[rippling over canyons]

Hi, can someone help me with some trail information around Creede? I planning on riding some more sections of the Colorado Trail in August. I have the official guidebook and a Rio Grande National Forest map. Two possibilities look interesting:

1) Riding around Pole Creek mountain (Just West of Rio Grande Reservoir) by ascending Pole Creek Trail up to the Colorado Trail, then descending Lost Trail Creek Trail (? #821). The ridgeline is 13,000 feet!

2) Ascend Willow Creek from Creede up to the Colorado Trail, head westerly, then descend Miners Creek.

If anyone has any information in regards to feasibilty and other possibilities, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BetweenTrees]

I lived in Lake city last summer. (about 50 miles north of creede) I never did any single track over there. I herar it is really easy to grt lost in that area. I was always by myself. If you are looking for killer views there is a 62 mile long fire road type ride with single track in all directions out of lake city. its the alpine loop, google image search "engineer pass" and take a look at that......creede is much fun though.

 

[canyoncreek]

Hi, can someone help me with some trail information around Creede? I planning on riding some more sections of the Colorado Trail in August. I have the official guidebook and a Rio Grande National Forest map. Two possibilities look interesting:

1) Riding around Pole Creek mountain (Just West of Rio Grande Reservoir) by ascending Pole Creek Trail up to the Colorado Trail, then descending Lost Trail Creek Trail (? #821). The ridgeline is 13,000 feet!

2) Ascend Willow Creek from Creede up to the Colorado Trail, head westerly, then descend Miners Creek.

If anyone has any information in regards to feasibilty and other possibilities, it would be greatly appreciated.

I backpacked the trails in your route #1. Its been a few years, & since I was on foot I can't remember exactly how I thought it would ride, but while walking through I remember thinking I should seriously consider bringing my bike out for a good loop.

Going up Pole Creek trail would be mostly hike-a-bike. The jeep road that leads to pole creek trail does not gain any elevation overall, but would be very brutal as it is constantly 500' up, then 500' down, and very steep in most places.

I think your best option would be to start out by going up lost creek trail, then do a loop by coming down a trail that I believe is West lost creek, or something like that. The high point of this connects you to the Colorado trail, and when at the hight point, you can do a short out and back on Colorado Trail to reach the 13,000' area you were talking about. This spot is incredibly scenic, & is definitely worth the extra effort to see it. Or you could reverse the loop & come down Lost creek trail, as it seemed like a great downhill.

I backpacked through their with my wife, and we spent 4 days taking our time & fishing alot, & did not see anyone until day 4 when we were descending Pole Creek. So chances are you will have the area to yourself, with the exception of the several thousand Elk that we saw. If you do it, post how it went. Enjoy!!

 

[rippling over canyons]

Going up Pole Creek trail would be mostly hike-a-bike. The jeep road that leads to pole creek trail does not gain any elevation overall, but would be very brutal as it is constantly 500' up, then 500' down, and very steep in most places.

I think your best option would be to start out by going up lost creek trail, then do a loop by coming down a trail that I believe is West lost creek, or something like that.

Thanks for the information, Canyoncreek. Looking at my guidebook and forest map, there are 5 streams that run into the Rio Grande from the reservoir to the start of Pole Creek Trail, so, that implies the 500 feet up, 500 feet down that you mentioned. So, it looks like I'll try going up Lost Creek Trail to either its continuation or West Lost Creek to get me up the ridge (Colorado Trail). I guess I'll try to get some topographic maps to determine which one would be better to ascend. Either way, there is serious climbing involved: the reservoir is 9,500' and the ridge is 13,000'; all in about 8 miles of distance. I could just do an out-and-back along the Colorado Trail, starting at Spring Creek Pass. This route seems funner, and I won't be up on the exposed ridge for prolonged periods.

Thanks again for the information. I'll post any decent pictures when I return in late August!

