Bison Peak via Ute Creek Trail in Pike and San Isabel National Forest, CO

Hike Bison Peak via Ute Creek Trail Pike and San Isabel National Forest, CO

Class 1 12.1 miles 3900 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Aug 21, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bison Peak via Ute Creek Trail GPX Track

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Bison Peak is a prominent 12k-foot mountain with some really unique scenery that I haven't seen before in Colorado. I was looking forward to hiking this peak and take a little break from my mad dash at the 13ers. The Ute Creek Trail has a big paved parking lot and is complete with a nice bridge to cross over Tarryall Creek. Past here the trail continues to be easy to follow and well-maintained. First I started through some nice meadows along the trail as it paralleled Tarryall Road, the road I drove in on. The trail winds around into the canyon formed by Ute Creek and ascends through forest, with a brief section of sparse trees that feel more like a meadow. The trail leads for a few miles up through the forest, leaving Ute Creek and continuing up the ridge to the west of Bison Peak. After the majority of the ascent  was finished, the trail leveled out for a bit and reached a junction, where I kept right to start along the Brookside – McCurdy Trail. This trail heads east for a short wihle before ascending above treeline and gives an introduction to some of the cool rock features to come. After a few switchbacks, I emerged in wide open tundra. The trail continues east, but I left it at a cairn to head north when Bison Peak came into full view.

The short hike north to Bison Peak took me forever because I couldn't help but take a ton of photos. The gorgeous tundra was littered with amazing rock formations, including a particularly cool tower called the Bison Monolith. On the way down I wandered around extensively, but I took a more direct route down on the ascent, which is the route I included on my attached map. There are hints at social trails, but really the route requires just following tundra around the left of a major grouping of large rock outcrops/towers. Once just beneath Bison Peak, a wide rock face prevents easy access. To keep the route Class 1, continue along the base of the cliffs and reach the summit area. Spiral around the peak for a social trail to the summit block. The views were outstanding, especially with the fog I experienced.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Bison Peak
12431 ft
2431 rise

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Starting along the Ute Creek Trail.
Starting along the Ute Creek Trail.
View back at the Ute Creek Trailhead.
View back at the Ute Creek Trailhead.
View back again after hiking through some meadows at the start of the trail.
View back again after hiking through some meadows at the start of the trail.
The trail starts into the forest.
The trail starts into the forest.
And through more meadows before entering the canyon formed by Ute Creek.
And through more meadows before entering the canyon formed by Ute Creek.
Ascending Ute Creek.
Ascending Ute Creek.
Along Ute Creek.
Along Ute Creek.
Entering the Lost Creek Wilderness.
Entering the Lost Creek Wilderness.
View back along Ute Creek.
View back along Ute Creek.
The Ute Creek Trail enters a sparsely-forested section.
The Ute Creek Trail enters a sparsely-forested section.
The Ute Creek Trail continues to ascend back into the forest.
The Ute Creek Trail continues to ascend back into the forest.
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
Along the Ute Creek Trail, which heads through the forest at a moderately steep grade.
Along the Ute Creek Trail, which heads through the forest at a moderately steep grade.
Image 13 from gallery
A few switchbacks within the forest, but it's not a particularly interesting couple of miles.
A few switchbacks within the forest, but it's not a particularly interesting couple of miles.
The tundra and cool rocks of Bison Peak's southern ridge comes into view.
The tundra and cool rocks of Bison Peak's southern ridge comes into view.
View back along the Ute Creek Trail.
View back along the Ute Creek Trail.
At the junction with the Brookside - McCurdy Trail. I headed east along this trail. You can see Bison Peak (or at least one of its rock outcrops) in the distance.
At the junction with the Brookside - McCurdy Trail. I headed east along this trail. You can see Bison Peak (or at least one of its rock outcrops) in the distance.
Along the Brookside - McCurdy Trail.
Along the Brookside - McCurdy Trail.
A hint at the rock outcrops to come.
A hint at the rock outcrops to come.
Image 20 from gallery
Switchbacks up above treeline and onto the tundra above.
Switchbacks up above treeline and onto the tundra above.
View back. The trail ascended from the forest on the right in this photo.
View back. The trail ascended from the forest on the right in this photo.
After a few switchbacks, the Brookside - McCurdy Trail emerged onto tundra and continued east. This is a view north toward Bison Peak, where I left the trail and headed north.
After a few switchbacks, the Brookside - McCurdy Trail emerged onto tundra and continued east. This is a view north toward Bison Peak, where I left the trail and headed north.
Close-up at the cool rocks. Bison Peak is on the left.
Close-up at the cool rocks. Bison Peak is on the left.
Bison Monolith.
Bison Monolith.
View back the way I came (center), Bison Monolith on the left.
View back the way I came (center), Bison Monolith on the left.
Another shot back toward the Bison Monolith. My route came from the tundra in the center of this photo.
Another shot back toward the Bison Monolith. My route came from the tundra in the center of this photo.
Ascending the gorgeous landscape. I recommend staying to the left of the upcoming cluster of rock towers.
Ascending the gorgeous landscape. I recommend staying to the left of the upcoming cluster of rock towers.
View back.
View back.
View back.
View back.
Keep left of these cool towers.
Keep left of these cool towers.
View back from on the west side of the aforementioned towers. Bison Monolith visible center.
View back from on the west side of the aforementioned towers. Bison Monolith visible center.
Higher up, view back. Behind me is a steep rock outcrop. I followed its base until I could navigate to the summit without any scrambling.
Higher up, view back. Behind me is a steep rock outcrop. I followed its base until I could navigate to the summit without any scrambling.
A social trail emerged, leading through the rock outcrops and up to the summit of Bison Peak.
A social trail emerged, leading through the rock outcrops and up to the summit of Bison Peak.
View back from just below Bison Peak. McCurdy Mountain visible top left.
View back from just below Bison Peak. McCurdy Mountain visible top left.
McCurdy from the summit of Bison Peak.
McCurdy from the summit of Bison Peak.
View back down the way I came, from the tundra in the center of this photo. As you can see you can avoid all scrambling by just following the tundra and avoiding the rock towers.
View back down the way I came, from the tundra in the center of this photo. As you can see you can avoid all scrambling by just following the tundra and avoiding the rock towers.
View west.
View west.
View north.
View north.
Additional photo of some cool fog near Bison Monolith.
Additional photo of some cool fog near Bison Monolith.
More cool fog.
More cool fog.

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