Backscratch Trail–Spruce Creek Loop, 3 sights
9.9 mi · ▲ 1,920 ft · 4 hr 16 min
Backscratch Trail–Spruce Creek Loop, 3 sights is a 9.9-mile out-and-back in Arapaho National Forest near Fraser, CO. It climbs 1,920 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 84/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Backscratch Trail–Spruce Creek Loop, 3 sights
9.9 mi · ▲ 1,920 ft · 4 hr 16 min
Elevation 9,034–10,055 ft
Out & Back · Arapaho National Forest
Trailhead: Creekside Trail · 39.90788, -105.88105
Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 76°F / low 46° · precip 15% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:32 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 1.8 miSharp right onto Tipperary Creek, heading NW.
- 1.5 miBear left onto Backscratch Trail, heading NW.
- 1.6 miReach Spruce Creek Loop, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.6 miBear right onto Tipperary Creek, heading SE.
- 1.5 miSharp left onto Spruce Creek Loop, heading SE.
- 1.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Creekside Trail Trailhead
- Creekside Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Spruce Creek Loop 3.6 mi · ▲ 789 ft
- Creekside Loop via Creekside Trail 4 mi · ▲ 218 ft
- Deadhorse-Bearbait Road–Spruce Creek Loop, 3 sights 8.3 mi · ▲ 1,733 ft
- Creekside Loop & Flume Trail via Chainsaw Trail 8.5 mi · ▲ 436 ft
- Deadhorse Road–Spruce Creek Loop, 3 sights 13 mi · ▲ 2,474 ft
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