Payne Creek Trail #637 - Colorado Springs, CO

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Payne Creek Trail #637


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Payne Creek Trail #637 provides access into the northeast portion of the Lost Creek Wilderness. It is a relatively gentle trail overall, climbing gradually through ponderosa and lodgepole pine forests and aspen groves, and then descending into open meadows along Craig Creek. There are sites suitable for overnight camping in Craig Meadows.

Leaving the trailhead near Bailey, the Payne Creek Trail and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail rise gently and soon reach a trail junction at the foot of a large private meadow. Here the two trails diverge, with the Payne Creek Trail bearing left and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail bearing right. The trail crosses a small drainage and then rises gradually along the west side of Payne Gulch, crossing the wilderness boundary.

The next stretch from the Payne Creek crossing to the high point is fairly steep as the trail climbs up an old logging road. This climb puts hikers into an aspen grove, which is a great place to take a break. The trail now begins to descend into the Craig Creek drainage. In the large open meadow along Craig Creek, the trail first runs down the north side of the creek, then crosses to the south. The trail then continues in a southeasterly direction until you reach the Bluestem Draw flowing north into Craig Creek. Shortly thereafter, the trail crosses another unnamed drainage flowing north into Craig Creek and begins to climb out of the Craig Creek drainage to meet the Colorado Trail.

Facilities: There are no facilities available along Payne Creek Trail #637.

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted to use Payne Creek Trail #637.

Best Time To Visit: Payne Creek Trail #637 is open all year but its best times are, spring, summer and fall

Fees: A parking fee may be charged.

Accessibility: Parts of the trail are handicap accessible.

Rules: Because most of the Payne Creek Trail is in designated wilderness, Wilderness regulations apply.

Directions: To get to Payne Creek Trail #637 from:

Denver Drive west from Denver on US Highway 285 for 30 miles to the town of Bailey. In the center of Bailey, turn off Highway 285 opposite the Post Office onto Park County 64. As you turn off Highway 285, the road crosses the North Fork of the South Platte River and passes between the Post Office and Moore Lumber. After driving .45 miles, you will reach a "Y". Bear left on the gravel road and drive an additional 1.6 miles to the trailhead parking area. This parking area serves as the trailhead for the Payne Creek Trail and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail.

Colorado Springs drive north on I-25 to Denver. Drive west from Denver on US 285 for 30 miles to the town of Bailey. In the center of Bailey, turn off Highway 285 opposite the Post Office onto Park County 64. As you turn off Highway 285, the road crosses the North Fork of the South Platte River and passes between the Post Office and Moore Lumber. After driving .45 miles, you will reach a "Y". Bear left on the gravel road and drive an additional 1.6 miles to the trailhead parking area. This parking area serves as the trailhead for the Payne Creek Trail and the Brookside-McCurdy Trail.

Attractions Near
Payne Creek Trail #637

Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607
Long Gulch Trailhead to North Fork Trailhead
Lost Creek Wilderness
The Pike and San Isabel National Forests and The Comanche National Grassland

Address

South Platte Ranger District

19316 Goddard Ranch Court

Morrison, Colorado 80465

Phone
General: (303) 275-5610

Website

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