Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville

Busk Creek

Busk CreekPhoto: Altitude10k, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.7 mi
round trip
1,408 ft
climb
10,890 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is BUSK CREEK open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Leadville Ranger District. It doesn't name BUSK CREEK, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Leadville Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Busk Creek is a moderate, out-and-back hike in the Leadville Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The route starts at about 9,987 feet and climbs to a high point of 10,890 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,408 feet for the round trip, which takes about 2.5 hours. The steepest stretch comes at roughly 2.6 miles, where the grade reaches 18%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station at a lower elevation run around 73°F for highs and 39°F for lows, and September stays mild with highs near 62°F. Winter is cold, with January highs around 31°F. The Busk Creek Trail lies just 0.2 miles away, and May Queen campground is 0.3 miles off. Glacier Creek Skinner Hut Trail 1510 is 0.8 miles away, and Lake Fork, a canoeing spot, is about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    May Queen

    Campground

    Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    La Mina Tacos Y Mariscos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 8 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Craig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit BUSK CREEK

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 3°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 3°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 9°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      44° / 18°

      8 wet

    5. May

      55° / 27°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 39°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 23°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 6°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 3.9 mi away at 9,738 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Busk Creek TrailPhoto: Altitude10k, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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