Once over your second pass, you get a bit of a respite on the, , which traverses a wide, high-altitude basin that is carpeted in wildflowers in season. While summertime is the best time to venture into higher altitude hikes in the alpine, the summer also has its dangers. There are also great groups on Facebook that post trail conditions. Dog-friendly. Dont forget to bring your camera! The trail to the lake isnt particularly difficult, but it is long. Dependent on the seasonal opening of Independence Pass. You may spot deer and coyotes in the area as well. There is also a shuttle service in the summer and fall seasons. I actually bumped into Devils Canyon by accident, but Im glad I found this diamond in the rough. Most visitors enter through the east side of the park near the town of Estes Park. Upper Blue Lake from Quandary Peak. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the. 220 Reviews #1 of 4 things to do in Bend. Here are 10 hikes to take that lead to pristine bodies of water. Different public lands have different guidelines and restrictions, so it is important to be familiar with the area that you are hiking in. For the best experience, try visiting any time between May and October. An overflow of alpine beauty awaits on a serene trek into the San Juan Mountains on the American Basin Trail near Lake City. The crown jewel of the front range is Longs Peak. : Boulder, CO, in Chautauqua Park, 2 miles southwest of downtown Boulder, : A classic hike at the base of the Flatirons, Known as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Boulder could keep you occupied for weeks with its multitude of trails in close vicinity to downtown. Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the. You may spot deer and coyotes in the area as well. Whether you are looking for easy day hikes, gorgeous multiday backpacking trips or views (and elevation gain) that will take your breath away, the Centennial State does not disappoint. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. The weather is very unpredictable in Colorado. Generally speaking, if the hike is on National Forest land, there will not be any fees associated with accessing the hike. Located in Roxborough State Park, this is one of the best easy hikes near Denver that takes you on a fun trek past some of the best scenery in the park. This is one of the more difficult 14er hikes in the state. Snowshoes can be helpful after heavy snowfall. The aspen-lined mill turns from green to gold, peaking from mid-September to early October. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to world-class hiking trails. With thousands of hikes in Colorado, there is no way all of them can be featured in this article. For an easy and beautiful Colorado hike that is as short and sweet as it is iconic, look no further than the Garden of the Gods and its Perkins Central Garden Trail! Join once, enjoy forever. Pro Tip: If youre into hiking up peaks, this trailhead offers access to some of the best 13ers in Colorado. Made famous as being one of the best rock climbing areas in Colorado, this area is also home to some amazing hikes. Keep it Clean. Climb your way up to Island Lake (another 15 to 20-minute walk) for a scene that is simply jaw-dropping. After this, you will enjoy a long, mostly mellow descent back to the trailhead. Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle, two of Colorados most famous 14ers (peaks above 14,000 feet high), create a beautifully dramatic backdrop. Tucked between Interstate 70 and Colorado State Highway 470, Matthews/Winters Park is a surprising location for some beautiful Front Range trails. From here, you briefly connect to the. This 27-mile loop is most commonly backpacked as a three- or four-night trip. Once over your second pass, you get a bit of a respite on the Fravert Basin Trail, which traverses a wide, high-altitude basin that is carpeted in wildflowers in season. Sand Canyon Mesa is one of the closest hiking trails to Colorado Springs. For more information please visit the RNMP website. Palmer Park: Best Hiking Trail in Colorado Springs. Mayflower Gulch is a spectacular wildflower hike in Colorado. Evans as well. A 44 vehicle is a must to get up to the trailhead. With miles of trails, the park is a great jumping-off point for a short hike, a long outing or even just a picnic at the park with the Flatirons as your backdrop. This awesome, 6 mile out-and-back trail takes you through the exquisite Flat Tops Wilderness area near Yampa, Colorado. There is a chain link rope to help with the steepest section. With more than 300 miles of trails and some of the best-known scenery in the state, Rocky Mountain National Park is a well-loved hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. The trail climbs gradually for the first 2 miles, heading south around Kelso Mountain before turning west, where you will spot the two 14ers and the saddle connecting them. Not only is it a popular backpacking route in Colorado, but this hike will take you around 4 hours to complete and will take you past Timberline Falls by way of Glacier Gorge Trail. Others also have parking fees. : Snowmass Village, CO, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, 11 miles southwest of Aspen, : An immersive multiday experience in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, This 27-mile loop is most commonly backpacked as a three- or four-night trip. Box 118, Bend, TX 76824. You will need to watch your footing on the slope of Grays as you climb to the summit at 14,270 feet. As the slope increases, you will climb toward the ponderosa pines and wooded slopes of the Boulder foothills. This hike includes two different 14ers! Photo Credit: Cheri Alguire (iStock). Location: I-70 corridor, not very far from Denver. The Mount Evans wilderness area is a great place to make for a full day of hiking and driving up to some spectacular exposed views. After this, you will enjoy a long, mostly mellow descent back to the trailhead. Inside this guide youll find tons of info about the most scenic Colorado hikes and how to visit them without the crowds. Most hikers will start hiking around 3am in the summer. Distance: 14.5 milesElevation gain: 4,911 feetDifficulty: extremely difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is not a hike to be taken lightly. GARDEN OF THE GODS CENTRAL GARDEN TRAIL 6. Acclimatize properly. . 