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. Dog-friendly. For the more alpine regions, spring can either still be winter, or it can be very muddy. Treasure Falls, Colorado 81147, USA. Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the free shuttle. Once you reach the base of Devils Head, you cant miss the red stairway snaking up the side of the large rock outcropping. You will need to watch your footing on the slope of Grays as you climb to the summit at 14,270 feet. Some of the most amazing landscape shots from Colorado occur during fall colors and that first snowfall. 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. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the. Headed back east, Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most unexpectedly beautiful places in Colorado. 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. The next mile is the most strenuous, and where you will gain most of the loops 1,200 feet of elevation. The canyon itself features gorgeous sandstone formations and plenty of beautiful scenery. Youll need special gear, or you can hire a guide for an adventure you wont forget. Parts of this ecosystem are fragile. Continue on another one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and attempt this semi-challenging out and back hike. That being said, for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness who are acclimated to the altitude and prepared with the. Windom Peak via Needle Creek Trail is a 17.8 mile moderately trafficked trail that gains roughly 5,879 feet in elevation and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Mount Elber is 14,440 feet tall, making it the highest point in the state. Parts of the trailhead may also be inaccessible during these months. Generally speaking, areas above 9,000 feet in springtime are definitely still covered in snow. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation gain: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. Due to the high exposure of this hike, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes with you, all year round! Nature & Parks, State Parks. The unbelievable electric blue waters of Ice Lake make this one of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. Pro Tip: If youre into hiking up peaks, this trailhead offers access to some of the best 13ers in Colorado. As one of the best hikes in Colorado, its worth the effort to be the tallest thing around! 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. With any season, conditions can be variable. Longs Peak. 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. There are also great groups on Facebook that post trail conditions. There are two main lakes to visit on the ice lake basin trail hike. Its rugged and long and is only hike on this list that requires a helmet. 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. From here, you briefly connect to the Red Rocks Trail before the serious climb starts on the Morrison Slide Trail. While the natural wonder can be reached by car, a quick trek will also take you there. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism This guide includes: Get oriented with this map of Colorado Hikes. Non-cotton clothing. This section of the hike passes through a verdant high-alpine meadow where the wildflowers are plentiful in season. If you time it right, you can even be at the lake to view the first snowfall on the Maroon bells, with the fall colors still bright down below. This 737-acre city park offers more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the. It also depends on the snow year. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. Even for someone that lives in Colorado, anyone can get altitude sickness when hiking up high, most commonly above 8,000 feet. Local Tip: This trail has been undergoing restoration work and will re-open on June 25th, 2022. Evans as well. Be on the lookout for mountain goats in the summer. 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. The best time of year to hike in Colorado. Can We Interest You in Some Of These Stories Instead? A small, packable rain jacket can be great to throw in your pack. Winter brings solitude through deep snow in the woods. Also, dont attempt the climb if there is a chance of a thunderstorma fairly common summer afternoon occurrence. There are a number of routes for reaching the 14,421-foot summit. REI member since 2018. Due to the low level of difficulty and its proximity to Denver, this hike can get very popular. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Wildflower lovers will be delighted by the serene beauty found on the 401 Trail in Crested Butte. If youre planning a visit to this remote destination, please follow the. In just under a mile, this trail gains an astonishing 905 feet in elevation. Compared to the rest of the country, cell service in Colorado is not that great. However, if you plan on adventuring above the trees, start early in the morning to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Some notable segments are: While its difficult to choose one, the prettiest hike in Colorado is probably the hike to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. The trail becomes rockier as you climb. The turquoise coloring is unlike anything else in the state. , Quandary makes a great first 14er to tackle. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. 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. Also, keep an eye out for moose and other wildlife. Don't knowingly lie about anyone From the trailhead, the hike starts with an easy stroll on the, , a flat, wide and easygoing path. Like other 14er hikes, it is very important to start early and end early. Once you have traversed the high-alpine tundra of the pass, the trail descends along a creek before ending at Crater Lake. However, keep in mind that many trailheads become inaccessible in the winter. 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 round-trip journey clocks in at about 2.1 miles gaining close to 900 feet in elevation. From Bluebell Road, turn onto the Royal Arch Trail. This hike has fantastic views of the mountains in the front range and Summit county. You then connect back to Perkins Central Garden Trail to return to the trailhead. According to the National Park Service, Star Dune hikers should plan for a five-hour round trip. While hiking in Colorado, it is advisable to wear hiking boots that give your feet and ankles good support. From jaw-dropping mountain vistas to quirky sandstone monoliths, there are all sorts of hiking to do in Colorado. Pants will also be nice to have in case of a rogue thunderstorm. However, theres plenty to see here. This section of the hike passes through a verdant high-alpine meadow where the wildflowers are plentiful in season. Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be kept on leash. The descent can be quite dangerous, watch out for loose rocks. : Morrison, CO, in Matthews/Winters Park, 15 miles west of Denver, : An easily accessible hike on Colorados Front Range. Spring can be a tough time to hike, depending on the conditions. Related: The Locals Guide to Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. Garden of the Gods is not only one of the most scenic places in Colorado, but the trails that trace through this landscape also make up some of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado too. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Youll never know what you could find! 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. Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. 6. Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Between the general region of the San Juans and the southern front range. And if youre feeling energetic, you can always do this hike in tandem with several other treks in the area. Photo Credit: johnnya123 (iStock). Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. To get to the lakes, you'll climb 1.6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,062 feet. Moose are often spotted grazing with their young along the grassy meadows. A few miles from downtown Boulder, CO. 30 minutes NW from Downtown Denver. Micro-spikes and snowshoes can be necessary during the winter months (October-April). Success! Palmer Park: Best Hiking Trail in Colorado Springs. Thanks to its strategic location, its suitable for year-round hiking. If youre just getting into summiting mountains, then head up to the top of Mount Sniktau. This road is only open in the summer months. If you are planning an overnight trip, you must self-register at the trailhead, and bear canisters are required. Distance: 1.6 milesElevation Gain: 232 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are not allowed and its $25 to enter the park. 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. , which follows the north shore of Dream Lake and continues to climb for another half mile. As with any hiking day, it is especially important to drink lots of water and make sure you are eating enough. Expect this hiking area to be very busy. Distance: 8.9 milesElevation gain: 2,286 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This trail mostly follows a road and requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to reach the upper trailhead. This trail offers amazing hiking year-round (psst, its one of my favorite Colorado winter hikes). 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