Rocky Mountain National Park's Buck Creek Trail

Buck Creek Trail

Description:
The Buck Creek Trail begins from the Beaver Point Trail at an elevation of 8,290 feet. It makes a fairly level path behind some park residences before turning northeast and climbing the ridge to the north and intersecting the Deer Mountain Trail at 8,600 feet. This little used trail travels through open sagebrush and juniper.

The trail is very faint in spots particularly at the beginning. It starts by a low structure about a tenth of a mile from the east entrance road. The trail is not obvious here. Just head northeast from the structure until you pick up the trail. It passes by a small tank just above a park residence. This is prime mule deer habitat and you'll often see them in this area. The trail intersects High Drive above another residence. Turn right and travel down the road to where the trail takes off up the ridge opposite a garage type building. The trail makes a moderate climb up the ridge to its intersection with the Deer Mountain Trail. It is pretty eroded along this stretch and can be steep in spots. You get great views of the area around the east entrance to the park.

Features:

Length:	1.64 miles (2.64 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,159' - 8,609'
Elevation change:	685 feet
Season:	May 1 - Nov 15
Difficulty:	Easy to moderate
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	Longs Peak, Estes Park
Trailheads:	Upper Beaver Meadows Road
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Buck Creek Trail most easily reached from the East Entrance Road, opposite the Upper Beaver Meadows turnoff. Take Highway 36 about 1.2 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Upper Beaver Meadows Road (gravel). There is a parking area on the east side of Highway 36. Follow the Beaver Point Trail east for about .1 miles to a low structure. Head northeast until you pick up the trail.

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