Lost Creek Wilderness

There were a bakers dozen energetic members of the High Country Hikers group on board Tuesday.  The van left the ACAA parking lot, and headed for the Payne trailhead (TH), outside the town of Bailey.  History buffs will be interested to learn the town was first settled by William Bailey in 1864.  Mr. Bailey carved out a ranch, built a stage station, and later a hotel in the town with his namesake.

Lela and Nancy maintain a steady pace as they gain elevation. 

Today, Bailey is best known for the Coney Island Hot Dog stand.  The eatery shaped like a hot dog was moved from Aspen Park in 2006.


Kathy and Johanna check out the map.


Lost Creek Wilderness is a 119,720 acre gem located in Pike National Forest.  The creek from which the area gets its name, appears and disappears numerous times before it joins Goose Creek.  Farther downstream, it empties into the South Platte River at Cheesman Reservoir.  There are 130 miles of trails in this remote wilderness of rocky spires and domes, flowery meadows,and box canyons.


Hike leader, Ed (white top) sets the pace.


Ed made a brief pit stop at the Conoco in downtown Bailey, before moving on to the TH.

The author faced an Oh NO! moment before he got off the bus.  Minutes before we arrived, my boots were in full view between the driver and co-pilot.  Now they were gone.  Someone had picked them up in error, right.


Cynthia and Barbara on trail transition from meadow to Aspen grove. 


In the parking lot, I visually checked each of my fellow-hikers, all of whom were in the process of preparing for their day on trail.  About half way around the circle of hikers, I noticed Deanna looking down at a pair of boots.  Noticing a sock was stuffed into each boot, she slowly pulled one out. 


Johanna enjoying some back country solitude.


I walked closer when she said, "These are not my boots.  They sure look like mine."  Mystery closed.


Greetings from the wild!!!


Ed gathered everybody at the TH marker to point out a handwritten note.  It is the first time in a few years that a note of a bear sighting has been posted.  Ed then proceeded to explain the do's and dont's when in close proximity to a bear

Renaissance woman, Jo Murphy.  Her story (Inspiring Profile) is featured on this blog.  See Blog Archive: Click on "February" at far right to bring up her story.

On trail, we were soon challenged with some of the 700+ elevation gain on the day.  Moderate size switchbacks helped to make the early ups easier.  Overall trail condition was dry with spots of loose rock and little exposed root growth.

Hey Nancy, there's a skeleton hanging from the tree behind you.

Canopy on the day was 50% at best.  Cover consisted mostly of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir.  Vistas, overlooks, and snowcapped mountains were not part of the landscape for hikers today.  It was straight out hiking for about seven miles.  The out and back hike provided us the opportunity to experience two trails, the Brookside and the McCurdy.



High Country Hikers

 
With the challenging part of the day behind us, it was treat time.  There is not much happening on the streets of Bailey.  The happening crowd hangs out inside the Knottry Pine. 



One of the best ice creme stops of the year.

 A group of local men were talking about whatever topic one of them offered up.  When I asked the group if trapping animals is still legal in Colorado, one guy looked up and said, "No, not any more."
Meanwhile, the hikers were focused on a cone or dish of soft serve ice creme.
Total miles = 7.2

Total elevation gain = 776'