State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length, One-Way: 8 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 12000 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Usage: Moderate
Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat Springs Co.
Trail Information
The Rich Creek Trail provides access into the Buffalo Creek Wilderness Area. Mountain bikes and mechanized equipment are not allowed.
This is a great trail for planning a backpacking outing. Following Rich Creek to Buffalo Meadows and returning via the Rough and Tumbling Creek Trail is an excellent 11 mile loop. Side trips to Buffalo Peaks and nearby fishing becomes a single track (#618, Salt Creek Trail) to its intersection with the Tumbling Creek Trail (#617).
In general, the terrain around Buffalo Peaks is only moderately rugged. Cross-country travel off the trails is not difficult, even to the tops of the peaks.
Directions
Access to Rich Creek Trail is off of County Road 22 (Weston Pass Road). The Rich Creek Trailhead is located at the forest boundary. Parking is available here. Cross stream (South fork of the South Platte River) on a footbridge, turn right, follow trail leading upstream.
