Lower Hunter Creek Trail

Head out into the wilderness and let the fresh mountain air fill your lungs as you venture the Lower Hunter Creek Trail. This amazing hike reveals awe-inspiring scenery of the encompassing verdant woodlands and looming peaks. Ideal for families, novice hikers, and those acclimatizing to the area’s elevation, this trek does present inherent challenges. Traveling along the waters of Hunter Creek, the terrain is rocky and demands some navigating over boulders and stones. We highly suggest wearing a pair of sturdy footwear! When hiking in the late fall or winter months, wear a pair of microspikes or snowshoes to safely navigate the likely snow-packed and icy terrain.

Well-maintained, manageable, and incredibly scenic, the Lower Hunter Creek Trail presents the perfect excuse to get the family away from screens and into nature. With ample alpine scenery to ogle and lush woodlands to explore, this picturesque trek warrants countless photo opportunities, so be sure to charge your camera! Equipped with boardwalks, stone steps, tributary crossings, and limited elevation gain, this stimulating adventure is sure to impress. Though accessible year-round, we’ll let you in on a secret… this trail is most beautiful in the autumn when the aspens are at their peak vibrance! We love this hike, and once you try it, we know you will too.

Embark on your adventure along the Lower Hunter Creek Trail from the signposted trailhead off Lone Pine Road. From here, hikers will be guided northeast past a community of condos and beneath the timberline. Enjoy the sights of the towering trees as you near Hunter Creek. Conveniently located in Aspen, you will likely be hiking in the company of other adventurers. Let the sounds of the gurgling waters of the stream lull you into a state of relaxation as you climb further into the wilderness.

Eventually, you will cross over Hunter Creek a few times as you near the trail’s end, but don’t worry– there are log bridges. Revel in the sights of the looming mountains as they peek through the tree breaks. Continue tracking northeast through the woodlands, minding your footing on the rocky terrain. You will meet the turnaround point at the junction with BLM Access Trail and the Hunter Valley Trail. If you still have some energy left in reserve, then we urge you to continue exploring along the Hunter Valley Trail! If not, simply retrace your footing along the path all the way back to the trailhead, marking the end of your adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs permitted on the Lower Hunter Creek Trail?

Yes, your pup is permitted on the Lower Hunter Creek Trail if they are on leash.

Is the Lower Hunter Creek Trail a challenging hike?

No, the Hunter Creek Trail is a relatively easy adventure through the woodlands and along the gurgling creek. Note sections of the trek are rocky, so mind your footing!