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Goose Creek Trail #612 - Lost Creek WA - 3 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 4.7 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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May 03 2025
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 Photos 377
 Triplogs 579

female
 Joined Jun 19 2009
 AZ
Goose Creek Trail #612 - Lost Creek WASouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Backpack avatar May 03 2025
oceanwithinTriplogs 579
Backpack10.00 Miles 2,042 AEG
Backpack10.00 Miles
2,042 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Out of curiosity I asked ChatGPT for a backpacking recommendation, for an overnighter near south Denver with minimal snow/ice. It came back recommending Goose Creek Trail in the Lost Creek Wilderness, an area I'd never heard of despite having done a bunch of other hikes in the Deckers area.

The drive in had us wondering what the hike was going to be like, as the landscape was pretty stark with burned trees from an old forest fire. The hike itself turned out to be on a gorgeous trail, green and happy with pasqueflowers dotting the ground (plus some old cabin ruins to check out). We found an awesome campsite nestled in along some huge boulders, overlooking the valley below. We saw a very brave chipmunk, two bull snakes, zero snow and only a handful of other people.

All in all it was a great start to summer backpacking in CO. I really loved this area and would like to do the longer loop at some point.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Gopher Snake
_____________________
 
Jun 26 2020
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 Guides 4
 Routes 5
 Photos 3,377
 Triplogs 783

55 male
 Joined Aug 20 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Creek Wilderness Loop via Goosecreek TH, CO 
Lost Creek Wilderness Loop via Goosecreek TH, CO
 
Backpack avatar Jun 26 2020
RickVincentTriplogs 783
Backpack26.70 Miles 6,000 AEG
Backpack26.70 Miles4 Days         
6,000 ft AEG35 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Flew to Denver with my friend Don to meet up with Chris. The three of us were on the trail just before noon on Friday. We camped at Lake Park the first night. Second night stayed at Refrigerator Gulch and 3rd night in an area near the Shaft House and old cabins.
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This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.
 
May 27 2013
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 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Goose Creek Trail #612 - Lost Creek WASouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar May 27 2013
chumleyTriplogs 1,993
Hiking9.70 Miles 2,042 AEG
Hiking9.70 Miles   3 Hrs   50 Mns   2.53 mph
2,042 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A healthy weekend started with a breakfast of homemade eggs (ok, so freshly hatched from my brother's chicken coop) and delicious un-pasteurized milk from their dairy cow. And it ended with a 10-mile hike in the spectacular Lost Creek Wilderness.

I will make a point of returning here sometime on a multi-day backpacking trip! The terrain is stunningly beautiful with domes and spires and other formations from the pink Pikes Peak Granite. Lost Creek is a fun creek to follow, as it disappears underground about 20 times, and when it appears, it is an impressive mountain stream with great fishing.

There are great camping opportunities and it is very interesting to see the remains of the attempt to dam the creek while it is underground, causing it to "back up" and fill an above-ground reservoir basin. It didn't work, but the area is fun to explore and the remnants of the project remain.

It is still a few weeks early and many of the trees and bushes along the creek had just started to get their leaves. In the middle of summer, the creekside would be much greener. There was still some snow on the higher peaks, so we were happy to stay below 9000 feet on the day.

My nieces were great, even though the hike ended up being a bit longer than planned. The drive in takes a while but the destination is worth it. After, we headed back to Denver for burgers and ice cream shakes before I headed to DIA. It's always a special treat to hike 10 miles in the Colorado mountains and still get to sleep in my own bed that same night.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Pike's Peak Granite
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wooden Dwelling
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Goose Creek
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fire Burn Area & Recovery
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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Oct 09 2010
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 Guides 6
 Photos 100
 Triplogs 25

40 male
 Joined Jun 01 2009
 Colorado Springs
Goose Creek Trail #612 - Lost Creek WASouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar Oct 09 2010
kentman2020Triplogs 25
Hiking9.00 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles   7 Hrs      1.29 mph
500 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We went pretty slow on this trail and we only made it halfway. that is, to the old cabins and steam engine up there. beatuiful scenery though.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wooden Dwelling
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average hiking speed 1.91 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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