The Adventuring Heidi

The Zirkel Circle

I have a blog post to come explaining how my big summer plans imploded, but until then…

I have a basic bucket list of overnight backpacking trips I want to take or hikes I want to do, and the Zirkel Circle has lived on that list for several years now. In the final 48 hours of having an intact shoulder, I finally got to check this one off with my only backpacking trip of the year. I did not do the trip with an expectation of blogging it, so I didn’t take a ton of photos like I may typically, and I do not think I’ll write a lot about it, aside that it was a wonderful two day/one night trip!

Located in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness near Steamboat Springs, the Zirkel Circle (or Mount Zirkel Loop) is roughly 11 miles total with 2,500 feet of elevation gain (though my watch ended up about 12 miles and 3,000 feet of elevation gain). Many choose to day hike it, which is completely doable. However, it makes for a great, mellow overnight backpacking trip, with options to add on some mountain summits or explore the more in depth over more nights if one chooses to do so. The trail, being a circle, can be hiked in either direction. We did counterclockwise, which I heard is the best way, but I have no scientific proof of that. The trail passes by two lakes, Gold Creek Lake and Gilpin Lake, with the former have some great alpine views. There are numerous crossings of Gold Creek and Gilpin Creek, with rock hopping and logs aiding the way.

Link to a map of the wilderness area, trail, and trailheads: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/legacy-media/mrtb/MtZirkelWildernessMap_Camping_SlavoniaArea.pdf

Weekend details:
Trailhead: Slavonia

Day 1:
June 26, 2026
4.32 miles / 1,522 feet of elevation gain
Camped about a mile after Gold Creek Lake

Day 2:
June 27, 2026
7.49 miles / 1,565 feet of elevation gain

A vibrant red paintbrush flower with elongated petals, surrounded by green foliage.
Giant red Indian paintbrush
A close-up of a tall green plant with elongated, ridged leaves growing among other lush greenery in a forested area.
Veratrum californicum (California false hellebore), which is actually extremely poisonous if you graze on it.
A lush area of green ferns and large leafy plants in a forest setting.
Ferns!!
A close-up of a delicate white and lavender flower with prominent yellow stamens, surrounded by lush green foliage.
Columbine
This is really just a foliage blog…

We started the trail around 3pm, which seems late because it probably is, but we had gorgeous weather and not too far to go. The trail is fairly cruisy, but will climb in elevation regardless of which direction is chosen. As we neared Gold Creek Lake, the blowdowns began. I think we ended up going over, around, and under over fifty in total, but we would take it, as just the weekend prior people were reporting a 100+ across the trail (thanks trail crew for clearing them!). Camp was made in a meadow with a small stream about a mile after we left Gold Creek Lake. I loved having a water source close, and it was pretty private until hikers came through the next morning.

A scenic forest pathway surrounded by lush greenery, including trees and dense foliage, under a partly cloudy sky.
This was a lush trail, which didn’t seem very Colorado like!
A cascading waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and trees in a natural setting.
A snack break was taken overlooking this great waterfall on Gold Creek. I love me a good waterfall!
A serene landscape featuring a flowing stream surrounded by lush green vegetation and tall pine trees, with a mountainous background under a cloudy sky.
If you’re taking photos at this spot, hold on to your phone very very very tightly…. IYKYK
A hiker crossing a log bridge over a flowing creek in a wooded area, surrounded by tall trees and mountainous terrain.
First major creek crossing of the hike
A winding dirt path through a dense forest with tall evergreen trees and scattered fallen logs, under a partly cloudy sky.
I loved all these baby trees. Baby trees are my favorite!
A close-up view of vibrant green plants with smooth, elongated leaves featuring distinct light and dark green stripes.
More poisonous stuff that looks like sea kelp at times!
Scenic view of a tranquil lake surrounded by lush green trees and mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A serene landscape featuring a calm lake bordered by tall evergreen trees and rocky cliffs, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Gold Creek Lake. We met a lovely volunteer here who warned us about the blow downs to come, and who checked in our plans. Dream job right there!
A person wearing a bright green shirt and black shorts performing a handstand in a forested area with trees and a camping setup nearby.
I did not take any normal photos of the campsite we found, so here is a screenshot of my first cartwheel since having elbow surgery… and quite possibly my last cartwheel for a very very very very long time 😦
A serene view of tall evergreen trees silhouetted against a clear blue sky, with a large full moon visible in the upper right corner.
Moon scene from camp

Day two started with a stout climb to gain the saddle overlooking Gilpin Lake. Snowfields awaited us, but they were all not too incredibly sketchy. I ended up getting in a nice glissade, which is always fun! Lunch was had at Gilpin Lake, and then it was the long descent back to the trailhead in the sun and heat.

A person hiking on a dirt trail surrounded by tall evergreen trees, carrying a backpack and using trekking poles.
Heading out of camp. It was a chill morning and we did not get that early of a start.
A scenic mountain landscape featuring a wide grassy meadow surrounded by tall trees and rocky terrain under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Lovely meadow that had some potential campsites before the trail starts the major climbing. However, it was windy and not as protected!
A single bright yellow flower with elongated petals and a central disc, standing on a slender stem with green leaves, surrounded by soil and other plants.
Arnica
A scenic landscape showing a hiking trail winding through rocky terrain with lush green grass and scattered trees under a clear blue sky.
Getting above treeline on switchbacks. Lost Ranger Peak is off in the background, along with the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)
Hiker wearing a bright green jacket walking on a snow-covered trail surrounded by rocks and trees under a blue sky with clouds.
Starting to find the snow… after all, it is a bit early season being late June and all!
Scenic mountain landscape featuring rocky terrain, a clear blue lake, patches of snow, and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
Bam! The view people come to the Zirkel Circle for! Looking down on Gilpin Lake, with Mount Zirkel being the pointy mountain on the right, and Big Agnes Mountain to the left.
A hiker wearing a bright green jacket and shorts walks on a snowy slope, using trekking poles.
A person hiking up a snowy slope under a clear blue sky, surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse trees.
A person walking uphill on a snow-covered slope under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Snowfield fun
A hiking trail winds through rocky terrain leading down to a scenic lake surrounded by mountains under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
My favorite sort of views in the world
A woman in a bright green long-sleeve shirt and cap sits peacefully by a lake, leaning against a tree, with a serene expression on her face. She is resting on a mat, surrounded by grass and rocks, with trees in the background.
Relaxing and lunch at Gilpin Lake. Guess what? I learned I love peanut butter on tortillas! Totally ready for thru hiking now!
Close-up of vibrant pink wildflowers growing among green foliage in a natural outdoor setting.
A hand holding a blue and white flower against a backdrop of green foliage.

Definitely not my typical blog style, but I did want to commemorate this awesome trip! Really a lovely overnight, making some great memories, laughs, and “dirty diapers”! My summer really pivoted the following day after a mountain bike crash, but I am happy I have at least one backpacking trip to look back on!

2 responses to “The Zirkel Circle”

  1. Diana Avatar
    Diana

    Oh perfect timing, I was just looking into this as a possible upcoming backpacking trip! I’m glad you got out once before your injury, and I hope your recovery is going well!

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    1. The Adventuring Heidi Avatar
      The Adventuring Heidi

      It’s such a nice and chill overnight! And very pretty! I was always going to day hike it, but since travel time is so far, overnight worked out. The gravel road into the trailhead is soooooo washboard, so be prepared for that! Might be better not in a van, but still. And things are going, started PT yesterday so eventually maybe I’ll have my arm back!

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