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A number of trail loops provide a variety of alternative trips both for duration and mileage. There are two major trailheads within a few miles of each other, both provide access to major trails. The most popular is Slavonia. This trailhead services the Mica Basin Trail (FS1162), Gilpin Lake Trail (FS1161) and Gold Creek Lake Trail (FS1150). The second trailhead is a few miles south at the end of FSR443. This trailhead services Three Island Lake Trail (FS1163) and North Lake Trail (FS1164). These two trailheads and five trails provide a lot of alternatives to enter and exit this portion of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area. Slavonia Trailhead is located in the northwest section of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area and is the most used access point to the Wilderness Area. Slavonia was a mining camp and is the most complete historical site within the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area, it is located less than a mile from the trailhead parking area. How to get there: The trailhead is a five hour drive from the Denver Metropolitan area. Take Interstate 70 west, exit from the Interstate at the Berthoud Pass exit, exit 232. Take US 40 over Berthoud Pass, through Winter Park, Granby and Kremmling; continue over Rabbit Ears Pass and then to Steamboat Springs. Drive through Steamboat Springs on US 40. As you near the north end of town CR129 will turn-off to your right (north). Take this road 17.4 miles to Glen Eden, turn right (east) on FSR400 and travel another 11.9 miles to the Slavonia Trailhead. FSR400 is an all weather road and 4 wheel drive is not required. To access the second trailhead at the end of FSR443, take FSR400 from Glen Eden for 9 miles, then turn right onto FSR443, and drive another 3.5 miles to the end of the road. The recommended trip and discussion starts at the Slavonia Trailhead. The parking area at the Slavonia Trailhead is always full during the summer, especially on weekends. The trail starts just east of the parking area. Be sure to read the rules and any new restrictions posted on the bulletin board located at the trailhead. Take the trail for several hundred yards until the trail splits. The trail to the right goes to Gold Creek Lake (FS1150). The trial to the left is known as the Mica Basin/Gilpin Lake Trail (FS1161) and goes to Gilpin Lake; our first recommended destination. Slavonia to Gilpin Lake Gilpin Lake is 4 miles from the Slavonia Trailhead. The trail is uphill starting with a gradual incline but increasing in steepness. At about 1.5 miles you will pass Mica Basin Trail (FS1162) which goes north to Mica Lake. In another .25 mile Mica Creek crosses FS1161. Since you cannot camp at Gilpin Lake there are several undeveloped places where a group can set up camp, it is recommended that you camp near the trail to Gilpin Lake. The first back country campsites (noted as campsite 1) are located on the south side of FS1611, about 2 miles from the trailhead. Even better campsites are located near FS1611 about .5 and .25 mile northwest of Gilpin Lake, noted on the Mt. Zirkel - Loop Trails map as campsites 2 and 3. Both are on the south side of the trail. Campsite 2 is just about 100 feet from the trail and campsite 3 about 300 - 400 feet off the trail, but close to the creek exiting from Gilpin Lake. Gilpin Lake is a high country lake with breathtaking views. Plan to stop for 15 - 30 minutes and enjoy. Scouts sometimes enjoy swimming in the lake; but, the question is, can your Scouts take the cold temperature? The trail continues on the east side of Gilpin Lake and works its way to the south side, where a series of switcbacks takes you up and over a nameless saddle and down to the next valley, FS1150 and Gold Creek Lake. Gilpin Lake to Trail FS1150 The trail down the south side of the saddle is steep with a number of switchbacks at different points on the trail. There is drinkable (after treatment) stream water along the way. Before reaching the valley floor the Red Dirt Pass Trail will appear on your left (FS1127). The Red Dirt Pass Trail is the recommended route to take if you plan to climb Mt. Zirkel, otherwise stay right and continue .5 mile to the valley floor, turn right on FS1150. Campsite 4 is located on the valley floor. The second trail to the left, FS1128, goes to Ute Pass and over the Continental Divide to North Park and Walden. At this point there are a number of alternative loops that can be taken depending on how many overnights you have planned for your trip. If you plan to return the next day you can continue west on FS1150. You will pass the Wyoming Trail on your left. Continue a short distance, Gold Creek Lake will appear to you left. Follow the Gold Creek Trail down to Slavonia and the original trailhead. Total mileage for this loop via Gilpin Lake is 9 miles. Wyoming Trail (FS1101) South If you have planned an extended backpack trip you can turn south and follow the Wyoming Trail (FS1101) south; there are three additional loops that can be taken depending on your trip