Excellent views and good fishing are both possible along this trail. Evidence of recent and historic mining activity is visible near Carson Pass on the Continental Divide. A short but steep side trip allows one to see the mining activity on a firsthand basis. Another excellent side trip from this trail is a hike to Heart Lake. Very few good camping places are available along the upper 4.0 miles of this trail. 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.
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