Seven Bridges Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park. Nature & Parks, State Parks. Featuring hiking trails found throughout the state, theres a breathtaking hike virtually anywhere! 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. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. Even in the winter, the Front Range sees plenty of mild and sunny days when the trails dry out enough for a hike. Photo Credit: eschuette1. Summer thunderstorms are very common on Mount Elbert and can prove to be fatal. If you arent cozy pooping in a bag and packing it out, stay home. Micro-spikes and snowshoes can be necessary during the winter months (October-April). Found in Rocky Mountain National Park, cross the natural wonder of Emerald Lakeoff your bucket list. The trail clocks in just a little over a mile to the top of Hanging Lake. This hike comes into condition during July and August. MOUNT ELBERT 5. Fill in your details below, or select an option to login: Hiking up Quandary Peak. It includes Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Rico. Location: Northern Front Range. Therefore, hikers now have to pay $10 to enter 36 state parks in Colorado including Staunton, Roxborough, Golden Gate Canyon, and Saint Vrain. This hike is very challenging due to the high starting elevation, and its elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. Need 2 get out see the others ! This large area will include hiking near the popular ski resorts of Colorado. Easily one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, Maroon Bells is home to some of the best hikes in Aspen. : Colorado Springs, CO, in Garden of the Gods, 6 miles northwest of downtown Colorado Springs, : A family-friendly excursion to see the impressive red rocks of Garden of the Gods, The towering red rock formations of Garden of the Gods create a memorable backdrop for this easily accessible hike located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. 1. Dont attempt Longs Peak unless you are an experienced mountain hiker who isnt afraid of exposure to steep drops and knows a thing or two about scrambling. With staple 14ers like Pikes Peak and Mount Evans towering above the Front Range and the Rocky Mountains to the west, the views on a clear day are astonishing. Distance: 2.5 milesElevation Gain: 885 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Tucked into the Sangre de Cristo Range, the Grand Sand Dunes are the tallest dunes on the continent, with heights up to 755 feet sitting below a scenic mountain backdrop. Sniktau is one of the best sunset hikes in Colorado. 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. The altitude combined with lots of elevation gain makes for a tough hike. I actually bumped into Devils Canyon by accident, but Im glad I found this diamond in the rough. Location: San Juans, near the town of Telluride. Season: May-November is ideal. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. This loop combines The Palmer Trail to Buckskin-Charlie, Niobrara, and the Bretang Trail to make a tour-de-garden. Beautiful waterfalls seep into the brightly colored lake. Hikes here range from short walks in Boulders Chautauqua Park to hiking Longs peak, a 14er. Permits are required for an overnight. Once you are done enjoying the rewards of your climb, retrace your steps back down the saddle to connect to the main trail and return to the trailhead. While not a very challenging hike, this hike is on our list because of how unique it is. However, keep in mind that many trailheads become inaccessible in the winter. Afterward, check out the sights in nearby Dillon, Frisco, and Breckenridge. Another unique feature is. Open today: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Its my mission to get you out on the best Colorado hiking trails like a local, not a tourist. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Waterfalls of Minnesota: Your Guide to the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the Stat at the best online prices at eBay! Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Dont stop here, as another singletrack trail on the west side of Mirror Lake heads on to Crater Lake and reveals the even more stunning view of Lone Eagle Peak and Mount Achonee towering above the lake. From Grays, continue down the north ridge across the saddle between the two peaks to climb Torreys. Explore one of 1,477 family-friendly hikes for a sunny weekend. This section is the most challenging part of the hike, with loose switchbacks and rocky stairs to navigate. For the best photo ops though, hike along the 1.9-mile loop trail in fall and come just in time for sunrise to see the real magic of one of the best hikes in Colorado. Most high alpine roads will open up in June each summer. Bursting with beauty, the trail features rushing alpine waters, wildflower meadows, and a variety of wildlife including bear, elk, moose, deer, and marmots. Threats of harming another Just try and visit at an off-peak time since this is a popular hike through the park. Dont forget to bring your camera! That doesnt mean this is an easy undertaking, though, and hikers should come prepared with plenty of food, water and extra clothing as hiking any 14er in Colorado involves some degree of risk due to elevation, weather and exposure. