RT Length: 14.59 miles
Elevation Gain: 4380’
This was a fun hike and much easier than I’d anticipated. It was mostly class 1, with a class 2 ridge. I parked at the Buffalo Mountain Trailhead and was on the trail at 5am. The parking is to the north of the trailhead, so I had to cross the road to get there.
I followed the trail northwest, through a burn area
I came to a junction, and followed it northwest, towards the South Willow Creek Trail
After hiking a short distance, I suddenly started losing elevation. I descended 425’ to South Willow Creek
The trail was rocky, and a bit difficult to follow. There was a cairn that was helpful, letting me know when to continue descending
Crossing South Willow Creek posed another challenge. There were bridges here, but they were all ‘out’. My best advice is to cross every one you see, and the trail will pick up to the northwest.
I quickly came to another junction. This time I went left, following Gore Range Trail 60 west.
This trail would eventually take me to treeline, and a small pond at 11400’. It was about 5.5 miles of hiking from the trailhead to the pond, on a class 1 trail that was easy to follow.
Oh, and one more junction, where I stayed on Gore Range Trail 60
Here are some pictures of the way to treeline
Once at treeline, I came to an unnamed pond. I skirted the pond to the right, on a trail, and followed this trail northwest to Red Buffalo Pass.
From the pass I turned right, and began heading up the ridge. I was surprised to find a faint trail here. There’s a trail on 95% of this ridge to the summit, although it can be difficult to see at times. This is all class 2, and if you find yourself in class 3 territory you’re off route. Here are some pictures of the ridge.
I now followed the ridge east towards the summit. Still class 2, staying on the ridge proper
I summited Red Peak at 9am
Red Peak:
This was the only peak I was doing today, I turned around and headed back down the ridge
Now to head south, back towards Buffalo Pass.
Back at the pass, I turned left and followed the class 1 trail back to the pond.
At the pond several trails intersected, with no signs. I took the one that headed northeast, which was Gore Range Trail 60.
I followed this trail east back to the trailhead
Crossing back over South Willow Creek
Ugh… regaining those 425’ of elevation at the end was a bummer
Then heading back through the burn area towards Buffalo Mountain Trailhead
I made it back to the trailhead at 12:30pm, making this a 14.59 mile hike with 4380’ of elevation gain in 7.5 hours.
On to the next trailhead!
Wild Wanderer 