Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

Access

Rolling Creek/Colorado Trail Trailhead (8,360 ft. elevation)

From the trailhead the Colorado Trail goes west toward the North Fork Trailhead and the Rolling Creek Trail goes south to join the Wigwam Trail.

From Bailey, go east on County Road 68 which becomes Forest Road 560. Go right at the Y onto County Road 543. 7.8 miles from Bailey park at a small Parking area on the south side of the road (large enough for trailers) or go right (south) a short distance to the Colorado Trail/Rolling Creek trailhead.

 

Connecting Trails

Colorado Trail-Segment 3
Colorado Trail-Segment 4
Wigwam Trail

Trail Information

This popular trail provides access into the northeast side of the Lost Creek Wilderness. The first third of the trail south from the trailhead are an easy, pleasant hike following gently rolling terrain. However, the second two thirds of the trail is quite steep and the trail up the tight canyon on the north side is often blocked by downed trees. The trail passes around to the west of the Castle and offers some very dramatic views of this prominent pinnacle. This trail, in conjunction with the Colorado Trail, Wigwam Trail and Goose Creek Trail, offer some interesting loops for backpack trips. The gentle first section of the trail, up to the Wilderness boundary, is popular with mountain bikers, but the rest of the trail is entirely in designated wilderness. In Wilderness, mountain bikes are prohibited and Wilderness regulations apply.

Description

From the trailhead at end of the road, the Colorado Trail bears right (west) and the Rolling Creek Trail heads left (east). The first part of this trail is very easy to hike, with only minor "ups and downs" and small stream crossings. Just after crossing the much larger Rolling Creek, the Wilderness boundary is reached. Soon thereafter, a tight canyon is entered and the trail becomes very steep. The canyon section is not recommended for horses. As you climb out of the canyon, the view to the north opens up with views of the Castle, the granite along upper Rolling Creek, and the mountains in the distance.

The high point of the trail is a saddle between the Rolling Creek and Wigwam Creek drainages. From the saddle the trail continues south down into Wigwam Park, where it meets the Wigwam Trail.

A final note on the Rolling Creek Trail. The 1954 Windy Peak Quad map does not show the location of the first 1/3 of the trail. The trail is not shown on the map until you cross Rolling Creek. From that point south, the trail is located more or less as shown on the quad map.