I expect to need to resupply in Creede…Given the ‘hard hitch’ at Spring Creek Pass, I’m seriously considering doing the 3,000 foot descent (and then ascent) at the end of Segment 20 (trail, forest road, and so on). Am I making a mistake? (I’ll be carrying a GPS and mapbook). Pros? Cons?
tbrucia
You can hitch on the FS road as well. Lots of ATV’s and Jeeps in there. The hitch from Spring Creek to Creede is not necessarily all that hard either. Most hikers look like bums by time they get there, and that is not really a great selling point to get people to stop. However, there are bathrooms, kiosks, a campground, and parking areas at the pass. Many people stop there and you could ask them.
bearcreek
I made the choice to hitch in on the fs road, on the way down i had to walk about a mile to get a ride and on the way up i ended up walking the whole way! cars were not overly eager to help me out and they were there. this was also the end of aug/sept so the main busy time may have passed
Renee
The hike into Creede is very cool. It doesn’t start to get real steep until just out of town. In 2008 a waiter at Kip’s Restaurant was giving rides for like 10 bucks. We lucked out and hitched a ride from the edge of town to the end of the road (2 miles from the divide). It is a great hike in - definitely do it.
Jym Beam
If you don’t want to walk the entire way into town, I highly recommend coming off of the pass on a weekend day, when there will be plenty of activity. Creede can be a cool little stopping point, but understand the logistics going in, and it will be more fun. I remember exiting San Luis pass after a 18 mile day, and I really wasn’t in the mood to walk the whole way - but it was Monday evening, and I did. FWIW.
TrailGuy
