Bard Creek Trail

The Bard Creek Hike is a wonderful adventure through the mountain valleys in the Arapaho National Forest. Hike through aspen groves, alongside alpine creeks, through meadowlands and across rocky ridges. This excursion demands an intrepid spirit, hike through the various landscapes and through unmarked terrain. We recommend using the trail GPS to mitigate the chances of getting lost. Proper footwear and microspikes in the autumn and winter months are also suggested! Make sure you pack plenty of provisions and water to keep you energized as you trek this lengthy route. Don’t forget to leave a car or arrange pickup at the trail’s end!

Explore the new scenery every step of the way along the Bard Creek Trail. Begin your adventure from the Herman Gulch Trailhead. Briefly track along the Herman Gulch Trail before merging onto the Watrous Gulch Trail. Hike along the Watrous Gulch Creek up the forested valley until you meet an intersection. At this point, veer right and you will be diverted onto the Bard Creek Trail. Trek this route along the exposed ridges of Mount Parnassus and Bard Peak. Eventually, you will summit Silver Plume Mountain. Enjoy the overlook of the encompassing Front Range peaks before continuing along the Bard Creek Trail.

Eventually the Bard Creek Trail will guide you below the timberline and through aspen groves. Descend the route and it will merge onto the Bard Creek Road before delivering you to the trail’s end.