Upper Straight Creek Trail…Wildflowers, Marmots, Pikas

If you want to see marmots, pikas, and wildflowers…and amazing mountain views, this is the hike for you! I just love them all…so if you sign up, be prepared to stop for marmot/pika/wildflower viewing and photos. We’ve even seen a couple ermine on this trail. THIS WILL NOT BE MY REGULAR FAST-PACED HIKE.

Difficulty: Moderate: about 6.5 to 7 miles with about 1,500-1,600 feet elevation gain. Highest elevation is about 12,500 feet.

Hikes that are scheduled weeks in advance are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Upper Straight Creek has been referred to as ‘flower valley’ and is incredible for sub-alpine wildflowers…as you are tucked below the Continental Divide when hiking through this oasis. We will be past peak wildflowers, but hopefully there will still be lots of wildflowers. We usually see lots of marmots and pikas on this hike. In fact I generally see more marmots here than any other hike I’ve ever done, See the following hike in alltrails except will will continue beyond to the ski lifts: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/straight-creek-trail

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW RULES: Allowed on a leash. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the walk. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Upper Straight Creek trailhead. The trailhead is to your right, right after you exit Eisenhower Tunnel if driving from Denver. Watch for that immediate right or you will have to drive all the way to Silverthorne to turn around and you will miss the hike. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above for directions. Also I will post a photo showing where the parking area is.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.90673863326163&lat=39.693273442297226

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.