There are two main lakes to visit on the ice lake basin trail hike. The best hikes in Colorado are a great way to experience the state's terrain with 39,000 miles of trails of varying lengths, difficulty levels, and scenery. Towering beautifully over hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers, the unique red rock formations offer a playground of adventure. If you are looking for some of the most dramatic mountain views in the United States, the San Juans are the place to be. Backdropped by beautiful peaks, the sandy "mountain" rises 699 feet off the ground. The High Dune gives a spectacular view of this one-in-a-kind national park. , a National Natural Landmark with preserved dinosaur tracks, to the east. You can even continue on to the famous Sky Pond. Season: Summer. 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. Be aware of rattlesnakes in the warmer months as they often sun themselves along the trails. This 27-mile loop is most commonly backpacked as a three- or four-night trip. Torreys sits at 14,267 feet and offers equally stunning views. This moderately easy trail works its way straight up to a scenic perch. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. The Great Sand Dunes rise almost randomly out of the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It provides stunning views of three different lakes and Hallet Peak, a 11,000-foot mountain that is popular amongst rock climbers. best practices. Theres a saying in Colorado that goes west slope best slope. This area of the state isnt as easy to access compared to other hiking areas closer to Denver. This is a family-friendly hike that should not be missed in Colorado. During the summer of 2021 there is a permit system to enter RMNP. Longs Peak. 19. The trail heads deeper into Tyndall Gorge until reaching Emerald Lake, which is tucked under the rocky summits of Hallett and Flattop. Its my mission to get you out on the best Colorado hiking trails like a local, not a tourist. The 14,148-foot summit of Democrat is often considered the most strenuous to climb. One can experience snowstorms in June, warm weather in February, or even a sunny summer day interrupted by intense thunderstorms. Opt to get their early or make it an overnight to get more time. The 8.7-mile out-and-back trail climbs steeply into the mountains starting from the base of the South Mineral Valley near Silverton. Distance: 3.1Elevation Gain: 990Difficulty: easy to moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. You will spot one large waterfall about a mile east of Hasley Basin where the panoramic view also includes the backside of the Maroon Bells. While it may be one of the easier hikes on this list, there's certainly no shortage of alpine beauty on the Waterdog Lakes Trail. Explore one of 1,477 family-friendly hikes for a sunny weekend. The Sharkstooth Trail is an excellent way to tour this lonely chain of distinct peaks. Whether youre looking for hikes to a waterfall, a secluded walk in the woods, or a full day adventure up a 14er, there are endless options for all levels of hiking experiences. Photo Credit: kjschoen (iStock). If you are searching for a first-time hike or are visiting the park for a single day, look no further than the hike to Emerald Lake. The Dream Lake Trail continues to climb from Nymph Lake up into Tyndall Gorge, crossing Tyndall Creek before coming to the eastern edge of Dream Lake. (Photos Credit: Hiking Project Contributor Nick Wilder). Photo Credit: Matt Vincent. . 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. The trail starts mellow and quickly builds up to steep elevation gains. 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. Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. This hike is mostly on the valley floor, passing multiple lakes on the way to the final pair of the Chicago lakes. Colorado has some of the most incredible hiking in the country. Starting at the Kite Lake Trailhead, the7.6-mile trailgains 3,359 feet of elevation. Most people opt to backpack this trail since youll find it hard to leave. The colors of summer grace hikers along Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes. On a calm, clear day the mountains reflections in the lake makes for a picture-perfect setting. Seeing it dusted in snow is a true treat. This loop is a mix of aerobically challenging climbing combined with pleasant views. If so then why not try this stellar out and back hike? Most segments fall within the moderate to upper end of difficult. Non-cotton clothing. Winter brings solitude through deep snow in the woods. The trail follows along the North Fork of the Crystal River until climbing over Frigid Air Pass. Weather, accessibility, hike difficulty, length, and elevation gain are all factors to consider when choosing a hike in Colorado. Kristen is a native Coloradan and longtime runner who enjoys running on the track, roads and now on the trails. Also, keep an eye out for moose and other wildlife. Photo Credit: James Harris Photography, While exploring American Basin, add Sloan Lake to your bucket list. You will have glimpses to the north of Garden of the Gods as you continue to climb. Colorado is the headquarters of hiking in the US, so it's not surprising that it has some of the most beautiful hikes in the country. The trail clocks in just a little over a mile to the top of Hanging Lake. The hike to Grays, and then onto Torreys gains a total of 3,479 feet in a little over four miles, following a section of the Continental Divide Trail. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). Additionally, the road to the trailhead is closed seasonally, usually from December to April. The La Plata Mountains can be found in southern Colorado and are normally accessed from the small town of Mancos. : 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. This is one of Colorados most famous lakes. Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. On the west side, you will spot the famous Kissing Camels, and to the east, White Rock. South Colony Lakes holds a special place in my heart. Don't knowingly lie about anyone 20 Most Beautiful Hikes in Colorado. Distance: 1.5 milesElevation gain: 406 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: no dogs allowed. From jaw-dropping mountain vistas to quirky sandstone monoliths, there are all sorts of hiking to do in Colorado. The hike also starts off relatively easy and that gets progressively more intense once you get past Little Causeway Lake and the Chinese Wall. These hikes are much harder to get to but provide more solitude and more adventure than hiking in other parts of the state. This is a great resource released by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. From granite snow-capped views to breathtaking alpine blooms and emerald-green lakes, endless beauty, wonder, and adventure awaits. As was mentioned above, some roads are closed for portions of the year, it is important to check on those closures. Hike along the seven bridges and check out the beautiful waterfall. The trail reaches its peak elevation around 7,800 feet at 2.5 miles with noteworthy views to the south. Photo by Michael DeLuca on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/xqh4Zk. This hike is very challenging due to the high starting elevation, and its elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. 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. From here, you briefly connect to the Red Rocks Trail before the serious climb starts on the Morrison Slide Trail. Prepare properly for scrambling a Colorado 14er and understand the risks you are getting into. Youll also experience medium elevation changes as you ascend the loop and see historic buildings created by Henry S. Persse in the early 1900s. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. 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. With a 14.5 mile round trip and over 5,000 ft elevation gain, this peak will challenge you in every way possible, but the end reward will be absolutely priceless. Breathtaking is an appropriate way to describe the loop in many ways, as the route gains more than 7,300 feet and climbs above 12,000 feet at four different passesBuckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Airand West Maroon. Its also only 3.2 miles long and takes you past some gorgeous alpine lakes. Hikes near towns such as Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen will be included in this area. Reaching the 11,780-foot lake begins from the Longs Peak Trailhead. 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. Really?? The first mile is a gentle climb, winding through red rock formations and scrub oak. This loop combines The Palmer Trail to Buckskin-Charlie, Niobrara, and the Bretang Trail to make a tour-de-garden. Ascending further up the trail, you'll find mine ruins just before reaching lower Mohawk Lake. Between the general region of the San Juans and the southern front range. Note that from mid-June through September between 8:30am 5:00pm, a shuttle is required to take to the trailhead. Some hikes may recommend hiking poles, or even a helmet while scrambling on more technical hiking trails. Here are 10 hikes to take that lead to pristine bodies of water. Snowshoes are recommended in the early season. Complete a classic Colorado climb with this advanced hike to the tallest peak in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Seven Bridges Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park. In fact, this is one of the best lake hikes in Colorado and hiking Lake Haiyaha is a real treat for winter. To the south, you will have views of Blue Lakes and North Star Mountain across the valley. Difficulty - Easy Distance - 2.3 miles Elevation gain - 2,000 feet Duration - 1 to 2 hours 5: Garden of the Gods Dreamstime/Lisa Mckown 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. Heavy snowfall shuts down the majority of hiking in the alpine environment due to avalanche concerns as well as intense cold weather. Colorado has some of the most incredible hiking in the country. home by Destinee Scott ATTN: The 12 Best President's Day Mattress Sales Have Already Begun (with Savings of Up to $880) home by Brianna Lapolla Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. The trail to the lake isnt particularly difficult, but it is long. ROYAL ARCH TRAIL 1. . Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. Explore the high country with a triple alpine lake ascent to Mowhawk Lakes via Spruce Creek Trail. Situated along the Continental Divide about an hour drive from Denver, this hike is very popular. This list encompasses the most scenic hikes in Colorado. Location: For the purpose of this article, this would be in the San Juan section, but Mount Elbert is really in the Sawatch Range. Heading towards Rollinsville, youll find the one's the most beautiful wildflower-laced treks in the state. Nearly every hiker who visits Rocky takes on the challenge of reaching Sky Pond. 1. Micro-spikes and snowshoes can be necessary during the winter months (October-April). Not only is it one of the most famous hikes in the state, but its also moderately difficult and suitable for families who are trying to get used to the altitude. Everybody knows about them, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt check them out. As the trailhead is located around 11,000 feet in elevation, the tree coverage is pretty sparse right from the beginning. 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. The Locals Guide to Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. The intense heat of the summer makes the high-altitude areas prime for late afternoon thunderstorms. When planning your trip, keep in mind that parking can be scarce at the eastern trailheads, especially in the summer. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Backcountry campsites are available by permit if you need more time to enjoy the view! Be sure to be off of the hike in the early afternoon before the thunderstorms, as the hike is nice and exposed. Location: I-70 corridor, a little under 3-hour drive from Denver. 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