Contact Info
325 Rainbow Blvd.
Salida, CO 81201
- Phone:
- 719-539-3591
Basics
- Length:
- 1.5 miles
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Time:
- 1 to 1-1/2 hrs
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 8970 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 8970 feet to 9600 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 630 feet
- Season:
- Spring to Fall
Description
The trail travels southwest and intersects with the Colorado Trail #1776. At the intersection, hikers can travel south on the Colorado Trail, continue west and take the Browns Creek trail to Browns Lake or simply loop back to the Browns Creek trailhead. The loop hike is a nice 1/2 day walk.
An epidemic of mountain pine beetle has infested most of the trees around Browns Creek and Little Browns Creek. Hundreds of trees are dead and pose an extreme fire hazard. Logging and thinning of trees began during 2002 and will continue with removal of trees by contractors and fuelwood gatherers. Camp fires must be put out and visitors should be aware of extreme fire conditions in this area.
Details
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Trailhead Elevation:
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Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Highway 285, midway between Poncha Springs and Buena Vista, take County Road 270 west for 1.5 miles to a 4-way intersection. From the stop sign, continue traveling west. The road continues as County Road 272. Stay on CR 272 for approximately 2 miles. A sign at the cattle guard will indicate your entrance to National Forest lands. At the 2-mile point, watch for an intersection. At this intersection, CR 272 turns left and travels south for 1.5 miles to the Browns Creek Trailhead. From the Browns Creek Trailhead, continue traveling south on CR 272 for .25 miles to the Wagon Loop Trailhead. The trailhead is located on the right-hand side of the road.
