Cripple Creek Trail 703
A good year-round opportunity for fun. Easy access only about a mile off the pavement. After passing STRAIGHT through Three Lynx, climb to the saddle. The trail is on your left. If you drive downhill at all you have gone too far.
There is usually year round access to the trailhead. As the trail leads to the high country you will encounter snow at some point during the Winter and early Spring. An effort is made to keep this trail clear of fallen trees and debris to the snow during the Winter.
This is a great way to access the high country by foot rather than miles and miles of gravel road driving. The trail also clears of snow weeks before the 4635 road.
Connects with several other trails once on top: Cache Meadow Trail 702, Grouse Point Trail 517, and indirectly Rimrock Trail 704.
WHALEHEAD RISING IN THE DISTANCE
It is possible but not recommended to start the hike at Hwy 224 just across the Sandstone Bridge (the fourth green steel bridge crossed from Estacada). Park on the right at the east end of the bridge. Cross the highway and follow the closed off road to a camping area. Go left across the creek and follow the old road up the bank about 50 feet. A trail departs on the right. Follow this trail up to an old railroad grade. Turn right and follow the grade about half a mile passing an alder bog on the right. Just past the bog as the grade tends right look for a trail going up a shallow draw to the left. Climb up to the improved Pipeline Road and go over the aqueduct (10 foot diameter iron pipe). Cripple Creek Trailhead is on the right.
Map Courtesy of Paul Turner
Copyright 2008 Trail Advocates