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
Canadian Geese
Trail Information
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.
Directions
From Bailey:
Drive east on U. S. Highway 285 to Pine Junction. Turn right (south) at Pine Junction onto Jefferson County Road 1 26 towards Pine and Buffalo Creek. Drive on County Road 126 a distance of 21.8 miles. Turn right (south) onto Forest Road 211 that leads to Cheesman Lake. After 2 miles turn right again (west at the sign pointing to Goose Creek. Drive 1.1 miles in westerly direction until you reach a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork and stay on Forest Road 21 1. From this fork drive 5.2 miles to a road intersection just south of Molly Gulch Campground. Turn right and drive 4.7 miles to the Goose Creek Trailhead access road. About half way along this segment you will pass Goose Creek Campground. At the trailhead access sign turn right (north) and drive 1.3 miles to the trailhead parking.
