Backpacking Lost Creek Wilderness

[JWood303]

Hey guys!

Just was curious about conditions in LCW. I am planning on doing a backpacking trip May 31st though June 3rd. It is a 23 mile loop that connects the Wigwam Trail, Goose Creek Trail, and the Brookside/McCurdy Trail. I plan on taking Highway 285 to Lost Park Rd and starting the loop at the Lost Park Trailhead. Just would like some reports or pointers for this trip!

ALSO!

I am wondering about the Rolling Creek Trailhead and Colorado Trail segment #4. I think I am going to Start at Rolling Creek and do a loop.

[Cruiser]

Thurs gives a good current conditions report for part of your proposed route in this thread.

[JWood303]

Thurs was helpful for sure. I hoping to hear about some more reports before I dedicate to that loop.

[rbro27]

We hiked about 6 miles in from the goose creek trailhead past the intersection of wigwam trail on May 21st and didn't have any issues. There looked to be a little snow up higher but not what I expected. By then you should be totally fine. We did see a few groups headed toward refrigerator with multi-day gear and they were planning on doing the whole loop. Good luck.

[tylernettestad]

I will also be there from May 31 - June 2. It will be my first time backpacking so the snow worries me a little.

I'll be traveling from Boulder. I am wondering what trailhead is the easiest and quickest to access right now?

[CO Native]

I finished the first 5 segments of the Colorado Trail a little over a week ago (July 10-15). There was a lot of snow on the north faces above 9800 feet. We broke the trail though so that part will be a whole lot easier. South faces are pretty clear unless the trees are really thick.

I did a video of our trip. It's about half an hour long


Segment 4 starts at 17:40 so you can skip to there.

There are new owners of a house right by the start of segment 4. They are interested in helping CT hikers. Stop and say hi if you see them.

[jibler]

Hey here's a question --- are there a lot of car camping spots along the Tarryall Road -- near the Twin Eagles Trailhead?

I ask because the one time I went down that road -- not super far --- it seemed like there were a lot of ranches (and fences!) all along the road

but I've gotten the impression that it gets more woodsy further in there??

I'm thinking of just banging up to McCurdy and maybe Bison sans excess gear -- make the whole thing a simple one nighter


sorry for thread hijack -- your thoughts appreciated.

[jibler]

I finished the first 5 segments of the Colorado Trail a little over a week ago (July 10-15). There was a lot of snow on the north faces above 9800 feet. We broke the trail though so that part will be a whole lot easier. South faces are pretty clear unless the trees are really thick.

I did a video of our trip. It's about half an hour long


Segment 4 starts at 17:40 so you can skip to there.

There are new owners of a house right by the start of segment 4. They are interested in helping CT hikers. Stop and say hi if you see them.

Also -- love the background music for this video!

[AlexMack]

Fun video, thanks a ton for that share! Definitely the highlight of my workday so far. We did a short overnighter from the beginning of segment 4 last weekend, just about to where the snow supposedly starts up. We were thinking about doing another overnighter in a few days on either one of the ends of segment 5 or the end of segment 4, if anyone has any current beta on these sections it'd be much appreciated!

[jibler]

Also -- does anyone have a notion of just where this Refrigerator Gulch is?

I take it its on the East Side of McCurdy? I had never heard of it before this week -- some of those grottos look pretty cool!

[Derek]

Also -- does anyone have a notion of just where this Refrigerator Gulch is?

I take it its on the East Side of McCurdy? I had never heard of it before this week -- some of those grottos look pretty cool!

Go north from McCurdy Park on the McCurdy Park trail, it will angle east and go to Fridge. If picturing the popular "Goose Creek Loop" as a circle, refrigerator gulch is at the 12 o'clock.

One of my old (OLD) trip reports of the full loop with a couple maps.
http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=8128

Hey here's a question --- are there a lot of car camping spots along the Tarryall Road -- near the Twin Eagles Trailhead?

I ask because the one time I went down that road -- not super far --- it seemed like there were a lot of ranches (and fences!) all along the road

but I've gotten the impression that it gets more woodsy further in there??

I'm thinking of just banging up to McCurdy and maybe Bison sans excess gear -- make the whole thing a simple one nighter

First, you can day trip McCurdy and Bison if you didnt want to overnight. Decently big day, but nothing too crazy.

Off Tarryall, I know once off the main road there is plenty of public land...thinking specifically north of the puma hills/packer gulch area. (West of CO77.) I've camped across the road from Ute Creek TH before (and seen others do it too) without issue. Watch for signs, but generally once south of Tarryall reservoir and off the main road (on FS roads) theres a good amount of public land. View cal topo and you can get a gauge of the private land.

My top recommendation is to pack up to McCurdy Park if you have the time. One of my favorite spots to camp.


-D

[jibler]

Also -- does anyone have a notion of just where this Refrigerator Gulch is?

I take it its on the East Side of McCurdy? I had never heard of it before this week -- some of those grottos look pretty cool!

Go north from McCurdy Park on the McCurdy Park trail, it will angle east and go to Fridge. If picturing the popular "Goose Creek Loop" as a circle, refrigerator gulch is at the 12 o'clock.

One of my old (OLD) trip reports of the full loop with a couple maps.
http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=8128

Hey here's a question --- are there a lot of car camping spots along the Tarryall Road -- near the Twin Eagles Trailhead?

I ask because the one time I went down that road -- not super far --- it seemed like there were a lot of ranches (and fences!) all along the road

but I've gotten the impression that it gets more woodsy further in there??

I'm thinking of just banging up to McCurdy and maybe Bison sans excess gear -- make the whole thing a simple one nighter

First, you can day trip McCurdy and Bison if you didnt want to overnight. Decently big day, but nothing too crazy.

Off Tarryall, I know once off the main road there is plenty of public land...thinking specifically north of the puma hills/packer gulch area. (West of CO77.) I've camped across the road from Ute Creek TH before (and seen others do it too) without issue. Watch for signs, but generally once south of Tarryall reservoir and off the main road (on FS roads) theres a good amount of public land. View cal topo and you can get a gauge of the private land.

My top recommendation is to pack up to McCurdy Park if you have the time. One of my favorite spots to camp.


-D

word -- thanks for info -- now I'm beginning to think I may hit up Eagle Rock or Observatory Rock the night before??

I had never seen these maps that the forest service is now finally distributing for free!?

http://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rasterg ... egionID=r2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

pretty cool stuff