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. Photo Credit: MizC (iStock). 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. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. The beautiful scenery passes by a few small lakes and ponds before the final push to Ptarmigan Lake. Distance: 5.4 milesElevation Gain: 1,072Difficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. However, keep in mind that many trailheads become inaccessible in the winter. Enjoy them, but do your part to make sure that someone a year, a decade, or a century from now can enjoy the area too. Star Dune is the largest of them all. Some hikes may recommend hiking poles, or even a helmet while scrambling on more technical hiking trails. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). Be sure to have checked the forecast multiple times, and do always bring extra layers as well as a rain jacket. 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. In just under a mile, this trail gains an astonishing 905 feet in elevation. Once you catch your first glimpse, it's not hard to see why this is a highly trafficked hike. Be sure to have the right education and the right gear. Fall is one of the best times to hike in Colorado. Trekking poles can be helpful for this steep section. Adding another Colorado 14er combo to the summer bucket list, the Grays and Torreys Trail is packed with both beauty and challenge. Sniktau is one of the best sunset hikes in Colorado. Dog-friendly. Explore the most popular trails in my list 101 most beautiful hikes in colorado with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Dont stop here, as another singletrack trail on the west side of Mirror Lake heads on to. Most high alpine roads will open up in June each summer. 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! 19. This spectacular out-and-back starts from Bear Lake before climbing to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, two of the jewels of Rocky Mountain National Park. GARDEN OF THE GODS CENTRAL GARDEN TRAIL 6. If you can, try to time your visit between late May and early June since this is when the waterfall is at its best. If you are planning an overnight trip, you must self-register at the trailhead, and bear canisters are required. Hiking at altitude is tough work. Generally speaking, the high country is referred to as the area at 9,000 feet and above. Listen, Ive been on each of these hiking trails several different times. Here is an article about getting altitude sickness in Colorado. Be sure to arrive early to find a parking spot as space is limited and the trail is busy during the summer. A little more than 6 miles in, you will turn onto the Crater Lake Trail. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Million dollar highway loop. jmangum2. Combine this hike with one of the most scenic drives near Denver for an epic day outside. Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Hikes near towns such as Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen will be included in this area. Living up to its namesake, this beautiful alpine lake hosts an array of skyscraping rock formations that seem to defy gravity. While summertime is the best time to venture into higher altitude hikes in the alpine, the summer also has its dangers. 2236 Park Hill Dr, P. O. Box 118, Bend, TX 76824. Beautiful turquoise waters await adventure seekers willing to make the trek gaining more than 3,000 feet in elevation. You will need to check-in at the South Rim visitors center to get a permit. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the. Photo Credit: twildlife (iStock). PYRAMID PEAK 3. A series of steep and rocky switchbacks will take you to the lake. Around 11,700 feet, the trees thin out entirely, and you can see the ridge that you will be climbing to the west. Some areas of the state obviously have better hiking options than others, but this will be a great way to understand the lay of the land. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Chicago Lakes starts off steep and mellows out as it meanders down a valley towards the backside of Mount Evans. This hike itself is rather short, but the views are impressive. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. 3. See my guide to hiking Colorado 14ers for more info. My brother and I are going to CO in July, this rlly helped narrow it down! This 737-acre city park offers more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. 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! Theres a good reason for it: Hanging Lake LOOKS like a place where fairies and gnomes would live. Be sure to check road conditions. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. : 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. Dependent on the seasonal opening of Independence Pass. A look at the tail-end of a sunrise as it hits the boulder field just below the Keyhole. Pack out all your trash with you. Photo Credit: kwiktor (iStock). The turquoise coloring is unlike anything else in the state. . This is available as a desktop version as well on iPhone and Android. If you are planning to do the hike as a quick overnight backpacking trip, you will need a, , and all visitors will need to pay the small fee to park at the, on some easy switchbacks through aspen and pine groves, winding along Buchanan Creek. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, A natural wonder of Rocky Mountain National Park, the 9.4-mile out-and-back trek to Chasm Lake features granite summits, a rushing waterfall, and alpine meadows. Expect this hike to take 10-15 hours. On crowded weekends or in the summer from June through October, you will need to. Photo Credit: marekuliasz (iStock). No one wants to see poop bags on the trail even if you are planning to pick it up later. The hike to Loch Lake is quite stunning, and a must-visit for any moderate hiker. