Hermosa Wilderness

The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection legislation, passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in December, 2014, created both the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area and the adjacent 37,236-acre Hermosa Creek Wilderness.

The new Hermosa Creek Wilderness is very remote and rugged. It includes two system trails: Salt Creek and Clear Creek – which total approximately 14 miles. These trails are open only to travel by foot or horseback. No motorized or mechanized (bicycle) traffic is allowed within the Wilderness per the 1964 Wilderness Act. Stay on designated trails in the Hermosa; new routes must not be created when trails are impassable. 

Mountain bike travel on the Colorado Trail is not affected by the new Hermosa Wilderness designation; however, mountain bikes will not be allowed on the trails that lead into Wilderness from the Colorado Trail, Hermosa Creek Trail, or other trails outside the Wilderness.

Within the Hermosa Wilderness boundary, Wilderness regulations are currently in effect and violators risk federal fines.

The Hermosa Creek Watershed experienced the 54,000-acre "416 Fire" in 2018. As a result, there are burned area hazards  in the Hermosa Creek Watershed. Entry into burned areas is at your own risk. Some trails will be impassable, and hazards such as falling trees, unstable soils, and debris flows will exist. Please contact the Columbine Ranger District for current information about conditions: (970) 884-2512.

At a Glance