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Topic: Lost Creek Wilderness< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 11 2013, 10:17 am  Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
All,

 I'd like to do a backpacking trip in the Lost Creek Wilderness this year, and had a couple of questions:

- If there a good ~12 loop or out and back backpacking trip?

- Any thoughts on how early you could go and not find much snow?  I know it's pretty high, but with the lack of snow this winter I'm not sure what would be a reasonable guess.

Thanks!
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 12:26 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
"With the arid climate, expect mild temperatures during the spring and winter, which provides an easy escape from the bitter cold of Colorado’s' alpine environment. When the high summits of Colorado are draped in snow, the Lost Creek Wilderness will welcome you with open arms. Summitpost.com"
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Lamebeaver Search for posts by this member.
trail? I don't need no stinkin trail!
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 7:26 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I would say mid-May, but it's difficult to guess.
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 7:43 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I did the Colorado Trail across the Lost Creek in early June 2002. Barely saw a couple square feet of ice.

It was hot, the height of a historic drought. There's still some snowfall to come. Or fire. One or the other.

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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 8:54 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
;) I primeraly hike Lost Creek Wilderness and I love it. The best trail is the wigwam Trial. If you do diside to hike it, you will probuble run in to me on the trail, haha.
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 10:52 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Thanks everyone!  I suspect this March isn't going to yield enough snow to cure the drought, so it sounds like a May trip may be possible.  We're ok with some snow as well, it's just once it turns May I'll be ready to not be in snow anymore :)

How is the wigwam Trail vs. Goose Creek? Are there good campsites and water sources along both?  I'm guessing we'd go 2-3 miles on the first day (wouldn't get there until 7 or so), then another 2-3 day 2 (and make camp, then a dayhike from there), and then back out on Sunday.

Thanks for all the help!
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 11:41 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I tackled Wigwam last year in mid-April. Found very little snow only on the shaded north facing slopes and practically nothing to speak of on the trail.

There is plenty of water available along Wigwam, all/most of the "good" campsites are technically not supposed to be used but as I discovered the next day, it only stopped me (the fire ban also).


But.....that was last year.
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Deborah - 18 months
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 13 2013, 8:06 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

(Cadec @ Mar. 12 2013, 9:41 pm)
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But.....that was last year.

Right.   That was last year.   It has been several years, but if you look at the photo in my profile, you will see the level of snow on some Lost Creek trails on the way up to McCurdy Park.  We were not able to get to the peak - post holing and losing the trail --  the next day due to the snow.    I think that was Memorial Day weekend.   I know it was May.

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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 13 2013, 10:32 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Thanks everyone!  Yeah, snow is a little variable, but I'm guessing that the snow this year will be similar to last year (I'd love to be wrong and have a ton of snow in March!)  Fortunately this would just be a trip with a couple of friends, so as we get closer we can adjust as needed.

Is there a snotel site anywhere in the Lost Creek Wilderness?  I looked around but didn't notice one.
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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 13 2013, 10:32 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I checked the Buffalo Peaks Snotel:

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc....TERYEAR

If you ask me closer to May I'll have a buddy tell me what he sees from Teller County. Its drying off and warming up up here. Hoping that changes, but across the West lots of us are looking at  apotentially bad fire season; which might just translate into a really nice May hike.

Have fun.

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PostIcon Posted on: Mar. 18 2013, 10:29 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic.  Ignore posts   QUOTE
Thanks all! I'll keep an eye on it and see what things are looking at toward the end of April.
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