duration. The Three Island Lake Loop, the North Lake Trail Loop and the Lost Ranger Peak/Wolverine Basin Trail Loop. The Wyoming Trail heads south, steeply up through a spruce forest. There is little drinking water available at higher elevation segments of the Wyoming Trail, fill that water bottle as you head up the trail. As you near the top the open areas increase in size and eventually level out into a wide expanse, a high open meadow. This meadow has heavy grasses and in certain areas it is quite wet, in fact a bog. Because of this grass and water combination the trail disappears frequently. Cairns have been built and posts inserted into the ground to identify the proximity of the trail. The terrain rolls with slight ups and downs, lots of grasses and flowers with intermittent aspen groves and spruce forest some distance away. A map and compass would be of assistance for this portion of the trip. The views from the trail are outstanding. Beaver Lake/Three Island Lake Loop The valley containing Beaver and Three Island Lakes appears 3.5 miles south on the Wyoming Trail. It is wide and you can see quite some distance down this valley. There is nothing to compare with hiking south from the Gold Creek Trail. Campsites and water are available down this valley, noted as campsites 5, 6 and 7. The trail (FS1163) down this valley is not evident on top because of heavy grass, but appears in a short distance; basically in the center. A stream provides good drinking water. If your group wants to camp overnight or return to the trailheads this is the place. It is 4.5 miles from the Wyoming Trail to FSR443 Trailhead and another 2 miles to the Slavonia Trailhead. North Lake Loop Continuing south on the Wyoming Trail for .75 mile you will intersect with the North Lake Trail (FS1164) on your right. There are two decent campsites in the immediate area. The first and nearest, is at a small lake about 300 feet down the North Lake Trail. It is on your right at a small lake which is unnamed on the Mt. Zirkel - Loop Trails map, noted as campsite 8. The next site is at North Lake which is another 1 mile west of the Wyoming Trail, noted as campsite 11. Your can camp at North lake (there is no .25 mile minimum distance limit for a campsite). Several campsites are located on the west side of this lake. If you want to return to the trailhead it is 4.5 miles to FSR443 Trailhead and another 2 miles to the Slavonia Trailhead. Lost Ranger Peak; Pristine, Ptarmigan, Wolverine Lakes Loop The next loop is more difficult due to elevation gains and steepness of the return trail via Pristine, Ptarmigan, Wolverine and North Lakes. Follow the Wyoming Trail south from the North Lake Trail intersection, near campsite 8; you will cross a large grassy meadow to the base of Lost Ranger Peak. This meadow has lots of water and grass which inhibits a trail; although you can see the trail on the side of the hill leading up to the peak, set your visual bearing for that trail and move out. It is about a mile to the top of Lost Ranger Peak. The view is wonderful from the top of this peak; a good place for lunch. The total distance of this loop to North Lake is 6 miles. Hike across the top of Lost Ranger Peak and follow the Wyoming Trail another mile south. There will be a narrow entrance to your right that will take you down into the valley containing Pristine, Ptarmigan and Wolverine Lakes; it is easy to miss since there is no trail until you reach Pristine Lake. A topographical map is suggested to verify where to turn right (west) off the Wyoming Trail. There is a lot of boulder hopping for .5 mile, then the valley trail reappears on the west side of Pristine Lake. There are few trees at this lake, better campsites are at Ptarmigan and Wolverine Lakes, noted on the map as campsites 9 and 10. There is good water all the way down the valley; stream water for drinking is available above Pristine Lake from snowmelt. A good trail continues down to Ptarmigan Lake. The trail splits and goes to both sides of this lake. Excellent campsites are located on the east side of Ptarmigan Lake. As you leave Ptarmigan Lake the trail goes into a marshy area, it is easy to lose the trail going to Wolverine Lake. Stay to the far left out of the marsh in order to stay on the trail to Wolverine Lake. Wolverine Lake provides good campsites on the north and east sides of the lake. There is good fishing for cutthroat trout up to seventeen inches long. There is a sandy beach on the east side of Wolverine Lake. The trail from Wolverine Lake to North Lake descends to Wolverine Creek, then It is uphill for 1.5 miles to North Lake. As mentioned earlier there are good campsites at North Lake. North Lake Trail back to the trailhead on FSR443 is 4.5 miles, it is another 2 miles to the Slavonia Trailhead. Notes: These four loops can be used in any combination for entrance to this section of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area. Water is readily available even during the month of August. Only in the higher areas, such as Lost Ranger Peak, is there a lack of water.
Created on: 2024-09-08 12:51:49