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TRAIL DESCRIPTION NOTE: This description begins at the trailhead parking area and sign just off Lost Park Road. A side trail, marked as the Long Gulch Trail, goes 0.2 mile up the hillside to intersect The Colorado Trail. Thru-hikers will not encounter this trailhead unless they make a specific detour to it. From the trailhead, cross the creek on a small bridge and go uphill for 0.2 mile to the CT, mile 0.0 (10,176 feet). Westbound hikers will turn left at this well-marked intersection. There is a good campsite near here, with water available from the fast-moving creek. Cross the creek about 300 feet past the intersection. The trail enters the Lost Creek Wilderness Area at mile 0.3 (10,263). Then at mile 1.6 (10,380) it heads through a mixed aspen-fir forest with some bristlecone pines. Cross a seasonal stream at mile 2.9 (10,366). There is a good campsite nearby. Cross a marshy area at mile 3.1 (10,387) and streams at mile 3.9 (10,347) and mile 4.5 (10,258). There is another creek at mile 5.3 (10,174) with several good campsites. The CT leaves the Lost Creek Wilderness Area at mile 6.6 (9,816) and crosses Rock Creek at mile 7.3 (9,534) where users should refill their bottles. Turn left when intersecting the Ben Tyler Trail at mile 7.4 (9,519). Ranch buildings are visible ahead. Pass through a Forest Service gate at mile 7.6 (9,555), continue to the Rock Creek Trailhead at mile 8.0 (9,726), and cross the road. Cross Johnson Gulch and a small, seasonal stream at mile 8.4 (9,521). This possible water source is the last until Kenosha Pass and there’s room to camp. Just past the stream, the CT crosses a jeep road and eventually passes through a stand of large aspen trees. At mile 10.6 (9,956) continue straight on the CT at a T road intersection. There are great views of the mountains to the south and west and toward the town of Jefferson. The trail eventually reaches a parking area at mile 14.4 (10,010). It continues to the left, and after crossing US Hwy 285, reaches the end of Segment 5 at mile 14.6 (9,969).
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