Set aside by U.S. Congress in 1993, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is a wilderness area in central Colorado.  The area is named for the 13,000 foot-high volcanic mountains, East Buffalo Peak and West Buffalo Peak.  The area lacks soaring heights and jagged mountain landscapes and is perhaps not as photogenic as other wilderness areas in Colorado, but Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area more than makes up for it in solitude and rolling alpine beauty. 

Indeed, solitude may be the main draw of Buffalo Peaks.  The area is far from major population centers, so chances are, you will be able to enjoy the wide-open meadows, beaver ponds, small creeks and pine forests in quiet isolation.  (we only saw a couple other hikers during two days in Buffalo Meadows, for example)

Hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing and fishing are the main activities.  Bikes and other forms of mechanical transport are not allowed in wilderness areas.

What to Do There

If your interest is in hiking, there are several trails to choose from that will take you up to the high altitude meadows of Buffalo Peaks Wilderness.  The Rich Creek Trailhead on FR 425 (CR 5) allows access to Rich Creek Trail and Tumble Creek Trail.  Rich Creek Trail is the most direct route and heads west from the trailhead along Rich Creek.  Several miles of hiking will see you to the meadows and the complex series of beaver ponds.  

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Nine thousand feet high.  Ten plus miles of singletrack.  Banked turns.  Rolling hills.  Beautiful mountain views.  If you’re in decent shape and can take the altitude, there is no reason not to ride the Rampart Reservoir Trail.

Rampart Reservoir was built back in the 1960s, with the intention of providing water to nearby urban areas.  And as a major side benefit, we now have a great public recreation area.  Hikers and mountain bikers can make full use of the lakeside areas, and the trails are some of the best in the region.

I have hiked around the reservoir, and most of this information can apply to hiking as well.  But the real fun is in taking your mountain bike along the flowing singletrack.

Trail Route

You can start your loop around the reservoir at the campground or from the north side of the dam.  But the best place to start is at the Rainbow Gulch Trailhead.  The trailhead is basically a wide spot in Rampart Range Road on the way to the reservoir, but there is plenty of parking even on the busiest days.  Hop on your bike and follow Rainbow Gulch straight downhill to the reservoir trail. 

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Situated in Ute Pass, near the base of Pikes Peak, is the little town of Green Mountain Falls.  If you enjoy hideaway mountain towns, Green Mountain Falls certainly fits the bill.  And for experienced hikers, the small burg is a good starting point for several destinations.  Within walking distance you can find a pair of waterfalls, two reservoirs, various rock formations and a mountain valley called the Garden of Eden. 

What to See There

Two waterfalls are within easy walking distance of the city center.  You can find Crystal Falls due south of the Gazebo Lake, not far from the end of Boulder Street.  Catamount Falls is near the end of Hondo Avenue.  While the term "waterfall" does technically apply to both, don't expect a huge raging torrent.  The flow of water in the streams varies depending on the season and recent precipitation, but most of the time Crystal Falls and Catamount Falls amount to a simple water-flowing-down-rocks. 

The Garden of Eden is a small idyllic valley that overlooks Green Mountain Falls and upper Ute Pass.  The valley is a grassy area, bounded by granite rock formations and a stream.  Continue on Catamount Trail, and you can check out North and South Catamount Reservoirs.  From this plateau, you can also enjoy views of Pikes Peak to the south. 

Recommended Route

The locals are very strict about where you can park, and if you drive up along Belvidere and Hondo avenues you will see No-Parking and Tow-Away signs around every turn.  So park your car at the Gazebo Lake and start your hike from there. 

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