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. Become educated on the topic, and be sure to keep an eye on those hiking with you. Upper Blue Lake from Quandary Peak. Not all public lands are free to enter. If you are looking for a quick way to escape the city, this is a great region to hike in. Photo: Jeff Richards. The natural wonder can be found just below American Peak. (Photo Credit: Steven Bratman under CC BY-SA). racist or sexually-oriented language. There are several large waterfalls along the way including the trails namesake, Cascade Falls, a particularly scenic multitiered waterfall that you will get an up-close look at as the trail switchbacks from the base of the falls to the top. This trail is dirt and has some stairs to help with erosion, so if you prefer to stick to the paved path, you can bypass this trail and stay on the Perkins Central Garden Trail. Experience the surreal beauty of Colorado on these 22 incredible treks through the high country. : Breckenridge, CO, in the Arapaho National Forest, 88 miles southwest of Denver, Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. Maroon Bells, near Aspen, are two of Colorado's most famous mountains and are well known for their views. This hike is mostly on the valley floor, passing multiple lakes on the way to the final pair of the Chicago lakes. Nothing from Ouray or Cheyenne Caon? Fall is popular timing to make the trek. 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. Colorado has some of the most incredible hiking in the country. 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. . Micro-spikes and snowshoes can be necessary during the winter months (October-April). Distance: 6.7 milesElevation gain: 764 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. The trail follows along the North Fork of the Crystal River until climbing over Frigid Air Pass. The 8.7-mile out-and-back trail climbs steeply into the mountains starting from the base of the South Mineral Valley near Silverton. After this, you will enjoy a long, mostly mellow descent back to the trailhead. After this, you will enjoy a long, mostly mellow descent back to the trailhead. As one of the classic Boulder hikes, youll get an up-close view of the famous Flatirons. 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. 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. It is important to always bring extra layers and a waterproof jacket while hiking in Colorado. We use affiliate links in our content andmay receive a small commission on your purchases. This is a 7.8-mile with 1920-feet elevation gain. Afternoon thunderstorms are dangerous and kill hikers each year. Mt. The next section will now include some of the best hiking in Colorado. You will be rewarded for your efforts with scenic views to the south toward the distinctive, slanted rock formations of Red Rocks. The low mileage and incredibly dramatic scenery make for a great hike. The family have visited 15 national parks and visited 16 states - collecting a magnet for everyone. You may spot deer and coyotes in the area as well. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. Plan your next outdoor adventure to one of 4,595 routes with waterfalls or scenic . Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. Here are 10 hikes to take that lead to pristine bodies of water. Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). Be prepared to not have cell service while you hike. This trail appears to dead-end at Mirror Lake, a small lake with Lone Eagle Peak in the background. , Quandary makes a great first 14er to tackle. The incredibly large region of the San Juan mountains includes some of the highest and most rugged hiking in the state. Grays and Torreys are so commonly hiked together that many refer to the two 14ers inseparably. Austin Bluffs Open Space 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. This has arguably the highest concentration of accessible hikes in the state due to the Boulder area as well as the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Towering beautifully over hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers, the unique red rock formations offer a playground of adventure. Photo Credit: Bryan Hagan, OutThere Colorado. Photo Credit: eschuette1. The west end of this narrow lake is framed by Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. Pro Tip: If youre into hiking up peaks, this trailhead offers access to some of the best 13ers in Colorado. Nestled beautifully in the San Juan Mountains, lies theIce Lake Basin. To get to lake and back, you're looking at an 8.2-mile trek that gains 2,752 feet in elevation. Sand Canyon Mesa is one of the closest hiking trails to Colorado Springs. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. 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. check out this blog https://longevity.media/top-10-reasons-why-we-need-to-experience-the-outdoors-more for 10 reasons why we need to be more outdoors that will get you motivated. 1. Location: For the purpose of this article, this would be in the San Juan section, but Mount Elbert is really in the Sawatch Range. South Colony Lakes holds a special place in my heart. Thats why they call it breckenwind! From here, you have one final pass to completeWest Maroon Pass on the. Most visitors enter through the east side of the park near the town of Estes Park. 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. There are plenty of amazing hikes in Colorado, but this one will be very different. Featuring hiking trails found throughout the state, theres a breathtaking hike virtually anywhere! Just outside of the main area of Rocky Mountain National Park, youll find the Lumpy Ridge area. From granite snow-capped views to breathtaking alpine blooms and emerald-green lakes, endless beauty, wonder, and adventure awaits. Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be kept on leash. : Deckers, CO, in Pike National Forest, 45 miles south of Denver, : 360-degree views from a historic fire tower. 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