7. See my guide to hiking Colorado 14ers for more info. The trail clocks in just a little over a mile to the top of Hanging Lake. Photo Credit: klosfoto (iStock). There is a fee to enter to the park and parking can be limited during peak season. Colorado Springs also has a great number of hikes close to town and is under the shadow of Pikes Peak, a 14er. 5 Must-Have Hiking Essentials 1. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the Sleeping Giant Trail, a short loop off the main paved path that leads to the base of the Sleeping Giant rock formation. This guide includes: Get oriented with this map of Colorado Hikes. Welcome to some of the mostbrilliantly cobalt blue lakes in Colorado. Get your fix of adventure by climbing one of the tallest sand dunes in North America (Star Dune), rising beautifully over 750 feet tall in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Season: Memorial Day through mid-October. Distance: 5.4 milesElevation Gain: 1,072Difficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Be on the lookout for more articles in the future for the best 14er hikes and multi-day backpacking trips. Quick rainstorms and thunderstorms are also not uncommon up in the high country. This moderately easy trail works its way straight up to a scenic perch. The La Plata Mountains can be found in southern Colorado and are normally accessed from the small town of Mancos. Also, keep an eye out for moose and other wildlife. Being on an exposed ridge top on a late summer day is one of the most dangerous places to be while hiking. It also depends on the snow year. Trails throughout the park offerstunning views of Pikes Peak America's Mountain. Everybody knows about them, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt check them out. Additionally, the road to the trailhead is closed seasonally, usually from December to April. Difficulty: moderate to hard. . Most people opt to backpack this trail since youll find it hard to leave. BISON PEAK 2. For an easy, mellow hike, head to the Interlaken Trail. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Don't miss this trek deep in the heart of the Sangre De Cristo mountains to Willow Lake. A lighter snow season will allow for earlier season hiking. Helmet required. If you do happen to encounter a moose on the trail. A hiking day backpack 2. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Legal Notice | Terms Of Use, Top 10 Ridge Scrambles in Colorado That Are Exhilarating, Colorado Trail Gear List: What To Bring In Your Backpack, 15+ Best Hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park. Blue Lakes Trail leads hikers through Mt. I love to escape to the red sandstone canyons outside of Fruita, Colorado every winter. Be sure to park in the designated overnight parking lot. Parts of this ecosystem are fragile. Read moreabout us. Rocky Mountain National Park is a truly breathtaking area and a great introduction to Colorado. 2. Photo Credit: eschuette1. Getting there is fairly easy with a relatively short hike that passes through twoother alpine lakes, including Nymph and Dream. The descent can be quite dangerous, watch out for loose rocks. One can experience snowstorms in June, warm weather in February, or even a sunny summer day interrupted by intense thunderstorms. Photo Credit: James Walton. From Grays, continue down the north ridge across the saddle between the two peaks to climb Torreys. However, if youve got a Colorado license plate from 2023 onwards and you opted into the Colorado State Parks Pass, your entry is free. You will need to check-in at the South Rim visitors center to get a permit. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette. Location: Northern front range. There are several parking areas located along Gold Camp Road and while none are very large, you will have a few lots to choose from. Carry your poop with you by strapping it to your bag, or leave your dog at home. The Great Sand Dunes rise almost randomly out of the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. If you are looking for the quintessential Indian Peaks hike, the out-and-back to Crater Lake from Monarch Lake offers a great mix of scenery and terrain, as well as a stunning destination. SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop, Start your hike at the East Portal Trailhead near the Moffat Tunnel. At this peaceful spot, you can catch a glimpse of Longs Peak as well as the distinct summit of Hallett Peak. If you get an early start, you can park at the Maroon Lake parking area. Compared to the rest of the country, cell service in Colorado is not that great. To the south, you will have views of Blue Lakes and North Star Mountain across the valley. The trail heads deeper into Tyndall Gorge until reaching Emerald Lake, which is tucked under the rocky summits of Hallett and Flattop. Clocking in over 27 miles, the Four Pass Loop climbs over four beautiful mountain passes. Ive done all the leg work for you, hiking each of these trails over the years to bring you the real stand-out scenery in the Centennial State. Distance: 8.6 miles roundtrip. Its a popular, but challenging, 7.5-mile, out-and-back hike that will take you through the gorgeous, Mount Evans Wilderness area. Colorado is known for its abundant sunny weather, mountain views and nearly year-round hiking opportunities. With two large enclosed dog parks, a beautiful pond and fountain, as well as sand volleyball courts, this park truly has something for everyone. Blue Lakes Trail - Ridgway. In just under a mile, this trail gains an astonishing 905 feet in elevation. 3. Nestled outside of the beautiful mountain town of Breckenridge, the sparkling alpine waters combined with granite views and colorful blooms offers up the perfect summer escape. Pants will also be nice to have in case of a rogue thunderstorm. No dogs. 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