South Texas Creek

Published with permission from the guide book: Mellow Mountain Trails Hiking Guide to Colorado’s Upper Arkansas River Valley

by Nathan Ward.

• Featuring 27 Fun Day Hikes in Buena Vista & Salida – beginner to expert..
• Maps and Elevation Profiles for each ride, including altitude gain and loss.
• Local Advice on riding areas and seasons, where to sleep, where to soak, where to find the best pizza, the best coffee and the best bars in Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado.

South Texas Creek Photo Gallery

South Texas Creek Mileage Log

0.0 Trailhead – from the top of Cottonwood Pass, turn east and walk about 40 yards across the parking lot to the signboard at the bottom of the obvious singletrack headed east. Sign the trailhead register at 12,126 feet and start hiking. (N38º49.67, W106º24.50)
0.3 Trail climbs immediately above the road onto a small saddle with a big view. Walk to your right (south) toward the big cairn and not on the well-worn singletrack to the left. Follow the big cairns south along the ridgeline. The trail is a little faint and rocky.
0.4 Trails swings sharp left and drops into the beautiful alpine basin below with big peaks on the far eastern horizon. Once down in the basin, the trail follows the left hillside – look for the large cairns marking the route.
1.2 Trail goes straight down through the bushes and becomes a bit more difficult to follow, depending on the vegetation. Keep a sharp eye as the trail swings out into the middle of the valley.
1.4 Trails drops down the right here (N38º50.38, W106º24.02) as it passes through sparse forests and meadows. There are beautiful places to camp or picnic through this area.
2.1 Our hike turns around here at 11,692 feet, as the trail comes out of a grove of trees and swings left uphill. There is a small stream here – enough to fill water bottles. (N38º50.83, W106º23.65) Follow the same trail back to the trailhead.
4.2 Back at the trailhead.