Pike National Forest
Brookside - McCurdy Trail #607

At 32.6 miles, this is a long, difficult trail through some gorgeous countryside. Because of the distances involved and the elevation, this trail sees most of its action in the summer and fall.

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 8,040'
• High Point: 11,880'
• Trail ending: 7,560'

Access: In Bailey, cross the South Platte on County Road 64. You'll come to a fork in the road at about .45 miles, go left and drive about 2.2 miles to the Payne Creek / Brookside Trailhead on the south side of the road. The two trails run together for about a mile until they split with Payne Creek heading southeast into Craig Meadows and Brookside-McCurdy heading south into Craig Park.

Notes: The Brookside - McCurdy Trail is the major north-south arterial trail through the Lost Creek Wilderness. The trail crosses the Kenosha Mountains, drops down into Lost Park, then climbs into and across the Tarryalls and ends at the Twin Eagles Trailhead, southeast of Tarryall Reservoir. For most of the trail's length, you'll be inside the wilderness and wilderness rules and regs apply. Along the way, Brookside - McCurdy connects with the Craig Park Trail, Lost Park Trail, Colorado Trail, Wigwam Trail, Ute Creek Trail, Lake Park Trail, McCurdy Park Trail, and Hankins Pass Trail. Along the trail you'll see some great outcroppings of Pikes Peak red granite, different forest types, wide open parks, and some huge views in all directions (especially in the high area between Bison Peak and McCurdy Park).

USGS Maps: Shawnee, Topaz Mountain, Farnum Peak, McCurdy Mountain

Trail maps: North, Middle, South