Trip
Ascending Hikes – Rich Creek to Tumble Creek Trail
This hike offers a gorgeous view of the two Buffalo Peaks and surrounding mountain ranges across the valley of South Park. There are great wildflowers throughout the trail. There are stream crossings which means to bring trekking poles and water crossing shoes.
Contacts
- Tue, May 14, 2024
- Ascending Hikes Section
- Hiking
- Adults
- Challenging due to elevation gain & pace
- Challenging
- Mileage: 11.7 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,068 ft
- High Point Elevation: 11,585 ft
- Maximum Wind: 10 kts
- Pace: 2.5
- 1 (6 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Those coming from Denver, please plan to carpool or caravan. Arrive at US 285 and Mountain View CDOT Park and Ride by 5:45am. Check in and work with Terry, Trip Leader, who is driving a blue Santa Fe SUV AWD. Self-organize into carpools and depart by 6:00am. We'll meet at the trailhead by 8:00am. According to the Forest Service website, “There is a parking spot here,” at the Rich Creek trailhead, located at Latitude: 39.06824603, Longitude: -106.1164066
https://goo.gl/maps/GSxgDoWqbWJ61svd7
Proceed SB US 285. Turn onto and continue on Weston Pass Road for 8 miles. The trailhead is off the road just before we arrive at Weston Pass Campground. The road is washboarded and bumpy, but regular passenger vehicles can make it to the trailhead.
Carpool Mileage Reimbursement. (1) Estimated 130 miles round trip - use actual mileage. (2) CMC suggested driver reimbursement is 30 cents/mile for the entire vehicle = $39.00. (3) Assume 3 passengers, so divide total by 4 (to include driver) = each passenger pays to the driver $9.75 who collects $29.25.
This is a challenging hike due to these factors: (1) distance, (2) elevation gain, (3) pace, (4) potential adverse weathe conditions - rain, thunderstorms, snow, ice (4) adverse trail conditions - snowpacked, icy, deep snow (5) stream crossings - bring water crossing shoes and trekking poles. This is a challenging hike in anticipation of an early season ascent of Mount Sherman, a Colorado 14er.
Post-hike refreshment options: (1) Hungry Moose Caboose, Jefferson, CO - 55 miles from TH; (2) Fairplay, CO - 26 minutes from trailhead - (a) Otto's Restaurant for sandwiches, burgers, wings, etc (b) South Park Brewpub for refreshments and liquid libations.
Required Equipment
10 essentials. (1) Nutritions snacks, (2) water purification gear or 1L - 2L of liquids, (3) stream crossing - trekking poles and water crossing shoes, (4) warm clothing to protect against cold temperatures, afternoon rainstorms, and wind, (5) traction control devices for potential icy trail conditions.