After passing the often heavily-used San Gregorio Reservoir, the Las Vacas Trail meets up with Clear Creek, which it follows for about a mile before striking northeast. The route alternates between forest and open meadow before reaching the broad park bordering the Rio de las Vacas. The trail meets the stream in the middle of the network of trails that threads through the parks. The Las Vacas Trail continues up the valley of the stream and leads to other small creeks with their attendant trails. For a nice, eight-mile loop from the central hub, walk a grand triangle with the Las Vacas, Los Pinos, and Anastacio trails.
Campsites are plentiful along the entire route.
It's a bit shorter to the parks from the Palomas Trailhead. From there the walk is four miles via the Palomas Trail to the Las Vacas Trail. For a 15-mile loop around the eastern half of the wilderness, follow the Las Vacas Trail to the Penas Negras Trail, then return by way of the Perchas Trail. Spots to pitch a tent are found along the Rio de las Vacas and the Rito de las Perchas. Consider a walk to Vega Redonda, perhaps the most delightful meadow in the wilderness and home to a sizable portion of the elk herd.