River Rafting Denver CO

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 9.6 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8200 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10140 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Goose Creek Trail is a very popular trail providing access into the southeast portion of the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. The trail is 9.6 miles long and ends in Wigwam Park at a junction with the Wigwam Trail #609. The Goose Creek Trail offers numerous campsite areas, fishing in Goose Creek and vistas of spectacular rock formations. At mile 3.9 there is a side trail leading to several historic buildings and the remains of a shaft house. These historic sites date back to the early 1900's when an attempt was made to build a water reservoir by creating an underground dam on the Lost Creek. From the trailhead sign near the parking area, follow a short spur trail for 0.2 miles down to a wooden foot bridge across a small stream. Just across this foot bridge is a trail junction. At this junction, the Hankins Pass Trail #630 heads left (west) and Goose Creek Trail #612 heads right (east). At mile 0.6 you will reach a large metal foot- bridge that crosses Goose Creek. Ten minutes past this bridge you will come to open, grassy areas suitable for camping. There are also numerous campsites on the opposite side of Goose Creek. To reach these campsites return to the metal bridge and follow the path along the opposite side of Goose Creek. Approximately 20 minutes past the metal bridge you will reach an unmarked fork in the is a small path leading down to the trail follows the right fork up the hill. the trail begins to gain elevation. 8 minutes past the fork look to the northwest and locate a ‘thumb-like, rock spire up high -on the rock formation. Just to the right of “the thumb’ you will see an arch in the rocks. At mile 3.9, a sign marks the turn off to the historic buildings and shaft house remains. At this point the trail begins to gain elevation rapidly before dropping down into Watkins Gulch. The trail then begins to head up again in a general northwest direction. reaching the McCurdy Park Trail junction at Mile 6.5. The Goose Creek Trail continues straight ahead (north) up to a saddle east of Peak 10459 before dropping down into Wigwam Park. -The distance from the junction to Wigwam Park is 3.1 miles and the elevation gain to the saddle is slightly over 700 feet above the junction. The McCurdy Park Trail #628 heads left (west) from this junction.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 8.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8200 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8960 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Hankins Pass Trail is the southernmost trail in the Lost Creek Wilderness. From the east, the trail gives the hiker a gradually rising climb up Hankins Gulch through dense forest to pleasant open meadows and aspen groves. From the junction with the Lake Park Trail at the top of Hankins Pass, the trail drops down the west side of the Tarryall Mountains to a junction with the Lizard Rock Trail coming up from the Spruce grove Trailhead and then continues to descend to meet the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. The trail is easy to follow and heads in a general westerly direction. There are horse corrals near the Goose Creek Trailhead that are available for public use. There are a number of campsites between the trailhead and Hankins Pass. However, there are few areas suitable for camping west of the pass due to the steep gradient of the trail. Because the trail is entirely in designated wilderness, Wilderness regulations apply. From the Goose Creek Trailhead, hike downhill to a footbridge across Hankins Gulch. Just across the creek the Hankins Pass Trail heads west, while the Goose Creek Trail goes east (right). Climbing at first up through a forested valley, the trail eventually reaches a series of open meadows surrounded by aspen groves. The trail from here to the pass is very gorgeous in late September when the aspen leaves are changing color. At the top of Hankins Pass is a junction with the Lake Park Trail. That trail heads north (right) toward Lake Park, while the Hankins Pass Trail begins it’s descent to the west. The grade on the west side of the pass is quite a bit steeper than the gradual rise up to the pass from the east. After a short descent, the trail reaches the wilderness boundary and the junction with the Lizard Rock Trail. The Lizard Rock Trail leads south to the Spruce Grove Campground, while the Hankins Pass Trail continues down in a northwesterly direction to its end at the junction with the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. If you head south from this junction on Brookside-McCurdy Trail you will reach the Twin Eagles Trailhead.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 6.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11505 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: This trail offers a variety of scenery in its passage to the Continental Divide. The trail follows the creek with several beaver ponds located along the way. A small shelter is located 6 miles up the trail.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 2 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9500 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10800 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Gourd Lake Trail is a short, but very steep trail that is accessed from the Buchanan Pass Trail. The trail is about 4 miles west of Buchanan Pass. Gourd Lake is a popular destination among hikers and backpackers due to its beautiful setting. Framed by 12,000-plus foot peaks, this treeline lake is available for overnight use, but please remember that campfires are prohibited here. When the snow falls, the Gourd Lake Trail becomes the domain of snowshoers.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 3.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 11000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 12000 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Light

Description: The French Pass Trail provides access to the Continental Divide, Black Powder Pass and the Boreas Pass Road (via the Continental Divide). This trail is not always easy to follow and is not well signed. For much of its distance, the trail follows a double rut wagon road, cut by later pioneers who followed French Pete’s Trail before better crossings were found. The view to the south as the hiker returns down the trail is across South Park to the Tarryall Mountains. This trail is not recommended for winter use due to the high avalanche potential.