Stream/Creek

Location: Lost Trail Creek

Elevation: 9800-12000

Restrictions: Must have Colorado Fishing License to fish.

Seasonal Accessibility: Late Spring/Summer/Fall

Access: HorseBack, Hike, Mountain Bike, Motorcycle/Dirtbike, ATV

Driving Directions: Directions from Creede, CO. Travel west on State Hwy 149 for 19 miles. Turn left and travel west 17 miles on Forest Road 520. Park at the Lost Trail trailhead. Travel up Trail 821 3 miles. The heart lake trail starts here and ends at the lake.

Hiking Directions: The Lost Trail is 11 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 520. Excellent views and good fishing are both possible along this trail. The trail junction with FDR#520 is well signed. The trail begins with a gradual stroll or ride through open parks and aspen patches. After about 1.5 miles, the trail will begin to drop slightly down, gradually getting closer and paralleling Lost Trail Creek. The trail junction with FDT#822 (West Lost Trail Creek) is located here; FDT#822 is a motorcycle only trail-No ATV’s. Continue northward up Lost Trail Creek. Shortly, the trail will cross the creek and make a short steep climb away from the creek bottom. The creek crossing can be dangerous during the early summer runoff. The trail continues, passing through a log fence and then after 0.25 to 0.5 mile, enters a small open park where FDT#823 (Heart Lake Trail) begins. FDT#823 is a non-motorized trail. After meeting FDT#823 (Heart Lake Trail), Lost Trail Creek Trail turns westward and begins entering a mixed aspen and spruce/fir timber stand. The trail will then enter the long park bottom of Lost Trail Creek, old and new mining activity can now be seen in the distance, toward Carson Pass, Continental Divide. The trail continues up the drainage at a fairly level grade for another 2.0 miles. The trail then makes a sharp, steep climb out of the drainage bottom towards and along the Continental Divide.