Rio Grande National Forest

USDA Forest Service
Rio Grande
National Forest
1803 W. Highway 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-5941

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-852-6271

Excellent views and good fishing are both possible along this trail.

Access:

Travel southwest from Creede on Colorado Highway 149 for 20.1 miles, to the intersection of Highway 149 and Forest Road #520 (Rio Grande Reservoir/Upper Rio Grande Road), then approximately 16 miles to Lost Trail Campground. Trailhead is about ½ mile west of the campground.

Attractions & Considerations:

Excellent views and good fishing are both possible along this trail.

Evidence of recent and historic mining activity is visible near Carson Pass on the Continental Divide. A short but steep side trip allows one to see the mining activity on a first-hand basis.

Another excellent side trip from this trail is a hike to Heart Lake.

Very few good camping places are available along the upper 4 miles of this trail.

Narrative:

Lost Trail Creek Trail #821. The trail junction with Forest road #520 (Upper Rio Grande Road) is well signed. The trail begins with a gradual stroll through open parks and aspen patches. After about 1.5 miles, the trail will begin to drop slightly down, gradually getting closer and paralleling Lost Trail C reek. T he trail junction with West Lost Trail Creek is located here. Continue northward up Lost Trail Creek. Shortly, the trail will cross the creek and make a short, steep climb away from the creek bottom. The creek crossing can be dangerous during the early summer runoff. The trail continues, passing through a log fence, and then after ¼ to ½ mile, enters a small open park where the Heart Trail begins. After meeting the Heart Lake Trail #823, Lost Trail Creek Trail #821 turns westward and begins entering a mixed aspen and spruce/fir timber stand. The trail will climb gradually through the trees for about 1.5 miles. It will then enter the long open park bottom of Lost Trail Creek. Old and new mining activity can now be seen in the distance, toward Carson Pass (Continental Divide). The trail becomes a 4-wheel drive road for a distance of about 1.5 miles along the stream bottom area. The trail continues up the drainage at a fairly level grade for another 2 miles from the end of the road. It then makes a sharp, steep climb out the drainage bottom toward and along the Continental Divide. After another mile of travel, the trail will meet the West Lost Trail Creek Trail and the Cataract Lake Trail. The last 3 miles of the Lost Trail Creek Trail is sometimes not defined by a definite tread. Stick driveway signs will help guide the trail user.