Deer Creek / Pike National Forest

Denver to Deer Creek | Hiking in Pike National Forest | Camping at Deer Creek Campground | October 2024

Once our time in Denver was up, we did one last load of laundry and then moved back into the van. Jess’ parents had left to head back to Iowa early in the morning, but we had other plans. After a relatively busy summer, we had the entire month of October without any work trips or other obligations, and we weren’t going to waste our drive out West.

But not having work trips didn’t mean I didn’t have work obligations. I had online meetings for the next two days that we had to work around. After a late checkout we ran some errands and then found our way to a park on the west side of town for my first meeting. The park was large, with lots of trails for Jess to walk Charlotte on while I worked. It was only once she started walking around that we realized we were right next to Columbine High School. They did lots of wandering around, but didn’t go to the memorial to pay respects because dogs aren’t allowed in that area.

After my work was wrapped up we drove South and West into the mountains following US-285. Because I had another meeting the next day we needed a spot with good reception, and ended up finding it at Deer Creek Campground in Pike National Forest (with help from our cell booster). For this month out West, we really didn’t have our hearts set on any specific areas or trails. All we wanted was to enjoy fall colors, visit some counties that we had never been to, and try to avoid being around leaf peepers or crowded areas. When we arrived at the Deer Creek campground, there were only a couple others camped here and plenty of open spaces, so we definitely succeeded at finding a quiet place for our first spot.

Once we had set up the van for the next two days, it was already the early afternoon, but I wanted to get out and hike. Just down the road is the trailhead for the Rosalie and Tanglewood Trails. Since I wouldn’t have enough daylight to make it to any of the nearby peaks, I decided that, rather than going for a summit goal (as much as I would have loved to), I would just use the opportunity to acclimate. We were camped at 9,000 feet after all, and it had been a long time since either of us had been up that high.

I ended up following the Tanglewood trail along a streambed up towards Rosalie saddle. The evening was very pleasant and the aspen were just past peak color. When I reached my turnaround time I had made it to about 10,000 feet. I returned to the van, where Jess made dinner, we took Charlotte for a sunset walk on the forest road, and then we settled in for the night.

The next day I had meetings in the late morning and early afternoon, which meant I was in ‘waiting mode’ for most of the morning. Unfortunately, because the meetings weren’t done until afternoon, I once again would not have enough daylight to make it to any of the peaks. But that didn’t stop me from trying. I justified it as a second acclimation hike, but I was really gunning for Rosalie peak – a 13er that offers really close views of Mount Blue Sky.

I followed the same route I had the day before and soon passed my stopping point from the day before. I also crossed paths with a recent retiree who was new to hiking but very excited to try it out. We swapped recommendations and a couple stories then headed our separate ways. I knew that making the summit was unrealistic, and as soon as I hit the headwall at the back of the valley all hope of a summit evaporated. It was steep, late, and I simply was not truly acclimated. But I made it my goal to clear the tree line enough to get some good views. And good views they were. Even on the slopes of the mountain I had great views down into Deer Creek Park and across to the neighboring ridges and mountains, all showing their golden aspen.

With sunset fast approaching, I made my way back down to the van in time for dinner. If we had stayed here another night, I might have been able to attempt the peak again, but since there wasn’t much for Jess and Charlotte to do we decided it would be time to move on. We made plans for the next day, hoping to set up camp at a free and quiet spot where we could stay through the weekend, and there I might finally have my chance to hike a 13er.