The trail junction with Forest Development Road # 520 (Upper Rio Grande Road) is well signed. The trail begins with a gradual stroll through open parks and aspen patches. After about 1.5 miles, the trail will begin to drop slightly down, gradually getting closer and paralleling Lost Trail Creek. The trail junction with West Lost Trail Creek is located here.

Continue northward up Lost Trail Creek. Shortly, the trail will cross the creek and make a short steep climb away from the creek bottom. The creek crossing can be dangerous during the early summer runoff.

The trail continues, passing through a log fence and then after 0.25 to 0.5 mile, enters a small open park where the Heart Lake Trail begins. After meeting the Heart Lake Trail (# 823), Lost Trail Creek Trail turns westward and begins entering a mixed aspen and spruce/fir timber stand. The trail will climb gradually through the trees for about 1.0 mile. The trail will then enter the long open park bottom of Lost Trail Creek, old and new mining activity can now be seen in the distance, toward Carson Pass, Continental Divide.

The trail continues up the drainage at a fairly level grade for another 2.0 miles from the end of the road. The trail then makes a sharp, steep climb out of the drainage bottom toward and along the Continental Divide. After another mile of travel, the trail will meet the West Lost Trail Creek Trail and the Cataract Lake Trail. The last 3.0 miles of the Lost Trail Creek Trail is sometimes not defined by a definite tread. Stock driveway signs will help guide the trail user.

Heart Lake Road 518.1b - Vehicle access ends on a flat bench overlooking Heart Lake which lies down in a bowl just below timberline. Good trout fishing and beautiful mountain scenery greets any visitor.

Heart Lake Trail - Good views of Fingers Mesa and Pole Mountain. The trail travels through a few small open parks but primarily stays in mixed aspen and spruce/fir stands.

Lost Trail Campground - The campground is located 38.2 miles southwest of Creede on Forest Road 520. There are numerous attractions to tempt the camper.

Ute Creek Trail - This trail is the major access route into the vast Ute Basin Area. Four major fishable lakes sit in the beautiful basin. The Ute Trail is a popular route with Weminuche Wilderness visitors.

West Lost Trail Creek - Beautiful views of Pole Mountain and vast panoramic views are possible once a hiker begins approaching the Continental Divide. This trail provides the shortest access to Cataract Lake from the Rio Grande River drainage.

West Pole Creek Trail - Excellent views and an excellent assortment of wildflowers can be found in the West Pole Drainage. Few people hike in the West Pole Area. Hiking this trail is basically a cross-country type experience.