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Hey everyone, I'm interested in doing a 3day/2night backpack from either Rolling Creek, Wigwam, or Payne Creek Trailheads as they are the closest to me driving wise.

Any particularly good loops from these trailheads for a lost creek newbie? Thanks

What kind of distance are you looking for? I can advise, but take it with a grain of salt. I once went on an unintended 1 night 'backpacking' trip around that area. I know a particular area a bit too well now.

Wigwam TH to Lost Park, up and over Bison Pass to the Mcurdy Park trail to Refrigerator Gulch and then the Goose Creek trail back to Wigwam would make a really nice loop. That should work out to about 10 miles a day with the only real strenuous section being the ascent to Bison Pass.

Newt's option above would probably be the nicest in terms of easiest "loopable" option, as well as scenery if limited to the three TH's you note.

Goose Creek TH isnt all that far from Wigwam, and if you started there you could do the standard Goose Creek Loop.

Also, using the same route more or less as Newt mentions, you could start from Rolling Creek and start west on the CO trail and make your way to Lost Park, follow Newt's directions to Wigwam, then catch Rolling Creek trail back north the the TH. Adds a bit of mileage.

If up for some climbing on your way by, Wigwam trail does pass by one of (in my opinion) the best summits around, UN10926: http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=13019

--D

Derek wrote:Newt's option above would probably be the nicest in terms of easiest "loopable" option, as well as scenery if limited to the three TH's you note.

Goose Creek TH isnt all that far from Wigwam, and if you started there you could do the standard Goose Creek Loop.

Also, using the same route more or less as Newt mentions, you could start from Rolling Creek and start west on the CO trail and make your way to Lost Park, follow Newt's directions to Wigwam, then catch Rolling Creek trail back north the the TH. Adds a bit of mileage.

If up for some climbing on your way by, Wigwam trail does pass by one of (in my opinion) the best summits around, UN10926: http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=13019

--D

I had ruled out goose creek TH because google maps says its 1 hour further than wigwam, is that not true? I'm coming from denver area. I'd like to stay under 10 miles a day. What loop offers the best fishing opportunities ?

My recollection is Goose Creek is about 1/2 hour further down the road from Wigwam.

What loop offers the best fishing opportunities ?

RustyShackleford wrote:I had ruled out goose creek TH because google maps says its 1 hour further than wigwam, is that not true? I'm coming from denver area.

Im guessing you would be coming in from hwy 126 (as the other way would be 560 over stoney pass...which seems to take longer) in which case, you follow the same directions to both Wigwam and Goose creek up until the road split at Stoney Pass Rd and Hwy 211. (This is near where you leave the main road to Cheeseman Reservoir. From that point you are either 5 miles from Wigwam TH (by turning right at the split) or 11 miles from Goose Creek TH (by turning left at the split.) So, about 6 extra miles of gravel roads going to Goose Creek. 10...maybe 15 minutes extra?

Either way, the drive to Wigwam OR Goose Creek always seems to take forever...