Colorado · Hiking · Near Idaho Springs

Bard Creek

Bard CreekPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
19.3 mi
round trip
774 ft
climb
12,027 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Bard Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bard Creek is a hard out-and-back hike of about 19 miles on natural surface in the Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. The route runs from a low point of about 10,100 feet to a high of about 12,000 feet, with an elevation gain of roughly 770 feet one way. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and is open from June 1 to September 30. Bikes and horses are both allowed on the route, which makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Watrous Gulch lies just 0.3 miles away, and Mount Parnassus is about 1.3 miles off. For overnight stays, Mizpah Campground is roughly 5 miles away, and West Slabs offers climbing at a similar distance.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Mizpah Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    511 Rose

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rainsUser:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Hamill House Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 7 mi

    Historic house-museum in Georgetown, Colorado, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Idaho Springs

Go with a guide

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Watrous GulchPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Watrous Gulch

Next door

4.26-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,611 ft elevation gain.

Mount ParnassusPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mount Parnassus

~2 min drive

Route to the summit of Mount Parnassus (13,579 ft) from Herman Gulch Trailhead.

West Ridge TrailPhoto: glennharper, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

West Ridge Trail

~7 min drive

1.36-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 400 ft of elevation gain.

Torreys PeakPhoto: MCA / Mike Allyn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Torreys Peak

~8 min drive

Standard route to Torreys Peak (14,267 ft) from Grays Peak Trailhead (Stevens Gulch).

Upper lakes to GraysPhoto: QKC, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Upper lakes to Grays

~11 min drive

1.38-mile out-and-back from Upper lakes to Grays in Colorado

Kearney GulchPhoto: roland, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Kearney Gulch

~3 min drive

3.49-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,232 ft gain.

Pass LakePhoto: Kimaz2412, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pass Lake

~8 min drive

0.73-mile out-and-back trail to Pass Lake in Colorado's White River National Forest.

Mount EdwardsPhoto: QKC, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Edwards

~13 min drive

Route to the summit of Mount Edwards (13,839 ft) from Argentine Pass Trailhead.

CupidPhoto: glennharper, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cupid

~7 min drive

Route to the summit of Cupid (13,117 ft) from Loveland Pass Trailhead.

Grays PeakPhoto: MCA / Mike Allyn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grays Peak

~8 min drive

Standard route to Grays Peak (14,270 ft) from Grays Peak Trailhead (Stevens Gulch).