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. This hike is one of the most beautiful and most popular hikes inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Permits are required for overnight stays inbackcountry areas of the Conundrum Hot Springs. 3. Soak in the beauty of James Peak Wilderness as you make your way to Heart Lake via Rogers Pass Trail. (Photo Credit: Steven Bratman under CC BY-SA). Acclimatize properly. Sneffels allows one to get a great sense of just how vast the San Juans really are. The trail is 18 miles out-and-back in length and climbs 2,719 feet in elevation as you weave through the lush landscapes of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Snowshoes can be helpful after heavy snowfall. Each alpine wonder offers a serene escape laced with captivating mountain beauty. The first mile of the trail climbs, at times steeply, through sparse forests that become progressively thinner as you climb. Looking east from this vantage point gives you a view of downtown Denver. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. There's also a 7.25-mile route up the southwest side for those with a high clearance 4WD vehicle. Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy at Emerald Lake before your return journey. That being said, for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness who are acclimated to the altitude and prepared with the Ten Essentials, Quandary makes a great first 14er to tackle. Season: While it can be hiked all year round, the most popular time to hike is in the summer. Here are a few must-do hikes in the area. Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Join once, enjoy forever. Also be aware of the fact that visitors are charged $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person to enter the park. Segment 11 at the Mount Massive Trailhead. This is one of Colorados most famous lakes. It might be the only hike in the state to safely do barefoot! Nothing from Ouray or Cheyenne Caon? Quick rainstorms and thunderstorms are also not uncommon up in the high country. The majority of hiking on Mount Elbert is above the tree line. Be sure to be physically prepared for this hike. From the deep Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the highest point in Colorado on Mount Elbert, there is a lifetime of hiking to explore. The best time of year to hike in Colorado. When hiking above the treeline, it is incredibly important to watch the weather and be off the summit before 2pm. that is degrading to another person. They are among the most photographed mountains in the country. Be sure to admire the sunflowers in the summer. For an added bonus, time your hike to catch the sunrise or sunset. But Victoria's .SUNshine Girl Emily, a 5-foot-7, hazel-eyed Taurus who posed for us in 2018, loves yoga, hiking, writing in her journal and skiing. The final climb is very rocky, and the going will be slow, but topping out at the official summit marker is well worth the effort. This could be the most popular fall hike in Colorado. From Grays, continue down the north ridge across the saddle between the two peaks to climb Torreys. Prepare properly for scrambling a Colorado 14er and understand the risks you are getting into. On a calm, clear day the mountains reflections in the lake makes for a picture-perfect setting. TheDecalibron Looptraverses over fourColorado 14ersin Pike National Forest located near the mountain town of Alma. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). Photo Credit: Mariah Hoffman. jmangum2. Photo Credit: Stephen Martin, OutThere Colorado. Hike in the morning on a weekday for some solitude. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. Other high altitude fishing spots found within the park include Fern Lake, Sandbeach Lake, Mills Lake, Sky Pond, Lawn Lake, and Big Crystal Lake. This section of the hike passes through a verdant high-alpine meadow where the wildflowers are plentiful in season. You can also access one of the best hikes in Colorado from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and then set off from there. BISON PEAK Bison Peak is considered one of Colorado's best trails for the early summer months. 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! Error! Mount Falcon Castle Loop Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. The trip takes about 2 hours and has chains to hold for the steep sections. Location: Start of the I-70 corridor. Distance: 10.3 milesElevation gain: 4,442 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Start early (like 4 am early) to beat afternoon thunderstorms. The low mileage and incredibly dramatic scenery make for a great hike. One can hike all year round in Colorado. Every peak bagger should add the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak to their bucket list. This is the high country so be sure to bring extra layers and drink plenty of water. 19. As with all above-treeline routes, start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and be sure to pack appropriately with food, water, sunscreen and extra layers. If youre just getting into summiting mountains, then head up to the top of Mount Sniktau. . 