Trail #1150

Gold Creek Lake, named in the late 1800's by an early explorer named Charles Franz, is a popular destination within the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. It offers a beautiful 8 acre lake thickly forested by fir and lodgepole. Heavily shaded, the trail winds through thick forest, passes a 35 foot waterfall, and follows Gold Creek most of the way to the lake. Due to the popularity and the easy accessibility of this trail, this area receives some of the highest use of any area in this wilderness. This trail is not suggested if you are seeking solitude. Overuse and abuse have led to implementing special regulations in hopes of revegetation. Regulations prohibit camping within 1/4 mile of the lake. Please camp elsewhere using low impact techniques or visit Gold Creek Lake on day hikes.

Beginning your hike at Slavonia on the 1161, the trail will quickly fork; stay right to begin Gold Creek Lake Trail 1150, turn left to remain on 1161 accessing either Gilpin Lake or Mica Lake Trail #1162 further up the trail. Continuing with the 1150 trail, you will enter the Mount Zirkel Wilderness after 1.00 miles. Once you've reached the north end of the lake, the trail forks east (right) continuing towards the continental divide (1101) or north (straight) continuing on 1150. Continuing on 1150, the trail will fork again. Remaining on 1150, you travel on a fading trail towards Ute Pass and Red Dirt Pass. If you turn left at the fork, you have joined 1161, Gilpin Lake Trail which will take you back to the Slavonia trailhead.

Basic Directions

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