Its one of the most crowded hikes in the world, so do take care to leave it better than you found it and follow all signage you are not allowed to swim in the lake. One can encounter snow on Colorado hiking trails all year round. After living in Colorado for over 12 years, Ive scoured the landscape to find the best hikes in Colorado. In fact, this trail is so lovely that is popular among hikers, birders, and cross-country skiers alike. The hike also starts off relatively easy and that gets progressively more intense once you get past Little Causeway Lake and the Chinese Wall. This section is the most challenging part of the hike, with loose switchbacks and rocky stairs to navigate. Sneffels allows one to get a great sense of just how vast the San Juans really are. 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. The hike itself is quite moderate, it is steady uphill for most of the hike. 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. BISON PEAK Bison Peak is considered one of Colorado's best trails for the early summer months. There is limited parking both at the main Chautauqua Park and along the street, and if you are visiting during peak hours or during the summer, consider taking the, Starting from the main parking area, take, , a wide, hard-packed trail that climbs between a neighborhood on the east and a wide meadow on the west. Sneffels Wilderness and to the base of one of Colorado's most popular 14ers. The trail follows along the North Fork of the Crystal River until climbing over Frigid Air Pass. Located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, Bear Creek Canyon Regional Park is tucked away in the rolling and forested foothills of Pikes Peak. Theres a good reason for it: Hanging Lake LOOKS like a place where fairies and gnomes would live. There are also great groups on Facebook that post trail conditions. Spring or fall can call for micro-spikes for the hike. 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. Its free. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. 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. Teens and pre-teens are one of the most sought-after spending crowds, with retailers looking for ways to win their business. One can experience snowstorms in June, warm weather in February, or even a sunny summer day interrupted by intense thunderstorms. It is between the San Juans and the I-70 corridor. Dog-friendly. South Colony Lakes holds a special place in my heart. The trail is broken into 28 segments, most of which can be done in a day or as an overnight. 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. North Cheyenne Canon is a very rugged hiking destination with access to gorgeous windy roads through the mountains. Parts of this ecosystem are fragile. With any season, conditions can be variable. 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. If you arent cozy pooping in a bag and packing it out, stay home. Situated north of Red Rocks Park, Matthews/Winters Park offers a unique vantage point looking south toward Red Rocks. The descent can be quite dangerous, watch out for loose rocks. This will prevent your legs from getting cold and dirty! Adding another Colorado 14er combo to the summer bucket list, the Grays and Torreys Trail is packed with both beauty and challenge. Everybody knows about them, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt check them out. After completing the Palmer Trail, you will turn briefly onto. It is very important to be off of the summit in the early afternoon to prevent exposure to thunderstorms. 2236 Park Hill Dr, P. O. These stunning sandstone monoliths inspire the imagination. About 20 minutes outside of Silverton, CO. Chicago Lakes starts off steep and mellows out as it meanders down a valley towards the backside of Mount Evans. Mountains above 14,000 feet are known as 14ers. Colorado has some of the most incredible hiking in the country. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. , a steady uphill trail that gains around 850 feet as it climbs from the trailhead to the base of the stairs at Devils Head. Starting from the main parking area, take Bluebell Road, a wide, hard-packed trail that climbs between a neighborhood on the east and a wide meadow on the west. No one wants to see poop bags on the trail even if you are planning to pick it up later. Photo Credit: shaferaphoto (iStock). This is a family-friendly hike that should not be missed in Colorado. Hikers can bag four peaks in a single day trek including Mount Bross (14,172 feet), Mount Lincoln (14,286 feet), Mount Cameron (14,238 feet) and Mount Democrat (14,148 feet). 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. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Treasure Falls, Colorado 81147, USA. This is a great way to have a visual look at all of the trails in the state. SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop, Start your hike at the East Portal Trailhead near the Moffat Tunnel. This is by far one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. This ultimate guide to the best hikes in Colorado gives you an array of local hiking recommendations for all abilities. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Her dream job is journalist. Enjoy the easier hiking at lower elevations while you can, as the Geneva Lake Trail quickly has you climbing back to 12,000 feet over Trail Rider Pass. 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 so then why not try this stellar out and back hike? racist or sexually-oriented language. Bursting with beauty, the trail features rushing alpine waters, wildflower meadows, and a variety of wildlife including bear, elk, moose, deer, and marmots. This trek features wildflowers, waterfalls, lakes, and a historic building. 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. Most visitors enter through the east side of the park near the town of Estes Park. The unbelievably turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make it an incredibly beautiful adventure. From here, you briefly connect to the Red Rocks Trail before the serious climb starts on the Morrison Slide Trail. Photo Credit: tonda (iStock). Once over your second pass, you get a bit of a respite on the, , which traverses a wide, high-altitude basin that is carpeted in wildflowers in season. Local Tip: This trail has been undergoing restoration work and will re-open on June 25th, 2022. As the trailhead is located around 11,000 feet in elevation, the tree coverage is pretty sparse right from the beginning. Avalanche terrain should be taken very seriously. Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the free shuttle. The colors of summer grace hikers along Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes. 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. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. The shaded trail passes through conifer forests interspersed with rock formations and outcroppings. Typically the trail is snow-free from mid-June through mid-October. Keep in mind wag bags are required here. Seeing it dusted in snow is a true treat. Living up to its namesake, this beautiful alpine lake hosts an array of skyscraping rock formations that seem to defy gravity. While hiking in Colorado, it is advisable to wear hiking boots that give your feet and ankles good support. When she isnt running, she works as a trail content editor for Trail Run Project, where she now gets to spend her day dreaming about trails and adventuringthe perfect job since she cant run 24/7. On a clear day you can see Longs Peak from Boulder and from some of the Denver suburbs. Due to the high exposure of this hike, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes with you, all year round! Distance: 1.6 milesElevation Gain: 232 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are not allowed and its $25 to enter the park. Its my mission to get you out on the best Colorado hiking trails like a local, not a tourist. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, The trailhead is also very popular for climbing Handies Peak, a Colorado fourteener in the San Juan Mountains. See my guide to hiking Colorado 14ers for more info. Micro-spikes can useful when there is snow on the windswept trail. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. 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. The first mile is a gentle climb, winding through red rock formations and scrub oak. If you are looking for a quick way to escape the city, this is a great region to hike in. Really?? 19. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). It is extremely steep. Distance: 6.7 milesElevation gain: 764 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Its $25 to enter the park. Soakers visiting from early October to late June may encounter snow. Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. Dependent on the seasonal opening of Independence Pass. No dogs. Distance: 14 milesElevation gain: 2,444 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Some scrambling required, but nothing too strenuous. Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock). Once you reach the base of Devils Head, you cant miss the red stairway snaking up the side of the large rock outcropping. Plan on resting more and drinking water often. On crowded weekends or in the summer from June through October, you will need to take a shuttle from town. There are two main lakes to visit on the ice lake basin trail hike. 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. Torreys sits at 14,267 feet and offers equally stunning views. Be sure to park in the designated overnight parking lot. You will need a park pass and, as this is a popular trailhead, be sure to arrive earlyespecially in the summer months. This 737-acre city park offers more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. 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