A look at the tail-end of a sunrise as it hits the boulder field just below the Keyhole. The hike itself is quite moderate, it is steady uphill for most of the hike. Photo Credit: Erik Sommerfeld; American Institute of Architects. Especially in the fall and summer season, Rocky Mountain National Park is incredibly busy. The 9.1-mile out-and-back trail, which is rated as hard, rewards hikers with incredible views. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, The trailhead is also very popular for climbing Handies Peak, a Colorado fourteener in the San Juan Mountains. 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. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, American Basin is best explored from mid-July to early August. For some parts of the state, it is starting to get warmer, and the flowers are blooming. As I was researching lodging near Estes Park, CO, for our 6th trip to hike Rocky Mountain National Park, I came across this list. The park is easily accessed off of County Road 93 and has several large parking areas with ample room. Nestled beautifully in the San Juan Mountains, lies theIce Lake Basin. While the natural wonder can be reached by car, a quick trek will also take you there. Really?? Treasure Falls, Colorado 81147, USA. The trick? 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. Its almost a rite of passage to hike this iconic hiking trail in Colorado. Journey into the high country, climbing the state's second-highest peak Mount Massive. On a clear summer day, you will likely join a line of hikers on the way to the summits. For an added bonus, time your hike to catch the sunrise or sunset. Read moreabout us. Photo by Michael DeLuca on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/xqh4Zk. Due to the popularity of the hike, you must have a permit to hike the trail between May and October. : Deckers, CO, in Pike National Forest, 45 miles south of Denver, : 360-degree views from a historic fire tower. Explore the high country with a triple alpine lake ascent to Mowhawk Lakes via Spruce Creek Trail. Some are better accessed with 4-wheel drive, and some are even only accessible by shuttle. The incredibly large region of the San Juan mountains includes some of the highest and most rugged hiking in the state. This list encompasses the most scenic hikes in Colorado. Inside this guide youll find tons of info about the most scenic Colorado hikes and how to visit them without the crowds. A small, packable rain jacket can be great to throw in your pack. For an easy and beautiful Colorado hike that is as short and sweet as it is iconic, look no further than the Garden of the Gods and its Perkins Central Garden Trail! From Bluebell Road, turn onto the Royal Arch Trail. In fact, this is one of the best lake hikes in Colorado and hiking Lake Haiyaha is a real treat for winter. Regardless of the hike and weather conditions, you should always bring extra layers, extra food, and a first aid kit. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the. The city has narrowed down a new nature center in this area. . It is not a bad idea to wear a climbing helmet for the 3rd class scramble, as there are lots of loose rocks. This hike has fantastic views of the mountains in the front range and Summit county. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Today, outdoor enthusiasts continue to visit from all over . Distance: 3.6 milesElevation gain: 1,446 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly and very crowded. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. 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. Season: All year-round. If youre looking for an easy trail with great mountain and city views, check out Alderfer Three Sisters Trail. 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. You will have glimpses to the north of Garden of the Gods as you continue to climb. Dependent on the seasonal opening of Independence Pass. The 13.6-mile path winds beautifully through the high country of knee-high spring blooms with specular views of the Gothic Valley and Mount Crested Butte. 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. Photo Credit: James Walton. If you are in the area for this hike, it is worth it to drive to the summit of Mt. Ive spent a lot of time on these trails without a soul in sight. Although its not technically a day hike, you cant mention the best hiking in Colorado without mentioning the Colorado Trail and Kenosha Pass. Trekking poles can be helpful for this steep section. The first snowfall up high can occur as early as the first week of September! For one of the best hikes in Colorado to get a flavor of the whole state, you need this hike It is located in White River National Park and the Mayflower Lake and Mohawk Lakes trail offers one of the best hikes. 2. This is another great 14er hike to do in the I-70 area. Known for its striking emerald green waters, the lake often glows under the mountain sun. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Found in Rocky Mountain National Park, cross the natural wonder of Emerald Lakeoff your bucket list. Upper Blue Lake from Quandary Peak. The round-trip journey clocks in at about 2.1 miles gaining close to 900 feet in elevation. 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 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. This hike is one of the most beautiful and most popular hikes inside Rocky Mountain National Park. You will need to check-in at the South Rim visitors center to get a permit. You'll need reservations to explore the iconic alpine wonder. Although short, theres quite a bit of gain on this hike, making it moderate in difficulty. The west end of this narrow lake is framed by Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. Theres a $12 per-person permit required to hike. The hikes in this area are commonly at higher altitudes and will often start at 9,000 or 10,000 feet above sea level. Distance: 6.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,755 feetDifficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dont pick or prance around in the wildflowers. The next mile is the most strenuous, and where you will gain most of the loops 1,200 feet of elevation. The natural wonder can be found just below American Peak. Towns like Telluride, Silverton, and Durango will be nearby for hiking in this region. Because the hiking is on the sand, there isnt much of an established trail. Photo Credit: klosfoto (iStock). Location: Northern Front Range. In the summer, youll find folks heading up St. Marys glacier to go skiing, or some will even jump into the glacial-fed lake! 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. Hiking at altitude is tough work. Towards the summit there may be a few rocky sections, be on the lookout for loose rocks. With miles of trails, the park is a great jumping-off point for a short hike, a long outing or even just a picnic at the park with the Flatirons as your backdrop. The 8.7-mile out-and-back trail climbs steeply into the mountains starting from the base of the South Mineral Valley near Silverton. This is probably the most popular 14er hike in the Denver region. You then connect back to Perkins Central Garden Trail to return to the trailhead. Keep in mind wag bags are required here. Although we do have a Willow Lake Trail here in Silverthorne, I dont believe it is the one depicted in the photos, and Silverthorne is definitely not in the Sangre de Christo area. This hike provides a great introduction to hiking in Colorado and the Boulder Open Space trails. A lighter snow season will allow for earlier season hiking. Here comes the big question! The lookout is accessible when staffed (typically mid-May through mid-September), and hikers can climb the 143 stairs up the side of Devils Head to the tower to enjoy jaw-dropping views of the Front Range and the Rocky Mountains. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Season: Summer; June, July, and August. Lone Eagle Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This will prevent your legs from getting cold and dirty! 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. Generally speaking, areas above 9,000 feet in springtime are definitely still covered in snow. There are plenty of amazing hikes in Colorado, but this one will be very different. This area will encompass Denver north to Fort Collins with hikes that are accessible from the eastern urban corridor. As a scared site for nearby Native Americans, these sand dunes boast magical scenery. If so then why not try this stellar out and back hike? Nestled in the Indian Peaks Wilderness lies the wow-worthy granite spectacle. This hike is in Rocky Mountain National Park about 15 minutes from Estes Park. 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. 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. The low mileage and incredibly dramatic scenery make for a great hike. Photo Credit: Bryan Hagan, OutThere Colorado. A series of steep and rocky switchbacks will take you to the lake. Location: Start of the I-70 corridor. The trails tend to be snow-free and the roads are open. 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. Colorado is known for its snow-capped mountains and breathtaking landscapes. These stunning sandstone monoliths inspire the imagination. Photo Credit: tonda (iStock). Distance: 14.6 milesElevation Gain: 2,375 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. ,: 360-degree views from a historic fire tower need to check-in at the South Mineral Valley near..,: 360-degree views from a historic fire tower is starting to get warmer, and are! 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