Pine Valley Ranch/Buffalo Creek-Strawberry Jack to Buck Gulch Loop

Every time I do this hike, not many sign up. But I like this hike it is different from many others…maybe due to the wildfires This hike is mostly out in the open and will hopefully have decent wildflowers. Much of this hike goes through the 1996 Buffalo Creek and 2000 Hi Meadows wildfire burn areas.

DIFFICULTY: about 9 to 9.5 miles with almost 1,400 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This hike starts out in Pine Valley Ranch Park but goes south out of the park into Pike National Forest. We will start by walking around the lake and will then head onto the Park View Trail…doing the big loop clockwise. From there we will take the Strawberry Jack Trail to Skipper Trail, then Buck Gulch Trail back to Pine Valley Ranch…where will will again hike along the lake heading back to the trailhead. This exact trail is not in alltrails, but here is a link to my self-made alltrails route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-13-2025-10ce03a?u=i&sh=ittjkn

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW PARK 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 Pine Valley Ranch Park trailhead…at the lower parking lot. The address is: 30400 Crystal Lake Road, Pine Grove, CO 80470. To get there, you can use the following alltrails link and click directions: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/buck-gulch-trail-loop
If you use Google maps, you can type in “Pine Lake Ranch” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Pine Valley Ranch Trailhead” for directions. When you get there, continue down the road to the last parking area.

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, 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=-105.35309605799492&lat=39.39753326055734

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.