HOW TO USE: This is a rough guideline for your trip. Be sure to fill in the blanks and send to your loved ones. Remember, the wilderness is wild, plan accordingly.
ITINERARY
Finding Sasquatch!
Pine Creek Loop, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, CO
TBD (_) Trailmaster
On __________, _________ is hiking the Pine Creek Loop, in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, 10 miles northwest of Buena Vista, CO. The trip is moderate in difficulty the higher altitudes. Good fitness will make this trip more enjoyable, duh. Mines and buildings are plentiful along this loop. The area is also known for its unusually high number of Big Foot sightings. The three day two night trip total mileage is approximately 11.4 miles (6.34/2.23/6.7). The high low elevations are 10,300' and 13,000'.
Water is expected at camps but it never to be considered certain, especially in a dry year. Each person will be responsible for their own food, tent and equipment. This is a full backpack trip in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and follows Frenchman Creek, Pine Creek and a short section of the Colorado Trail. Mines and Big Foot sightings are expected.
Trailhead Directions - From Buena Vista, CO, take Highway 24 north approximately 7.5 miles to Co Road 386 in Riverside and turn left (west). After 0.3 miles there is a right (west) turn onto FR 386 Frenchman Creek Road. You will stay on FR 386 Frenchman Creek Road for 1.1 miles to the 2WD parking area. 4WD vehicles can travel another 1.6 miles to the Frenchman Creek Trailhead where the trip mileages start.
SCHEDULE
Friday Day 1 - 6.34 miles up Frenchman Creek Drainage and across to Pine Creek (up)
1:00 pm arrive Trailhead and begin hike
5:00 Arrive camp in time for High tea
5:30 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night (evening fishing?)
10:00 Lights out wilderness - Scout for Big Foot
Saturday Day 2 - 2.23 miles down Pine Creek
8:30 am up and about, breakfast, break camp
10:00 Leave camp and head out
11:30 Arrive Camp, make camp, eat, fish
12:00 lunch on creek
4:00 High tea
5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night
10:00 Lights out wilderness - More Big Foot Searching
Sunday Day 3 - 6.7 miles (some up, some down)
8:00 am Up and about, breakfast, pack up and make ready to move out.
9:30 am begin hike to cars.
12:00 pm lunch on the trail
1:00 pm arrive cars and congratulate ourselves on how cool we are. Start pondering which news agency to sell our Big Foot photos to.
WEATHER (expected)
Likely to be dry and in the 80 degrees. But, it isn’t sure; be prepared for 20 degrees and rain or snow. This is Colorado and it's never summer in the mountains.
WHAT TO TAKE, see site check list on website.
REMEMBER,
· backpacking teaches you to take care of yourself in a wilderness setting and to enjoy it.
· If your mother packed your pack, you have too much stuff.
· The Boy Scout Outdoor Code, the 4 c’s; CLEAN IN YOUR OUTDOOR MANNERS, CAREFUL WITH FIRE, CONSIDERATE IN THE OUTDOORS, CONSERVATION MINDED.
COSTS
Gas
Food
WHO's Going
Fill this in with names and cell phone.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Leadville Ranger District, San Isabel National Forest
810 Front Street
Leadville, CO 80461
719-486-0749
ATTACHED
81/2 x 11 copy of map