Goose Creek Trail #612
Goose Creek Trail #612 provides access into the southeast portion of the Lost Creek Wilderness. The trail winds north and eventually ends in Wigwam Park at a junction with Wigwam Trail #609. Goose Creek Trail offers primitive camping, fishing in Goose Creek and views of red Pikes Peak granite formations.
From the trailhead sign near the parking area, follow the trail a short way down to a wooden footbridge across from Hankins Creek. Just across the bridge is a trail junction. The Hankins Pass Trail #630 heads left (west), and Goose Creek Trail #612 heads right (east). After reaching Goose Creek, the trail follows the creek upstream, crossing over a large metal footbridge. The valley gradually opens up, revealing the domes and spires characteristic of the area. The trail soon begins to gain elevation, rising up away from the creek.
A sign marks the turnoff to the historic buildings and shaft house remnants. 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 northwesterly direction, reaching the McCurdy Park Trail #628 junction at a high point overlooking the valley. McCurdy Park Trail #628 heads west from the junction, dropping down to eventually cross Lost Creek, and then turns south up a steep valley to intersect Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607 in McCurdy Park. Goose Creek Trail #612 bears right (north) up to a saddle east of a granite tower with a distinctive leaning pinnacle before dropping down into Wigwam Park to end at its intersection with Wigwam Trail #609.
General Information
The lower part of the valley is rather tight, and good, legal campsites (at least 100 feet from water and the trail) are scarce. Plan to begin hiking from the trailhead early enough to find a good campsite. This area sees heavy use, so do all you can to keep your impact to a minimum. Because the trail is entirely in designated wilderness, wilderness regulations apply.
Connecting Trails:
- Hankins Pass Trail #630
- McCurdy Park Trail #628
- Wigwam Trail #609
Open year-round
There is a mandatory, self-issued permit system in the Mount Evans Wilderness and Lost Creek Wilderness areas. There are no fees associated with the permit, though users are required to complete one.
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 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.) are allowed.
- No landing or dropping of supplies by aircraft (including parasails) is permitted.
- Group size is limited to 15 people and/or 10 pack or saddle animals in any one party.
- Pets must be on a leash at all times.
- Camp at least 100 feet from lakes, streams or trails.
- Campfires must 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.
Address: 30403 Kings Valley Drive, Suite 2-115 Conifer, CO 80433
Phone: 303-275-5610
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Parking
The trailhead includes a parking area and horse loading and unloading facilities.
Directions
Reach via Forest Road 211 at the south end from Tarryall Road (County Road 77) near Lake George, Colo., or from the north end near Deckers, Colo.
Nearby Recreation Sites
Recreation Opportunities
Day Hikes Info
A popular day hike is up the lower Goose Creek Trail to a side trail leading to several historic buildings and the remains of a shaft house. These old buildings and machinery date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, when a company attempted to create a reservoir, without success, by sealing the underground channel of the Lost Creek. Above the shaft house, the creek is Lost Creek, but it emerges from underground just south of the shaft house as Goose Creek.
Backpacking Info
McCurdy Park Trail #628 intersects Goose Creek Trail #612, where it begins to climb north out of the Lost Creek drainage. A multiday loop trip is to hike Goose Creek Trail up to McCurdy Park Trail and follow the McCurdy Park Trail to its intersection with Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607. Then continue south a short distance to Lake Park Trail #639. Follow Lake Park Trail to Hankins Pass, and then travel east on Hankins Pass Trail #630 back to the Goose Creek Trailhead.
