Definitely do the main loop clockwise, though. Buffalo Peaks and Salt Creek Trail Loop is a 47.3 kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hartsel, Colorado that features a river and is rated as moderate. After crossing Highway 285 and the final reliable water source on the route, the graded road climbs intermittently … 3. I would schedule three hours for the 13-mile loop, if you stop several times for breaks and photo stops (especially in the fall season). After researching beginner spots within a few hours of Denver, we decided that Rich Creek Trail in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness was the best spot for our first adventure. It was poorly marked and we almost lost the trail a couple times. Trout creek traverses the land and fishing for the brookies at the warm springs, in the national forest a couple hundred yards downstream in the national forest provides year … Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. The whole wilderness area only has 18 miles of trails, most of which is the lovely Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop. Colorado's Spring & early Summer hiking at its best - this underrated gem traverses the little known Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, forming a loop that spans open meadows, gorgeous forests and rushing creeks. Didn’t see anyone except at the two trailheads. This report describes a trail hike around the Buffalo Peaks. Easy terrain, wildlife, some adventure. Portions of the Top of the Rockies, Collegiate Peaks, and West Elk Loop scenic byways are noted for those wishing to take in the scenery by car. The final 40 miles of the route is primarily dirt road descending from Buffalo Peaks and then traversing the rugged landscape to the south before joining singletrack for the final long descent into Salida. Description … The poor trail marking and road walks are what bring my rating down. The Buffalo Meadows Loop is a somewhat long but very pleasant day hike that will take you through an interesting variety of mountain ecosystems. It get its name from the thirteen thousand foot Buffalo Peaks located 15 miles southwest of Fairplay, Colorado. The trailhead for this 12-mile hike is located on the Weston Pass Road which connects U.S Highway 285 south of Fairplay with Leadville at the upper end of the Arkansas Valley. And with the absence … Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area is a protected area in Colorado. USGS Topo Map Quad: South Peak These trails will really make you enjoy the wilderness. Expertly researched and created in … About half the distance is in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. It is 8 miles north of the Hwy 24/285 junction at Antero Junction. Starting at the Rich Creek Campground this wonderful moderate hike … The Buffalo Peaks loop is a great long day trip or overnight backpacking trip that offers plenty of great camping spots and numerous sources of water. The Buffalo Meadows are a sweet series of alpine … Though we only saw 1, these trails are frequented by deer and elk, as evidenced by the tracks that we followed almost the entire way. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. The map shows plenty of streams. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Sheep Creek Loop 13.1 mi 21.0 km • 1,447' Up 441.13 m Up • 1,448' Down 441.36 m Down. 4. Mount Sherman Trail via Four Mile Creek Road, Mount Sherman to Mount Sheridan to Peerless Mountain to Horseshoe Pass Loop, Iron Mike Mine and Halfmoon Creek OHV Trail. One of the prettiest meadows I’ve ever crossed. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop Hiking Trail, Buena Vista, Colorado Rich Creek Trail 616 and Tumble Creek Trail 617 Loop. Rich Creek Trail 616 . 5.3 Miles 8.6 KM Point to Point. The Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is probably most famous for its forest environment and unique wildlife. Length 29.4 miElevation gain 5482 ftRoute type Loop Snow/mud wasn't an issue except for a number of (overflowing) creek crossings that took a little extra effort to navigate around. Anyone who is interested in visiting Buffalo Peaks Wilderness can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. The worst part was salt creek trail. Hikers have rat… The latitude and longitude coordinates of Buffalo Peaks Wilderness are 39.0354416, -106.1613919 and the approximate elevation is 11,732 feet (3,576 meters) above sea level. Rd. Some of the recreation features noted include campgrounds, … It also had us walking along roads and there were several times when the point where the trail exited the road were not marked. Look for the expansive Buffalo Meadows where the Rich Creek Trail meets the … When to Go: This trip is best in spring when you need to get out and stretch your legs and theirs too much snow at higher … It has evergreen forest, creeks, waterfalls, and meadows. If you intend to hike this loop in late summer, I would recommend you bring an extra liter of water just in case. Very peaceful., didn't see another person. We saw a clearing in the trees to a beautiful view of what we believe was Marmot peak then turned around. The Buffalo Peaks loop is not a … Elevations range from 9,200 to 13,326 feet from sea level. Contact Us : Backpacking. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. I did this loop in 3 days, 2 nights with my sister. 12 Views Last Month 932 Since Sep 8, 2017 Intermediate. Buffalo Peaks and Salt Creek Trail Loop is a 29.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hartsel, Colorado that features a river and is rated as moderate. This is almost entirely within the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness so please observe wilderness restrictions posted on the parking lot sign. Backpacking 35; Day Hikes 21; Colorado 20; Pacific Northwest Trail 15; Food, Gear & Prep 12; Weekend Trip 12; Wisconsin 11; Great Divide Trail … Please sign the register at the trailhead. The wilderness has a popular hiking trail known as the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop. We planned to hike halfway on Saturday afternoon, camp overnight, and … Buffalo Meadows Trail – off of Cty. This loop can be extended with additional singletrack at each end until you hit wilderness boundaries. