Near Little Scraggy Trail
Great lunch spots abound along the Little Scraggy Trail.
Near Little Scraggy Trail
Segment 3. Good place for a tent!
Near Little Scraggy Trail
Nice and smooth...
Near Little Scraggy Trail
Lots of cool rock outcroppings are just off the tread along Little Scraggy Trail.
Near Little Scraggy Trail
How did that get there?

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Little Scraggy Trail

4.3 (4 Ratings)
This trail is the final product of years of trail work in Buffalo Creek.
9.1
mi
Distance
1,075
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Family FriendlyViewsWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
9.1mi
Distance
1,075ft
Elevation Gain
1,185ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
8,532ft
High Point
7,750ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The easiest way to reach this trail is from the Little Scraggy parking lot on FS Road 550, just west of County Road 126. Note that this is a fee parking area ($5). Free parking options are also available nearby. Another option is to start from the main Buff Creek parking lot at Forest Road 543, climb Nice Kitty and Buffalo Burn to the Little Scraggy parking lot and connect to the trail that way. This trail has been in progress for a couple of years, thanks in part to COMBA and many others. The east section of Little Scraggy Trail from the TH at FS550 to Kelsey Campground was opened in September 2014, the west section that continues on to the Colorado Trail was just completed (June 2016) and was well worth the wait! Hikers can now combine the Little Scraggy Trail with a short section of the CT segment 3 to hike the 12.6-mile Little Scraggy Trail Loop. From the Little Scraggy parking lot, the trail begins just across FS Road 550. The trail winds through the forest and is reminiscent of other trails in Buffalo Creek; the trail is easy-going and has many cool rock features to scramble on. At the first junction (5.1 miles), take the marked right fork (the left leads to the Kelsey Campground access loop) and begin a gentle climb west through additional rocky and forested sections. At 6.8 miles, you'll reach the beginning of a purpose-built MTB flow section that winds downhill. This section features good visibility and incredible views amidst cool features for another 2.5 miles to the Colorado Trail. Don't forget to check out the Little Scraggy overlook toward the end of the new section where you get great views of Little Scraggy Dome, a cool (though rarely used) rock climbing area. The next junction is with the Colorado Trail where you can turn right to complete the Little Scraggy Trail Loop back to the parking lot or turn left to continue on the Colorado Trail and to other Buffalo Creek adventures.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Little Scraggy Loop

Classic Hike Route

Little Scraggy Loop

Views
moderate
12.15 mi
+1,411 ft
Buffalo Creek Loops

Hike Route

Buffalo Creek Loops

Fall Colors
moderate
22.11 mi
+2,583 ft
Colorado Trail Segment 3

Hike Route

Colorado Trail Segment 3

strenuous
13.1 mi
+2,002 ft
Colorado Trail Segment 2

Hike Route

Colorado Trail Segment 2

Views
strenuous
9.93 mi
+2,293 ft
Pine Valley Loop

Hike Route

Pine Valley Loop

River/Creek
moderate
7.97 mi
+1,255 ft
Colorado Trail Segment 4

Hike Route

Colorado Trail Segment 4

Views
extreme
15.76 mi
+3,201 ft
Contributors
Tom Robson