 

[imtnbke]

Hi, can someone help me with some trail information around Creede? I planning on riding some more sections of the Colorado Trail in August. I have the official guidebook and a Rio Grande National Forest map. Two possibilities look interesting:

1) Riding around Pole Creek mountain (Just West of Rio Grande Reservoir) by ascending Pole Creek Trail up to the Colorado Trail, then descending Lost Trail Creek Trail (? #821). The ridgeline is 13,000 feet!

2) Ascend Willow Creek from Creede up to the Colorado Trail, head westerly, then descend Miners Creek.

If anyone has any information in regards to feasibilty and other possibilities, it would be greatly appreciated.

Rippling Over Canyons,

Hi. I stumbled across your inquiry yesterday. Coincidentally, those are the two routes I want to check out this summer when I come out from California and stay near Lake City. I'm assuming that number two consists of riding up the Forest Service road from its junction with Hwy 149 to Willow Creek Trail, up that to Snow Mesa, then across Snow Mesa back down to Spring Creek Pass and Hwy 149 again. Did you ever do either ride? If so, how was it or were they? Any information is most welcome. Thanks!

 

[rippling over canyons]

I ended up doing an out-and-back on Lost Creek Trail to West Lost Creek Trail. I made up to the basin before the final push to the ridge and turned around and came back the same way. Lost Creek is ATV legal and wider than West Lost Creek, so it was quite hideous in the mud. There was a huge storm the night before, so I changed my intended loop of Lost Creek to the Colorado trail to West Lost creek and just did the out-and-back.

My research was faulty on route number 2. It enters a portion of La Garita wilderness, so it is not a legal route.

Last year I did an out-and-back on the Colorado trail starting at Spring Creek pass. That was pretty fun and most scenic. Some day, I intend on doing a shuttle from Spring Creek pass all the way to West Lost trail, then down!

This area is really remote and storms are a daily event, so plan accordingly.

rippling

 

[imtnbke]

Thanks, Rippling! That sounds exciting. Remote is what I want. I worship the Monarch Crest Trail, but the last time I rode it it was so crowded that I felt like I was on the San Diego Freeway (I-405 in Los Angeles). When I get there I'll be hoping that it'll be fairly dry and that the snow will have mostly melted at the higher elevations.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Thanks, Rippling! That sounds exciting. Remote is what I want. I worship the Monarch Crest Trail, but the last time I rode it it was so crowded that I felt like I was on the San Diego Freeway (I-405 in Los Angeles). When I get there I'll be hoping that it'll be fairly dry and that the snow will have mostly melted at the higher elevations.

Let me guess - you rode it on a weekend?

 

[imtnbke]

Let me guess - you rode it on a weekend?

Yeah, for the first time ever, and the last. I'd always ridden it on weekdays before and seen maybe one or two other people. Never again will I do it on a sunny weekend day in July.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Yeah, for the first time ever, and the last. I'd always ridden it on weekdays before and seen maybe one or two other people. Never again will I do it on a sunny weekend day in July.

Sounds like you learned your lesson! :thumbsup:

You *can* ride it on a w/e in the summer with solitude if you start EARLY.

 

[rippling over canyons]

Here's a picture of West Lost Creek trail, looking up towards the Colorado trail.

 

[imtnbke]

That looks beautiful. I can't wait! (Actually, yes I can, because I bet parts are still under snow.)

 

[gunnirider]

Snow Mesa

This should be worth checking out...

 

[SkaredShtles]

Ahhh... Snow Mesa rules. :thumbsup: All you're likely to see up there are herds of sheep and maybe a shepherd...

 

[imtnbke]

That looks spectacular, better than I could have imagined. I'll be in Gunnison for almost three weeks so I should be able to find a clear, rain-free day to ride it. Most exciting! I assume one rides up Willow Creek Trail to reach it from the east side. Please let me know if that's not the right route.

 

[recycle127]

I was living in Creede last summer, amazing place! I know of some trails in the area. More double track than single. I am a dher but i can put you on some trails. I need to look at my maps when i get home from work today. Lake City is awesome too! Both are real remote. Stop in at Tommy Knockers