most beautiful hikes in colorado

The trail heads deeper into Tyndall Gorge until reaching Emerald Lake, which is tucked under the rocky summits of Hallett and Flattop. Enjoy the breathtaking views, and if you are lucky, youll see some mountain goats! DEVIL'S HEAD LOOKOUT 7. Be Proactive. Colorado is known for its abundant sunny weather, mountain views and nearly year-round hiking opportunities. The round-trip journey clocks in at about 2.1 miles gaining close to 900 feet in elevation. Pack out all your trash with you. This is a great resource released by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. After completing the Palmer Trail, you will turn briefly onto. Location: San Juans. Photo Credit: Matt Vincent. Chief Mountain. Some of the most amazing landscape shots from Colorado occur during fall colors and that first snowfall. It is common to spot mountain goats on the peak as well, so be awareespecially if you are hiking with a dog. Experience the surreal beauty of Colorado on these 22 incredible treks through the high country. As a scared site for nearby Native Americans, these sand dunes boast magical scenery. Explore the high country with a triple alpine lake ascent to Mowhawk Lakes via Spruce Creek Trail. 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. It might be the only hike in the state to safely do barefoot! For an added bonus, time your hike to catch the sunrise or sunset. Summer thunderstorms are very common on Mount Elbert and can prove to be fatal. The city has narrowed down a new nature center in this area. You will be rewarded for your efforts with scenic views to the south toward the distinctive, slanted rock formations of Red Rocks. Upper Blue Lake from Quandary Peak. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere 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. These geographical regions are subjective but will provide a good layout of hiking in the state. Once you reach the base of Devils Head, you cant miss the red stairway snaking up the side of the large rock outcropping. Living up to its namesake, this beautiful alpine lake hosts an array of skyscraping rock formations that seem to defy gravity. After living in Colorado for over 12 years, Ive scoured the landscape to find the best hikes in Colorado. Photo Credit: tonda (iStock). Colorado Maroon Bells - Crater Lake Reflection Horizontal. Photo credit: TRAILSOURCE.COM (flickr), If you're looking to spend a little more time in nature, take to the trails by exploring one of the largest wilderness areas in the state the Weminuche Wilderness. Longs Peak (Estes Park) Every peak bagger should add the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak to their bucket list. 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. Most high alpine roads will open up in June each summer. Teens and pre-teens are one of the most sought-after spending crowds, with retailers looking for ways to win their business. The majority of the roads up to the high alpine backcountry do not open until June every season. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Photo Credit: Steven Bratman. Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). The start of the trail is fairly well-packed singletrack. Hiking has been a popular Colorado activity since the Colorado Trail was created in the 1970s. Its also an iconic beginner Colorado 14er so if you can, come early (start before 5 am to beat the crowds, 6 am to hike safely and avoid summer storm cycles). It includes Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Rico. Its quintessentially Colorado and home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the state. Hikers may opt for the trail or service road (shorter) to reach the lakes. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Mount Elber is 14,440 feet tall, making it the highest point in the state. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. TheDecalibron Looptraverses over fourColorado 14ersin Pike National Forest located near the mountain town of Alma. : Deckers, CO, in Pike National Forest, 45 miles south of Denver, : 360-degree views from a historic fire tower. Snowshoes are recommended in the early season. Aspen, Colorado is obviously known for its Aspen trees! 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. In the spring, you may spot wildflowers like columbines, and there are a few groves of aspen that give a pop of golden color in the fall. In fact, there are five different hikes in this area that range in length from 1 to 13 miles (round trip) and that vary in difficulty between easy and moderate. The shaded trail passes through conifer forests interspersed with rock formations and outcroppings. Especially in the fall and summer season, Rocky Mountain National Park is incredibly busy. The stairs are steep, and while there are railings the entire way, those who fear heights may choose to enjoy the view from the ground. 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. One of the best hikes in Colorado is the iconic Mirror Lake. 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. These sandstone tower formations are scattered around the park. It receives a fair amount of attention for many reasons; notably, its position in Rocky Mountain National Park, proximity to large urban areas, and overall splendor. Other high altitude fishing spots found within the park include Fern Lake, Sandbeach Lake, Mills Lake, Sky Pond, Lawn Lake, and Big Crystal Lake. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. This is by far the most photographed spot in Colorado. Its a popular, but challenging, 7.5-mile, out-and-back hike that will take you through the gorgeous, Mount Evans Wilderness area. Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. 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! A small baggie to pack out trash such as fruit peels/cores, snack bags, toilet paper, and other waste. Starting at the Kite Lake Trailhead, the7.6-mile trailgains 3,359 feet of elevation. Location: Northern Front Range. Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be kept on leash. Dont stop here, as another singletrack trail on the west side of Mirror Lake heads on to. 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. Be sure to be physically prepared for this hike. This is by far one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. When hiking above the treeline, it is incredibly important to watch the weather and be off the summit before 2pm. You will have glimpses to the north of Garden of the Gods as you continue to climb. 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. Fall can quickly turn to winter in some areas of the state. Snow can last on this hike well into June. Plan your next outdoor adventure to one of 4,595 routes with waterfalls or scenic . 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. Photo: Jeff Richards. Be sure to check road conditions. This area is roughly the region south of I-70 and encompasses a huge area. This section is the most challenging part of the hike, with loose switchbacks and rocky stairs to navigate. A look at the tail-end of a sunrise as it hits the boulder field just below the Keyhole. Local Tip: This trail has been undergoing restoration work and will re-open on June 25th, 2022. The hike then loops back north along the Red Rocks Trail to return to the trailhead. Plus, many of the states most scenic byways are open so you can definitely go for a lovely drive either before or after your hike. Quick rainstorms and thunderstorms are also not uncommon up in the high country. Be sure to be off of the hike in the early afternoon before the thunderstorms, as the hike is nice and exposed. Distance: 8.6 miles roundtrip. You can learn more about avalanche forecasting and avalanche safety at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Whether you plan to summit one or all four peaks, always plan toLeave No Trace. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism One can hike all year round in Colorado. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Distance: 5.0 milesElevation Gain: 741 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are not allowed and its $25 to enter the park. There are many different items one should bring hiking while in Colorado. Ive spent a lot of time on these trails without a soul in sight. 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. Photo Credit: James Walton. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). 10. Nature & Parks, State Parks. 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. Let me know! Featuring hiking trails found throughout the state, theres a breathtaking hike virtually anywhere! No dogs. Fill in your details below, or select an option to login: Hiking up Quandary Peak. From granite snow-capped views to breathtaking alpine blooms and emerald-green lakes, endless beauty, wonder, and adventure awaits. The 9.1-mile out-and-back trail, which is rated as hard, rewards hikers with incredible views. The hike also starts off relatively easy and that gets progressively more intense once you get past Little Causeway Lake and the Chinese Wall. A 44 vehicle is a must to get up to the trailhead. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. : Breckenridge, CO, in the Arapaho National Forest, 88 miles southwest of Denver, Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. Once you reach the fire tower, which is situated at 9,748 feet, the 360-degree views are fantastic. They are among the most photographed mountains in the country. The road is rather rocky and a 44 car is recommended. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. 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. This leaves one exposed to lightning strikes, which causes about 2 fatalities per year in Colorado. Hikers will enjoy pleasant spring weather along the Front Range and stunning summers and autumns in the mountains. This hike itself is rather short, but the views are impressive. This could be the most popular fall hike in Colorado. Located near Glenwood Springs (one of Colorados best mountain towns), getting to the Hanging Lake Trailhead is a breeze. Crystal Mill is every photographer's dream. Because the hiking is on the sand, there isnt much of an established trail. Here are a few must-do hikes in the area. If you are planning an overnight trip, you must self-register at the trailhead, and bear canisters are required. At 13,420 feet, Pacific Tarn is the highest alpine lake in the United States, and you can have it all to yourself. Distance: 8.7 milesElevation Gain: 1,860 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. 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. Its quintessentially Colorado and home to some of the most photographed spot in Colorado region south of I-70 encompasses. Alpine Lake hosts an array of skyscraping rock formations and outcroppings, 7.5-mile, out-and-back hike that will take through. Alpine backcountry do not open until June Every season for your efforts scenic. On events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life Mount Elbert and can prove to fatal! Lot of time on these trails without a soul in sight mountain of... 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