Backpacking ~ Lost Creek Wilderness (SAT 23-25 MAY)
Details
⚠️*****UPDATE***UPDATE**⚠️
Since the Woolly Mammoth Park and Ride is a bit out of the way for those living in Denver or South Denver, I’m updating our meeting spot.
We will now plan to meet at the Aspen Park Park-n-Ride
26137 Conifer Rd, Aspen Park, CO 80433.
While it is further into the mountains, meeting here makes the most sense if our objective is to consolidate and take the fewest cars possible to the trailhead.
Of course, please feel free to coordinate and carpool with other hikers who live close to you on the way up!
Meeting Time: 6:45 AM at Aspen Park Park-n-Ride
Drive Time: It is about a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from there to the Goose Creek Trailhead.
I will update the official trip description with these details now.
Because this is on the way, everyone should meet at Aspen Park Park and Ride even if your car is full. See you then!
***END OF UPDATE***
Join us on this classic, early season backpacking trip, near Bailey, CO!
Lost Creek Wilderness is a surreal landscape where ancient, rounded granite domes and towering spires create a stunning, prehistoric playground.
◈ EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
This is an advanced trip covering 24 miles with significant elevation. Prior backpacking experience is required. You should be fully confident in your gear setup and your ability to carry a weighted pack over steep, strenuous terrain.
RSVP OPENS: Friday, May 1st at 12.00 pm
✅MEET AND GREET AT TRAILHEAD: 8:30 am
✅START HIKING: 8:45 am (our hikes start on time)
TRAIL RATING
🔴 Challenging
🔥FITNESS: You should be in very good shape and comfortable hiking steep sections and stream crossings. The total hike is 24 miles.
TRAIL READY
To ensure our group can move together with ease and safety, our adventures are best suited for hikers who are trail ready. Please review the Trail Rating below to ensure this specific trip matches your current conditioning.
TRAILHEAD: (Goose Creek Trailhead)
Length: 24 miles
Elevation: +5,750 ft gain, -5,689 ft loss
Route type: Loop
Crowds: Expect to share the trail with day hiker and backpackers. This is a very popular trail.
DAY 1, Sat May 23:
- 7.3 miles | +2,719 ft elevation gain | -1,040 ft elevation loss
- Setup camp, climb around, look a pretty rocks
DAY 2, Sun May 24:
- 8.7 miles | +3,495 ft elevation gain | -1,704 ft elevation loss
- Setup camp, chill, this will be a big day of hiking
DAY 3, Mon May 25:
- 6.1 miles | +175 ft elevation gain | -2,855 ft elevation loss,
- Hike back to cars
WHERE: Lost Creek Wilderness
HIKE TYPE: Backpacking, two nights
TRAIL MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/P8C72Q9
⚠️CARPOOLING (required):
Aspen Park Park-n-Ride
26137 Conifer Rd, Aspen Park, CO 80433
Since the Lost Creek Wilderness is busier than ever and the early snowmelt will likely result in a full parking lot, we need to carpool for this trip.
Drive Time: 2 hours
Organize Cars: 6:45 am
Start Driving: 7:00 am (sharp)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD (Goose Creek Trailhead)
The roads are dirt and bumpy at times but cars will not have a problem on them (other than getting dusty)
Take US 285 to Pine Junction and turn south onto County Road 126. Drive for 21.8 miles. Just south of Wigwam Campground, take a right (west) on FR 211, following the signs for Cheesman Lake and Goose Creek Campground. After 2.0 miles, turn right for Lost Valley Ranch and Goose Creek Campground. Go west for 1.1 miles, stay left at a fork in the road and continue for another 5.2 miles. At a junction past Molly Gulch Campground, turn right for Goose Creek Campground. Drive 4.7 miles, bearing left when Forest Road 51 descends to the right. Cross Goose Creek and pass Goose Creek Campground. Head right onto the Goose Creek Trailhead access road and drive for 1.3 miles to the large parking area.
NOTABLES:
- Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
- 🐶Dogs must be leashed.
⚠️ KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
We are a community of peers not guides or leaders. Hosts are not experts and should not be relied on for advice, medical care, or emergency assistance. You are responsible for your own safety, gear, and fitness, and must be prepared to complete the hike independently. The host's role is simply to be the anchor point; the person who ensures everyone meets at the right spot so the group can head out together.
A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
Returning members: You only need to resubmit the form if your emergency contact has changed.
GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join ICB and sign the Safety & Emergency Form first. We'd love to have them!
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: Update your RSVP (including waitlist) at least 48 hours before the event. If you miss 2 events without notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
BE PREPARED: We prioritize safety and self-sufficiency so we can focus on the experience. If you need to audit your gear or prep, this REI Checklist is a great resource.
TRIP STYLE:
We backpack to nature. Our adventures are less about the destination and more about the journey itself. We immerse ourselves the splendor of nature. We spend our evenings by the fire, telling stories under the stars. Many trips challenge us but we are never in a hurry to get there.
TRAIL RATING
Trips are rated based on the distance, elevation, and terrain of their most demanding day.
🟡Active
5–7 miles, moderate elevation (1,000 - 2,000’)
Uneven terrain, steady movement throughout, possible stream crossings
You can hike continuously uphill with a full overnight pack without frequent long breaks
🟠Strenuous
7–10 miles, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000')
Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings
You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending
🔴Challenging
10+ miles and/or significant elevation gain (3,000’+)
Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel
You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day