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Recreation Region: South Platte Ranger District

Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607

Starting from the Payne Creek/Brookside Trailhead, the trail rises gently and soon reaches the junction where the Payne Creek and Brookside-McCurdy trails diverge. The Payne Creek Trail goes left and then swings southeast on its way to join the Colorado Trail. The Brookside-McCurdy Trail continues south, climbing gradually at first and then steepening as it climbs the Platte River Range. After crossing the boundary of the Lost Creek Wilderness, the trail eventually meets the Brookside AG Trail, which rises up from the west after leaving MacArthur Gulch. Check with the South Platte Ranger District office for current information regarding the Brookside AG Trail. From the junction, the Brookside AG Trail continues to climb up and over into Craig Park, where it intersects with the Craig Park Trail.

The next segment rises south out of Craig Park over a saddle and then descends into North Lost Park, where it leaves the wilderness and joins the Colorado Trail. A couple of miles down valley from this junction, the North Fork Trailhead is reached, where the two trails part. The Colorado Trail runs east and north to the Rolling Creek Trailhead on the northeast side of the wilderness, and the Brookside-McCurdy veers south, following North Lost Creek to the Lost Park Trailhead.

From Lost Park, the trail goes south across Lost Creek to a junction with the Wigwam Trail. The Wigwam Trail goes left (east) through the wilderness to the east side at the Wigwam Trailhead. The Brookside-McCurdy continues south and soon re-enters the wilderness, then follows Indian Creek upstream to a high saddle between the Lost Creek and Tarryall Creek drainages, where it meets the Ute Creek Trail climbing up from the south. Here, the trail swings southeast, continuing to climb for a short distance to its high point on the southwest shoulder of Bison Peak. From the high point, the trail follows a ridge to the southeast through the remnants of an old burn. This stretch has tremendous views to the south and west, particularly in the fall, but be aware of your exposure to lightening from summer afternoon storms. The trail eventually drops down to the pass at the south end of McCurdy Park and meets the McCurdy Park Trail, coming up from the north.

The last segment of the Brookside-McCurdy Trail descends a short distance to the Lake Park Trail junction. The Lake Park Trail rises to the east and then drops south to Hankins Pass. The Brookside-McCurdy drops steeply south, leaving the wilderness, to a junction with the Hankins Pass Trail, which extends east toward the Goose Creek Trailhead. One last gentle downhill leg brings you out at the Twin Eagles Trailhead.

Connecting trails:

Payne Creek Trail
Ute Creek Trail 
Brookside AG Trail 
McCurdy Park Trail (area is unavailable)
Craig Park Trail
Lake Park Trail
Colorado Trail (Segment 4)
Hankins Pass Trail
Wigwam Trail

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

607

General Information

The Brookside-McCurdy Trail is the major north-south artery through the middle portion of the Lost Creek Wilderness. Its northern end is the Payne Creek/Brookside Trailhead near Bailey, and its southern end is the Twin Eagles Trailhead, southeast of the Tarryall Reservoir. About midway between these two trailheads, the Brookside-McCurdy Trail passes through the Lost Park Trailhead. Along the way, it connects with nine other trails, providing numerous opportunities to create loop trips of various lengths. Throughout its length, this trail presents the hiker with a wide variety of the different landscapes found in the Lost Creek Wilderness, including different forest types, wide-open parks, wild formations of red Pikes Peak granite and the tremendous views found along the ridge between Bison Peak and McCurdy Park. Deer, elk and bighorn sheep are some of the wildlife that can be seen along the trail. Because the trail is almost entirely in designated wilderness, wilderness regulations apply.

 

Open year-round; however, weather may make access difficult especially in the winter and spring months.

There is a mandatory self-issued permit system in the Mount Evans Wilderness and Lost Creek Wilderness areas to enable us to better manage visitation. The same type of system is also in place in other wilderness areas. The intent is to use the data obtained through the permit system to more accurately assess the amounts and types of existing wilderness use. This enables us to better preserve their natural condition for future generations, balanced against the pressures of growing populations and increased use. These permits have no quotas associated with them, nor are there any fees required to obtain them. They are available free at each trailhead. As you enter the wilderness, fill out the provided permit and deposit the stub in the slot in the lower front of the register box. Keep the permit in your possession and please follow the wilderness regulations found on the back.

No

The following regulations restrictions apply to the Lost Creek Wilderness:

  • No motorized equipment (chainsaws, drills, etc.) or mechanized transportation (bicycles, wagons, etc.) is permitted.
  • No landing or dropping of supplies by aircraft (including parasails) is permitted.
  • Group size is limited to 15 persons and/or 10 pack or saddle animals in any one party.
  • Dogs must be leashed.
  • Camp at least 100 feet from lakes, streams or trails.
  • Campfires must also be at least 100 feet from lakes, streams or trails.
  • Hobble, tie or tether any pack or saddle animals at least 100 feet from lakes, streams or trails.
  • All livestock feed must be processed and weed free.
  • Do not cut switchbacks.
  • Pack it in; pack it out.
  • Practice Leave No Trace principles.

Getting There

Directions

From U.S. Highway 285 in Bailey, go south across the South Platte River on County Road 64. After 0.45 miles, take a left at the split in the road. Go 2.2 miles to the trailhead on the left (south) side of the road.

Additional Information

Operated By

South Platte Ranger District

Recreation Opportunities

Day Hikes Info

The Brookside-McCurdy Trailhead is the starting point for the Payne Creek Trail and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. It is also one access point for the Craig Creek Trail off of the Brookside-McCurdy Trail.

Backpacking Info

The Brookside-McCurdy Trailhead is the starting point for the Payne Creek Trail and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. It is also one access point for the Craig Creek trail off of the Brookside-McCurdy Trail.

Horseback Riding Info

The Brookside-McCurdy Trailhead is the starting point for the Payne Creek Trail and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. It also is one access point for the Craig Creek Trail off of the Brookside-McCurdy Trail.

Last updated June 20, 2025