+ mile loop begins.

Staying left, the Brookside McCurdy Trail #628 leads back down near the valley floor, then back up to this trail's high-point (approximately 10,900 ft). The incline and decline are very similar in grade, but once over the top, the trail is littered with countless views of massive rocks towering over the boulder-filled valley. Expect to stop frequently.

Between mile 10 and 16, there are lots of campsites, water, and views. Perfect for calling it a day early and doing a bit of exploring, or taking an hour or two to enjoy the views during lunch, this is the area that could be considered the most scenic. Though every bit of this trail holds its own scenic value.

This loop trail veers to the right around the 11 mile mark. At about mile 14.4, the loop turns into the Goose Creek Trail #612. If you are planning on setting up camp in early spring or late fall, expect most of the campsites after this point to be fairly chilly at night, as they are placed down in gulches or the valley below (cold air settles).

At mile 20.6, the Goose Creek Trail #612 leads off to the left. For this loop, continue straight (or stay right) on the Hankins Pass Trail #630, a similar grade as the climbs between mile 0-7. Be prepared for minimal campsite locations, but plenty of water until about a mile before Hankins Pass.

After reaching Hankins Pass at mile 24.6, it is about 1 mile back to the trail junction of the Lizard Rock Trail #628 leading back to the Spruce Grove Campground and Lost Creek Trail Parking Lot.

Map Symbol Information: The majority of campsites along this trail have a good water source within 0.25 miles. Those that don't are noted to be "Dry Campsites". The difference between campsite sizes will be noted with a number between 1-5+, indicating approximately how many tents each site could hold.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pike National Forest - South Platte Ranger District

Shared By:

Kevin Silvernale with improvements by Phil Elser
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 56 votes

#1

in Lost Creek Wilderness

#141

Overall
  4.5 from 56 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Lost Creek Wilderness

#42

in Colorado

#141

Overall
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70,456 Since Aug 15, 2015
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Photos

A small outcropping gives an incredible view of the unique rock formations of the Lost Creek Wilderness.
Apr 24, 2017 near Pine, CO
Picture from the tent in a perfect camp spot in Reservoir Gulch.
Apr 24, 2017 near Bailey, CO
Some of the rock formations in Lost Creek Wilderness
Sep 6, 2018 near Bailey, CO
Goose Creek crossing
Sep 6, 2018 near Pine, CO
More unique rock formations that can be seen from the Goose Creek Trail.
Apr 24, 2017 near Pine, CO
Looking back at Bison Peak.
Jul 8, 2020 near Deckers, CO

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Weather

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Check-Ins

Jun 21, 2024
Chris Gerber
Loop is in good shape, all crossings are easy now. The 'big' crossing of Lost Creek is about knee deep. 25mi
Jun 5, 2024
Kristen Campbell
started from spruce creek campground and were turned back by Lost Creek- possibly chest deep and running fast.rerouted up the Lake Park trail-
Sep 2, 2023
Jessey Hershberger-Kirk
Going clockwise easier 30mi
Apr 9, 2023
Quentin Cui
Did the whole 30-mile loop this weekend. Very scenic, but definitely need snowshoes if you're planning to do the entire loop (I was postholing a lot).
Jun 23, 2022
Eric Knierim
29.2mi
Aug 28, 2021
Shelby Ireland
4h 25m
Aug 19, 2021
Robert Cohen
Jul 29, 2021
Mallory Moskowitz
The Loop was beautiful, but some water sources were DRY. Not too crowded, we camped by ourselves each night.

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