Pine or Deckers as a place to meet (Lost Creek Wilderness)
 

Four of us are planning a backpacking trip in the Lost Creek Wilderness second week of June. One guy is driving up from Arizona and will meet the rest of us <i>somewhere</i>, which is what this posting is about.

We plan to camp the night before the hike at the Goose Creek Campground. According to the Forest Service website the closest town is Deckers, but from what I can tell online there isn't anyplace there to meet, like a pub or restaurant. Is this true?

The next closest town looks to be Pine, which is accessed south of Highway 285, several miles past Conifer. This has a couple of places, like the Bucksnort Saloon, that could make a good meeting spot. I'm leaning towards that.

The second question: presuming the Arizona guy is driving I-25, it looks like the best way to get to there would be to come all the way up to C-470 and pick up 285 near Morrison. Correct?

Thanks.

Checking the maps, it looks like he should get off I-25 in Colorado Springs onto US 24. Take 67 north from Woodland Park to get to Deckers.

Yes, I guess that route makes sense.

The only issue is if we decide to meet in Pine at the Bucksnort Saloon instead of in Deckers then he'll have about 30 miles of backtracking to do to return the trailhead. I'll let him know the options and he can decide.

Thanks.

We fished out of Deckers and my memory is that there is a fly shop and a restaurant (maybe!!). It is a crossroads, and in the boonies.
Deckers is fine as a meeting place. It IS on a map and I guess you will be in a vehicle he can identify. He certainly doesn't need to come all the way up to south Denver and go back down. The roads are equally narrow and windy once you get off the bigger ones.
I think the restaurant must have been closed when we were there and I will say that the porta potties available were the NASTIEST I have ever ever seen!! I was NOT LOL!!
Really pretty stream to fish!!

Thanks Gretchen. Yes, it looks like nothing in Deckers if we want to have a meal and beer together before heading into the back-country for 5 days. Pine is the best place.

Another option is for him to come up 285 all the way from Santa Fe. Google says that would be about the same amount of time as the I-25 route anyway. I'll e-mail him with the options and see how he plans to go.

This is a corner of Colorado I've not been in much. Should be fun.

Yes, 285 might work as well.
Yes, I can see the need for a little sustenance before striking out. I will say that 30 miles on those back roads are challenging, but that is why you are going backpacking!!

Yanno, here is the fly shop in Deckers. You could call them for first hand information on the crossroads!! It is a NICE shop so they obviously get good traffic.
Good luck.
http://www.southplatteoutfitters.com/

He's planning to come up 285, so we'll meet in Pine at the Bucksnort Saloon.

Thanks again.

All solved. Good. ;o)