Goose Creek Trail #612

The 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 the Wigwam Trail (#609). The Goose Creek Trail offers primitive camping, fishing in Goose Creek, and views of red Pikes Peak granite formations. 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/early 1900s when a company attempted without success to create a reservoir by sealing the underground channel of the Lost Creek. Above the shafthouse, the creek is Lost Creek, but it emerges from underground just south of the shafthouse as Goose Creek.

The McCurdy Park Trail intersects the Goose Creek Trail where it begins to climb north out of the Lost Creek drainage. A multi-day loop trip is to hike the Goose Creek Trail up to the McCurdy Park Trail (#628) and follow the McCurdy Park Trail to its intersection with the Brookside Trail (#607). Then continue south a short distance to the Lake Park Trail (#639). Follow the Lake Park Trail to Hankins Pass, and then travel east on the Hankins Pass Trail (#630) back to the Goose Creek Trailhead.

The lower part of the valley is rather tight and good, legal campsites (at least 100' 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.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	Although open year-round, access during the winter may be limited due to snow.
Permit Info:	There is a mandatory self-issuing permit system in the Mount Evans and Lost Creek Wilderness areas to enable us to better manage visitation. The same type of system is also in place in other Wildernesses. 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.
Open Season:	Open year-round
Best Season:	Summer
Restrictions:	The following regulations / restrictions apply to the Lost Creek Wilderness: No motorized equipment (chainsaws, drills, etc.) or mechanized transportation (bicycles, wagons, etc.) No landing or dropping of supplies by aircraft (including parasails) Groups 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 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.
Water:	No
Restroom:	No
Operated By:	Forest Service
Information Center:	Appears on the following maps: Pike National Forest USGS Quad Green Mountain National Geographic Trails Illustrated #135 (Deckers / Rampart Range) National Geographic Trails Illustrated #105 (Tarryall Mountains / Kenosha Pass) USGS Topo: McCurdy Mountain USGS Topo: Windy Peak Contact the South Platte Ranger District at 303.275.5610 for more information.

General Information

Directions:

Reach via by Forest Road 211 at the south end from Tarryall Road (Cty Hwy No. 77) near Lake George or from the north end near Deckers. Includes a parking area and horse loading and unloading facilities.

Accessibility:

This trail is open year round; however, weather may make access difficult especially in the winter and spring months.

General Notes:

From the trailhead sign near the parking area follow the trail a short way down to a wooden footbridge across a Hankins Creek. Just across the bridge is a trail junction. The Hankins Pass Trail heads left (west) and Goose Creek Trail heads right (east). After reaching Goose Creek, the trail follows the creek upstream, crossing over on 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 turn off 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 junction at a high point overlooking the valley. The McCurdy Park Trail heads west from the junction, dropping down to eventually cross Lost Creek and then turns south up a steep valley to intersect the Brookside McCurdy Trail in McCurdy Park. The Goose Creek Trail 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 the Wigwam Trail.

Connecting Trails:

Hankins Pass Trail
McCurdy Park Trail (area is unavailable)
Wigwam Trail

Parking:

Goose Creek Trail has a parking area and horse loading and unloading facilities.

Activities

Day Hiking

Trail Use: very heavy
Length: 9.4 Miles (15.2 Kilometers)
Elevation: starts at 8,220 Feet (2505 Meters); ends at 9,500 Feet (2895 Meters); high point at 10,140 Feet (3090 Meters)

Difficulty Level:	More Difficult

Backpacking

Trail Use: very heavy
Length: 9.4 Miles (15.2 Kilometers)
Elevation: starts at 8,220 Feet (2505 Meters); ends at 9,500 Feet (2895 Meters); high point at 10,140 Feet (3090 Meters)