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. DIFFICULT 5.1 mi. However, we did this backpack in late summer, and most of the streams along the south and eastern sides of the loop (mostly along salt creek trail) had dried up. In Backpacking, Weekend Trip, Colorado Tags colorado, backpacking, hiking, buffalo peaks wilderness, camping, weekend trip ← Capitol Creek Circuit+ New Gear Testing → Categories. Add Your Recommended Routes. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. Depending on which trailhead you choose, the distance is between 25-28 miles. The map base includes contour lines and elevations for summits, passes, and many lakes. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is displayed on the South Peak USGS quad topo map. Also known as “Fourmile Creek Trail” a niche day hike or overnighter into the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area. An easy saunter: Buffalo Peaks Wilderness : Rough & Tumble and Rich Creek loop. It was peaceful, it was tough, it was worth every step! Once we hit the actual start point and hiked along the Salt Creek Trail, the hiking was good, but not great, with few vistas or meadows, and the water points were a bit scarce. Current Trail Conditions Update … The loop features a range of terrain including forests, meadows, and creeks. DIFFICULT 6.8 mi. 2 13ers. 24 Stoplight in Buena Vista, turn East on Main St.; left turn onto N. Colorado Ave./Cty. Road types are differentiated, so you know if the route you choose is a four-wheel-drive or high-clearance road. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is in the Reserves category for Park County in the state of Colorado. Need to Know This trail doesn't get a lot of traffic so early in the summer things might appear a bit overgrown and show little sign of use. Had to ford a few times, to include walking on top of a beaver dam once. Directions: From Main St./Hwy. 44 acres with hunting cabin, surrounded by national forest and the base of Buffalo Peaks. 375 Fourmile. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Intermediate. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Buffalo Peaks Wilderness are 39.0354416, -106.1613919 and the approximate elevation is 11,732 feet (3,576 meters) above sea level. Sign via Tumble Creek Trail 617. DIFFICULT 11.7 mi. If you get the Trails Illustrated Maps 110 (Leadville/Fairplay) and 129 (Buena Vista/Collegiate Peaks), all the possibilities will become apparent. District Offices - Hours vary. 2. Sandwiched between Buena Vista toward the west and Fairplay to the east, the 43,413-acre southern portion of the Mosquito Mountain Range, including Buffalo Peaks, was designated a wilderness area by Congress in 1993. Add Your Recommended Routes. Sep 8, 2017 near Fairplay, CO. 0 Comments. Dogs are also able to use this trail. By Bob Falcone Share on Facebook. Tumble Creek Trail 617. Portions of the Top of the Rockies, Collegiate Peaks, and West Elk Loop scenic byways are noted for those wishing to take in the scenery by car. More about backpacking Buffalo Peaks Wilderness: The 12-mile Buffalo Peaks backpacking loop is one of the best, easiest, most-accessible, and least-crowded areas within 2 hours of Colorado’s Front Range! Next time, we’ll start the same way, but just do the Buffalo Peaks Loop, then head back. The turn off is located just north of the 170 mile maker on 285. The only signs of civilization come once you hit the 4x4 roads and some of the camp sites attached to them. This petite wilderness of 43,410 acres is the only designated wilderness in the Mosquito Mountains. 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% Add a Photo. Its gentle lower slopes, replete with meadows and beaver damns, makes it a pleasant addition to the wilderness system. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, encompassing 41,232 acres, was congressionally designated in 1993. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop . Total Length: ~12 miles; Total Elevation Gain: ~2000 feet; Maps: Leadville/Fairplay map from NatGeo; Dogs: On leash only; Permit: None. The dirt roads first pass through Chubb Park, an area to avoid if wet due to the clay-rich roadbeds. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. OF 19. We camped at the end of the meadow and saw 8 moose!!! Hiking Trails (4) Reviews (5) 1. Elevation: 11,732 feet (3,576 meters) Weather. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop 12.3 mi 19.8 km • 1,921' Up 585.38 m Up • 1,917' Down 584.31 m Down. For most of the Salt Creek Trail, you will be riding on the boundary fo the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness area--this is the … Even better there's a good chance you'll find solitude in whats considered one of the best overnight hikes in the region. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness has only the latter.Most people hike the loop counterclockwise, heading up the Rich Creek Trail, connecting with the Rough and Tumbling Trail in Buffalo Meadows. 10,709' 3,264 m High 10,061' 3,067 m Low 756' 230 m Up ... in Buffalo Peaks Wilderness #1,131 in Colorado #12,396 Overall. Recommended Routes in Buffalo Peaks Wilderness - 1 MTB Project is built by riders like you. An amazing trek! We parked about � mile from the end of the road, about 8 miles in. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Intermediate. We started at the Four Mile trail head. Rd. Other: Good information page from ORIC here; The Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is a gentle area with rounded mountains, flowing creeks, … USFS Buffalo Peaks information. Recommended Routes in Buffalo Peaks Wilderness - 1 Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Fairplay, CO. Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Biking. Tons … Photos. Some of the recreation features noted include campgrounds, … The main Buffalo Peaks loop had a number of people on it, but we didn't see a sole on the salt creek side (this side didn't have as great of views). cohippieboy 1 year, 4 months ago .