Pike National Forest
Ben Tyler Trail #606

This more-difficult to most-difficult trail is about 11.4 miles long one way. It sees most of its traffic in summer and fall.

Elevations:

• North Trailhead: 8,260'
• High Point: 11,650'
• South Trailhead: 9,550'

Access: The north trailhead is near Singleton, just west of Shawnee on US 285. The south trailhead is at the Rock Creek Trailhead (from US 285 go east 7.3 miles on the Lost Park Road to Forest Road 133, then go north 1 mile to Rock Creek Trailhead, or go on another mile on rough, narrow road to a small trailhead on the Ben Tyler Trail). The Colorado Trail passes near the south Ben Tyler Trailhead.

Notes: The Ben Tyler Trail crosses the Kenosha Mountains just beyond the northern boundary of the Lost Creek Wilderness. The rise from Rock Creek to a high saddle above treeline on the ridgline isn't a bad hike. The views from the ridgeline are spectacular, then you drop down through switchback after switchback after switchback to the junction with the Craig Park Trail. Follow the signs because the Ben Tyler Trail soon turns off to the northeast and drops through some more long switchbacks into Ben Tyler Gulch. There are a few spots in here that are good for camping but the trail soon crosses Ben Tyler Creek and goes down through more steep switchbacks to the northern trailhead.

USGS Maps: Shawnee, Mount Logan, Observatory Rock

Trail map