Lost Creek Mountain Bike detour
This detour avoids the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. It follows several dirt forest roads to skirt the wilderness to the south, rejoining at the Rock Creek Trailhead at mile 8.0 of segment 5. The detour passes through the area devastated by the Hayman fire in that started in June of 2002 and controlled after over 1-1/2 months of firefighting. At 137,760 acres, it is the largest wildfire in Colorado history. This lengthy detour avoids 24.4 miles of trail.
The detour begins at the end of segment 3 at FS560 (Wellington Lake Road). (Elev 8280) Turn left and follow the road southeast for 2.8 miles to an intersection located next to WellingtonLake. (Elev 8040) Continue straight ahead here and cross a stream at mile 3.8. Continue uphill to mile 5.2 and cross StoneyPass. (Elev 8562)Continue ahead and cross streams at miles 8.1 and 8.6. (Elev 7920) Ignore a fork to the right at mile 9.7 and continue ahead to another intersection with FS51 at mile 12.0. (Elev 7495) Stay on FS560 to the left here. Hit FS211 at mile 13.6 and follow to the right (West). (Elev 7475) Cross a creek at mile 18.8 (Elev 7555) and reach an intersection just beyond at mile 19.0. Take the right fork here, continuing on FS211. Pass by Goose Creek Campground at mile 21.8. (Elev 7720) This campground was closed after the Hayman fire, but water can be filtered from the creek. Continue to follow FS211. Pass a private campground at mile 35.4 and hit Park County Road #77 at mile 35.9. (Elev 8230) Follow the paved road to the right. (Northwest). Pass through the small community of Tarryall at mile 41.0. (Elev 8700) Pass by a summer camp called “Outpost Wilderness Adventures” at mile 49.4. This is a summer camp that trains adventure racers, mountain bikers, and mountaineers. The camp has offered to provide low cost bunkhouse style lodging and cafeteria meals to through bikers, but you should probably contact them first to be sure of space. They may be contacted via the internet at
Continue on CR77 past Tarryall reservoir (Mile 54.1-Elev 8870) to mile 63.0 and turn right on Park County Road 39, Rock Creek Hills Road. (Elev 9225) The road re-enters the national forest in 4/10 of a mile where it becomes FS39. Follow the road to mile 68.7 and turn right (southeast) on FS 56.(Elev 9547) Follow this road to mile 70.8 and turn left on FS133.(Elev 9525) Follow this small jeep road to where the Colorado Trail crosses at mile 71.6.(Elev 9725) There is a interpretive sign here and a small parking area. Turn left here to continue west on the Colorado Trail. This spot is mile 8.0 of segment 5.