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Lost Creek Wilderness
4.9 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · Running trail in Bailey, Colorado · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 36 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Lost Creek Wilderness' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
National forest with a 136-mile trail network through tree-lined parks with granite domes & arches.
What runners say about Lost Creek Wilderness
“Despite the temperature going down to 28 degrees at night, it was beautiful!”
Amazing place for back country camping. Bring more water than you think you need. Do not expect to find any water on the east side of the mountain, all the streams were dry. Don’t attempt this hike if you are not acclimated. Overall I did 16 miles and 4,000ft elevation. That included slight detours and rock scrambling.
Amazing! So much fun, but man the loop is brutal! Don't miss the turn into the location; it's a little brown sign. We started at about 10am finishing the loop in 2 nights & less than 3 days. We went clockwise gaining altitude as we went. Did 12 miles the first day, camped in an alpine grove!
I have backpacked in the lost creek wildness and it was a great experience. I am not sure what trail we took, it was only a two night trip but the scenery was great we even found a secret cave with a waterfall at the back of our first campsite tucked behind a huge pile of boulders along the river.
This cabin is right on the Colorado Trail. I highly recommend staying here!!
Trail conditions & character
“Then hiked up some difficult switchbacks to reveal amazing views near the Bison mountain.”
“Our loop totaled about 32 miles, starting at the Spruce Grove Trailhead and Campground.”
“Overall I did 16 miles and 4,000ft elevation.”
“Recently took a trip to the Lost Creek Wilderness on a 3 day/2 night backpacking trip on the Lost Creek Wilderness loop.”
Plan your run at Lost Creek Wilderness
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance36 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone+1 719-836-2031
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–4:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–4:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–4:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–4:30 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–4:30 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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