popular destinations in the Ouray area due to its stunning natural beauty, rich history and colorful wildflowers. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Photo Credit: Bryan Hagan, OutThere Colorado. The start of the trail is fairly well-packed singletrack. MOUNT ELBERT 5. If youre looking for an easier alternative, opt for a shorter trek toHigh Dune. While the park is popular enough that you wont have the trails to yourself, there are miles of trails to explore so you can pick and choose your own route to either escape the crowds or follow the well-used paths to the popular viewpoints. At 13,420 feet, Pacific Tarn is the highest alpine lake in the United States, and you can have it all to yourself. This awesome, 6 mile out-and-back trail takes you through the exquisite Flat Tops Wilderness area near Yampa, Colorado. It is tough to narrow down the best Colorado hiking trails and hikes, but you definitely cant go wrong with any of these ones. other alpine lakes, including Nymph and Dream. As was mentioned above, some roads are closed for portions of the year, it is important to check on those closures. This loop is a mix of aerobically challenging climbing combined with pleasant views. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Pro Tip: If youre into hiking up peaks, this trailhead offers access to some of the best 13ers in Colorado. Photo Credit: Melissa Woolf (iStock). Photo Credit: ablokhin (iStock). From easygoing hikes in the many state and local parks within driving distance of major cities like Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs, to the hidden backcountry gems found in the remote wilderness and national forest areas, you have your pick of some of the best hiking in the Mountain West. The lake is located at just over 10,000 feet and there may be snow on the peaks late into the summer. Although, winter lasts a long time in the high country. The Great Sand Dunes rise almost randomly out of the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Prepare properly for scrambling a Colorado 14er and understand the risks you are getting into. Winding through spectacular wildflower meadows, scenic beauty awaits hikers and backpackers. jmangum2. While you wont fully escape the traffic noise of the nearby highways, the park is still a pleasant and convenient getaway due to its proximity to Golden and the western suburbs of Denver. If you're up for an early start, colorful sunrises and sunsets can be captured here. Note that from mid-June through September between 8:30am 5:00pm, a shuttle is required to take to the trailhead. Colorado is a hiking mecca thats filled with unbelievably beautiful trails. 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. If hiking the loop counterclockwise, start on the Palmer Trail, which is best accessed from the Section 16 Trailhead on Gold Camp Road. Million dollar highway loop. The round-trip journey clocks in at about 2.1 miles gaining close to 900 feet in elevation. Segment 11 at the Mount Massive Trailhead. These hiking trails in Colorado each offer something a little different and help you build your skills as a mountain hiker. Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle, two of Colorados most famous 14ers (peaks above 14,000 feet high), create a beautifully dramatic backdrop. Explore one of 1,477 family-friendly hikes for a sunny weekend. Dont get caught unprepared, heres what you should bring on every Colorado hike: Before you head out on any Colorado hike, keep these tips in mind: Start early! Micro-spikes can useful when there is snow on the windswept trail. This trail is dog-friendly, but dogs are not allowed past this point. Be sure to admire the sunflowers in the summer. Continue on the Emerald Lake Trail, which follows the north shore of Dream Lake and continues to climb for another half mile. This is one of the best hikes in Colorado that sits just outside of Boulder meaning that it is only about a 30-minute drive away from Denver. No one wants to see poop bags on the trail even if you are planning to pick it up later. Chautauqua Park is one of the highlights of the area, located at the base of Boulders iconic Flatirons. Distance: 1.6 milesElevation Gain: 232 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are not allowed and its $25 to enter the park. Also named Emerald Lake, these majestic alpine waters can be explored near the iconic mountain town of Crested Butte. Towering beautifully over hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers, the unique red rock formations offer a playground of adventure. This area will encompass Denver north to Fort Collins with hikes that are accessible from the eastern urban corridor. Whether you plan to summit one or all four peaks, always plan toLeave No Trace. Most segments fall within the moderate to upper end of difficult. Photo Credit: Irwin Badeaux, A photo shows the sign informing visitors to stay off the log at Hanging Lake, a popular Colorado destination that has had a large increase in traffic over the past decade. This is my favorite place to take out-of-town visitors on a scenic jaunt. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a rather unknown gem of the state. This is the high country so be sure to bring extra layers and drink plenty of water. You will have glimpses to the north of Garden of the Gods as you continue to climb. As with any hiking day, it is especially important to drink lots of water and make sure you are eating enough. The rock formations are spectacular, and there is so much to see in a short distance. Located about one hour from Denver, this popular hike leads to an extraordinary destinationDevils Head Lookout. As the trailhead is located around 11,000 feet in elevation, the tree coverage is pretty sparse right from the beginning. Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock). Fall can quickly turn to winter in some areas of the state. Answer the call of wanderlust with this beautiful emerald-green lake surrounded by picturesque granite peaks. 5 Must-Have Hiking Essentials 1. People die or get rescued off of this mountain every year for biting off more than they can chew. Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Colorado, and for good reason. From here, you briefly connect to the. Towns like Telluride, Silverton, and Durango will be nearby for hiking in this region. Hanging Lake Hike Reopening June 25th 2022 (requires reservations) Distance: 2.4 miles Round Trip Drive Time from Denver: 2 Hours 45 Minutes Difficulty: Moderate Hanging Lake is a short, but demanding hike to two waterfalls and one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado. This route is one of the most popular hikes in the state with the stunning Maroon Bells as a backdrop, abundant wildflowers in spring and summer, hillsides of aspen in the fall, and four passes to climb and descend on this spectacular loop. . Storms come in quickly and the weather changes on a dime here. Weather, accessibility, hike difficulty, length, and elevation gain are all factors to consider when choosing a hike in Colorado. Getting there is fairly easy with a relatively short hike that passes through twoother alpine lakes, including Nymph and Dream. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). Always understand that the weather generally comes from the west, and keep an eye on storms. If you are looking for a shorter or easier outing, the Bear Lake Trail, which leaves from the same trailhead and loops around Bear Lake, is a family-friendly option. 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! At the end of the long haul, youre greeted with awe-inspiring sandstone arches and deep canyons that rival some of the best scenery in both Arches National Park and the Grand Canyon. This article will mainly focus on some of the best day hikes. Distance: 3.1Elevation Gain: 990Difficulty: easy to moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Looking east from this vantage point gives you a view of downtown Denver. Being on an exposed ridge top on a late summer day is one of the most dangerous places to be while hiking. Location: Northern Front Range. You'll find this 3.2-mile out-and-back adventure hidden right off of Monarch Pass. Free shipping for many products! Thanks for the article! Located inside Rocky Mountain National Park outside of the town of Estes Park. BISON PEAK 2. The low mileage and incredibly dramatic scenery make for a great hike. This is available as a desktop version as well on iPhone and Android. Beat the crowds and head to the beautiful Ptarmigan Lake. While you will have to watch your footing on the way back down, the views on the return hike are even more spectacular than on the way up. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Season: Summer; June, July, and August. Colorado Maroon Bells - Crater Lake Reflection Vertical. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. On a clear summer day, you will likely join a line of hikers on the way to the summits. or anything. The magnificent Maroon bell mountains tower over Maroon lake. Continue on the. Seven Bridges Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park. Generally speaking, if the hike is on National Forest land, there will not be any fees associated with accessing the hike. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). Each alpine wonder offers a serene escape laced with captivating mountain beauty. Even for someone that lives in Colorado, anyone can get altitude sickness when hiking up high, most commonly above 8,000 feet. . Leave it better than how you found. Afterward, check out the sights in nearby Dillon, Frisco, and Breckenridge. 22. Related Read: The 10 Best Hikes Near Grand Junction, Colorado. Tucked away in Rocky Mountain National Park, the hike to Alberta Falls is an easy, out and back trail that will take you to some stunning falls in the park with incredible views. The canyon itself features gorgeous sandstone formations and plenty of beautiful scenery. Season: May-November is ideal. Take in the history of the ruins while enjoying the scenery of the mountains and the city of Denver in the distance. The hike to Royal Arch hits all the highlights in a fairly manageable distance, but the incline isnt easy, so come prepared for a leg-burning climb. The unbelievably turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make it an incredibly beautiful adventure. Its also a pretty easy trail to hike since there is little elevation change and the path features several stellar views of the surrounding canyon and the river below. A little more than 6 miles in, you will turn onto the Crater Lake Trail. Colorado Maroon Bells - Crater Lake Reflection Horizontal. At just over 6 miles round-trip and located about a 90-minute drive from Denver, this peak is one of the more accessible 14ers in the state. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. Be prepared to not have cell service while you hike. 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. You'll need reservations to explore the iconic alpine wonder. The hike to, hits all the highlights in a fairly manageable distance, but the incline isnt easy, so come prepared for a leg-burning climb. Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Welcome to some of the mostbrilliantly cobalt blue lakes in Colorado. Snowshoes can be helpful after heavy snowfall. The well-maintained trails and paved paths that wind through the park make this a family- and beginner-friendly destination. Local Tip: This trail has been undergoing restoration work and will re-open on June 25th, 2022. Theres a $12 per-person permit required to hike. Colorado hiking trails have the best hiking sticks for kids to find and use. The trail ends at the natural rock arch of Royal Arch, which offers a unique vantage point of Boulder and views to the north and south along the Front Range. For the best experience, try visiting any time between May and October. Easily one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, Maroon Bells is home to some of the best hikes in Aspen. Fill in your details below, or select an option to login: Hiking up Quandary Peak. Parts of this ecosystem are fragile. Photo Credit: Zach Dischner. a good rule of thumb is to be below treeline by noon. The first mile of the trail climbs, at times steeply, through sparse forests that become progressively thinner as you climb. Colorado National Monument is one of the best winter hiking destinations in Colorado. There are plenty of amazing hikes in Colorado, but this one will be very different. 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