The Ben Tyler Trailhead offers access to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area via the Ben Tyler Trail. Beginning at the Ben Tyler Trailhead, the trail climbs steeply in a series of switchbacks. Please do not cut across these switchbacks. After the last switchback, the trail becomes less steep up to a crossing of Ben Tyler Creek. At this point the trail gradient increases and the valley tightens. There are few areas along this section of trail suitable for camping. The final section up to the Craig Park Trail junction is a series of long switchbacks that, when traversing east, offer spectacular views down Ben Tyler Gulch. The Craig Park Trail junction is marked by a sign indicating the Craig Park Trail to the left (east), and the Ben Tyler Trail to the right (west). The trail continues to climb, crossing Ben Tyler Creek again, to a high saddle above tree line, which offers some spectacular views. From here the trail descends to the south into the Rock Creek drainage. As you near the trailhead, you pass the remains of an old lumber camp. At the small Rock Creek Trailhead, you can continue hiking down the road and, where the road leaves the creek, continue following the trail down along the creek to join the Colorado Trail a short distance downstream.

Please visit the U.S. Forest Service website for information on Wilderness Area restrictions.

Directions:

Go 6.8 miles west of Bailey on US 285 and the trailhead will be on the left (south) side of the highway. This roadside trailhead has limited parking.