Denver, CO: Bison Peak Trail

-Mapped by Andrew Matranga

Trail Facts

• Distance: 12.4

Waypoints

BPK001

Location: 39.2847137, -105.5068741

Lost Park trailhead. Enter gate; descend to amber plains of South Fork Lost Creek

BPK002

Location: 39.2821198, -105.510582

Cross creek on rail-thin wooden footbridge

BPK003

Location: 39.2819633, -105.5099335

R @ Y following Brookside-McCurdy

BPK004

Location: 39.2800331, -105.5097504

Lost Creek Wilderness Area boundary. Hike beneath low-slung forest of lodgepole pine and spruce

BPK005

Location: 39.2698746, -105.5210419

Enter livestock gate; approach jct. of Willow Gulch and Indian Creek

BPK006

Location: 39.2572365, -105.5202942

Trail bends; continue S, skirting marshy riparian zone by Indian Creek. Photo op: Kenosha Mtns. soar into N skyline

BPK007

Location: 39.2429543, -105.5162888

Primitive, 1-tent campsite on R; good base-camp spot for dayhikes

BPK008

Location: 39.2375946, -105.5172195

Cross creek; roam through rock-strewn alpine meadow; scene to S framed by unnamed Tarryall Range peaks

BPK009

Location: 39.2319756, -105.5138168

First views of Bison Arm open to SE; note spires and wind-carved buttresses unique to Lost Creek

BPK010

Location: 39.2270241, -105.5148544

Bison Pass; L @ 3-way; continue on Brookside-
McCurdy Trail. Views of Fairplay Valley to S through conifer stands

BPK011

Location: 39.2255287, -105.5087433

Begin switchbacks; hike softly to observe CO?s largest bighorn herds

BPK012

Location: 39.2384071, -105.4977951

Bison Peak summit (12,341 ft.); postcard vistas to W across Fairplay Valley of Mosquito Range and 14ers beyond

Kenosha Mountains

Location: 39.2575378, -105.5184631

©Andrew Matranga

Meadow

Location: 39.237854, -105.5166473

Stroll through a sub-alpine meadow. ©Andrew Matranga

Bison Peak and Bison Arm

Location: 39.2520218, -105.5168839

View from the Indian Creek meadow. ©Jesse Ryan