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. Trailhead Location: Pandora Public Parking and Trailhead. Theres plenty of parking but if you cant find a spot in the lot, you can pay to park along any of the neighborhood roads. While this loop will take you away from the hustle of nearby Colorado Springs, dont expect to be alone, as this popular trail can get quite crowded, especially in the evenings and on the weekends during the summer. Heavy snowfall shuts down the majority of hiking in the alpine environment due to avalanche concerns as well as intense cold weather. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation gain: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. For more information please visit the RNMP website. While there is plenty of hiking all year round, hiking into the high alpine is best during July and August. Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. You can learn more about avalanche forecasting and avalanche safety at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Dog-friendly. Featured below will be some of the best hikes in Colorado for all different types of hikers that include some of the best views in the state. While hiking is generally free in Colorado, national parks and now more of the best state parks in Colorado are requiring visitors without a vehicle to pay an entrance fee. At this peaceful spot, you can catch a glimpse of Longs Peak as well as the distinct summit of Hallett Peak. Distance: 14 milesElevation gain: 2,444 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Some scrambling required, but nothing too strenuous. Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy at Emerald Lake before your return journey. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, The white and lavender Rocky Mountain Columbine, designated as the official state flower, can be found sprouting along the trail. Peak baggers up for the challenge can also summit Kit Carson and Challenger Point accessed along this same trail. She is also known for being a bookworm and owning more running shoes than most people would consider socially acceptable. To get to the lakes, you'll climb 1.6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,062 feet. If you can, try to time your visit between late May and early June since this is when the waterfall is at its best. It is not a bad idea to wear a climbing helmet for the 3rd class scramble, as there are lots of loose rocks. The towering red rock formations of Garden of the Gods create a memorable backdrop for this easily accessible hike located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. If you are flying into Colorado, Denver International Airport is the best option. So, try and visit on a quiet weekday morning to avoid the crowds and take in the Fountain and Lyons rock formations that surround you. Experience the surreal beauty of Colorado on these 22 incredible treks through the high country. The best time to visit is from July through September. Share with Us. It is between the San Juans and the I-70 corridor. Season: All year-round. Distance: 3 milesElevation gain: 629 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This isnt so much of a trail, as it is walking up a steep, squishy sand hill hence the difficulty. Mayflower Gulch is a spectacular wildflower hike in Colorado. From jaw-dropping mountain vistas to quirky sandstone monoliths, there are all sorts of hiking to do in Colorado. 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. The trail to the summit gains 3,229 feet over the course of just over 3 miles. Attempting this hike in the winter is a serious mountaineering undertaking and should not be done without any experience. No dogs. This beautiful alpine lake is tucked away at thebase of Longs Peak, one of the most iconic and dangerousfourteenersin the state. This awesome, 6 mile out-and-back trail takes you through the exquisite Flat Tops Wilderness area near Yampa, Colorado. Here comes the big question! racist or sexually-oriented language. For the purpose of this article, we will divide the state into different regions and look at some of the best hikes in different parts of the state. From here, you have one final pass to completeWest Maroon Pass on the West Maroon Trail. For this reason, it's best to always keep pets leashed. Others also have parking fees. , Quandary makes a great first 14er to tackle. Do not run. Additionally, be sure to check the weather and plan to leave early enough to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which can move in rapidly at high elevations. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. In fact, this trail is so lovely that is popular among hikers, birders, and cross-country skiers alike. : Granby, CO, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, 103 miles northwest of Denver, : A long day hike or an overnight backpacking trip, Located in the mountains west of Boulder, Indian Peaks Wilderness is a remarkable wilderness area with miles of pristine trails and many access points on both sides of the Continental Divide. Location: Northern front range. Wildflower lovers will be delighted by the serene beauty found on the 401 Trail in Crested Butte. I love to escape to the red sandstone canyons outside of Fruita, Colorado every winter. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Be prepared to not have cell service while you hike. Soakers visiting from early October to late June may encounter snow. 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. 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