Thompson Mountain Trail System, South Trailhead - Wilson Creek Trail
Moderate lollipop hike around Thompson Mountain from the Wilson Creek Trail trailhead, 7.5 miles, 1500', remote location with beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Pikes Peak.
Access the Thompson Mountain Trail System a few miles northwest of Canon City on CR 69 to the South Trail Head at Wilson Creek Trail or the North Trail Head at Thompson Mountain Trail. The trails pass through meadows with water tanks for cattle, scrub oak with cacti, rock outcroppings and Ponderosa Pine with some Douglas Fur at higher elevations. Access to the South Trail Head is from Fremont CR 69 that is on a well maintained dirt road that 2WD cars can easily maneuver, to BLM road #5827 that is a short rutted dirt road that requires precision driving on dry roads with an AWD or 4WD vehicle. Only skilled 4WD drivers should attempt road 5827 when muddy or snow covered.
The Thompson Mountain Trail System is in the Deer Haven BLM area. Accessing State Land requires person 18 and older to possess a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license or a State Wildlife Pass.
Ranchers run cattle on the land through leases and the trail system is popular with equestrians so hikers may encounter cows and people on horseback.
From the trailhead, the hike from the Wilson Creek Trail trailhead follows rolling terrain passing through a gated fence. After passing through the gate, the trail is usually easy to follow with some areas well marked with BLM trail signs while sometimes the trail is faint with the need to follow the hike with a downloaded GPS track. The second trail sign to be encountered is at a trail junction of Water Tank Trail and Thompson Mountain Trail. Take the Water Tank Trail to the left. Stay on this trail as it goes around Thompson Mountain which is an 8740' forested mountain with a rocky summit that can be difficult to see through the trees. Follow the Water Tank Trail loop until you return back to the trail junction sign with then returning to the trailhead via the Wilson Creek Trail.
- Suitable Activities: Hiking
- Seasons: Year-round
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 7.5 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
- 8,683 ft
- Land Manager: Bureau of Land Management
- Parking Permit Required: BLM Permits & Passes
- Recommended Party Size: 10
- Maximum Party Size: 10
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 10
- BLM CO RGFO Deer Haven Map
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- Thompson Mountain Trail System, North Trailhead - Thompson Mountain Trail
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