Guide
Devil's Thumb Pass from the Hessie Trailhead
The hike to Devil's Thumb Pass is a wonderful hike for those who are able to make the journey. Although there are other, much shorter routes to the pass, none offer the scenery that you will encounter on this particular route. It is rated as moderate due to the length of the hike and the fact that you will ascend approx. 2400 feet (add another 800ft...
A hike within the Roosevelt National Forest
There are a couple of Blue Lakes in the Colorado front range. This one is located in the Roosevelt National Forest north of Nederland, near the small community of Ward. It is a fabulous hike in which you will encounter two major lakes (Mitchell and Blu) and several other streams and small ponds. Ther is abundant wildlife and flowers that offer some...
Mix of easy and difficult terrain. Popular hiking area.
Lesser used area is entirely land locked by private property except where forest road enters between houses. Fun, challenging terrain. Great views from top of Miller Rock. Popular hiking area. Good for unlicensed vehicles except no place to park at start. Drive in 0.1 miles to small spot. Trail is open all year, weather permitting. You can exit through...
Gem Lake is a great little hike with some awesome free views of Estes Park. The hike starts just outside of Estes up Devils Gulch Road. Turn on to Lumpy Ridge Road and park in the lot. All the pictures were taken at the start of March.
Trips
Located in Loch Vale of RMNP, striking views of granite towers, a hanging valley with alpine tarns, and a class-2 climb up the side of Timberline Falls.....what an enjoyable hike. Along the way, you'll pass Alberta Falls, one of RMNP's popular destinations. You pass along the west shore of The Loch. Soon after The Loch, Timberline Falls will come into view.Climb Timberline Falls on the west side, and if the flow is not...
Rocky Mountain NP: Lakes, lakes, lakes!
Fall River Estates Subdivision, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 6.6 miles
Hiking | 6.6 miles
I still remember my first trip to Bear Lake ... 42 years ago. It made a big impression on a kid from Kansas. I was really happy to make a return visit!When planning this trip, I didn't know how much time we would have, and how we would react to hiking at this elevation. So my Plan A objective was to make it up to Dream and Emerald Lakes. I am sure...
Chasm Lake is tucked in below Longs Peak (14,255') "Diamond" Face. It offers some outstanding views of Longs summit, the "Loft", "Lambs Slide", the "Ships Prow", and surrounding minor peaks like Estes Cone, Twin Sisters, Mt Lady Washington. The trail to Chasm Lake is well worth the 2400' climb.
We had great weather for the climb. We met a couple on Mills Moraine
that were descending from overnighting at Chasm Meadow. They were
wearing crampons,...
Tyndall Glacier, and Dream, Emerald, Nymph and Haiyaha
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 6.2 miles
Hiking | 6.2 miles
G and I left the house around 630 am and headed up to rocky mountain national park to see Tyndall Glacier. I dont think I ever saw it unless it was one of the snow piles by emerald lake!
Lily Mountain Trail, Roosevelt National Forest
Beaver Point, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 4.1 miles
Hiking | 4.1 miles
You'll see views of Longs Peak, Mt Meeker, Twin Sisters, Meadow, St. Vrain Mtns. Also the Mummy Range, and the Continental Divide from McHenrys Peak to Flattop Mtn.Lily Mtn (9,786') is only a 2 mile hike on a well-maintained trail; great for a 1/2-day hike to strech your legs. The summit offers some awesome views that you would not expect from the view of the summit from the highway. You'll also...
Bear, The Loch, Haiyaha, Dream, Nymph Lake Loop
Estes Park, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 7.0 miles
Hiking | 7.0 miles
Crystal clear, temps in the 70's, aspens changing, you couldn't ask for a more perfect day for a hike in RMNP. Originally it was meant to be an out and back from Bear Lake to The Loch. We decided to detour on the way back to Lake Haiyaha, giving us a chance to see Dream and Nymph of our drop back down to Bear Lake. This seven mile loop is a wonderful way...
The Sandbeach Lake Trail is a well-maintained route that will lead you to a sandbeach, on guess what lake? It climbs up the Wild Basin, offering views of the St. Vrain drainage to the east, Mt Copeland to the west. There are 6 formal campsites along the trail and at the lake, so it is good for a weekend overnight.Although we were somewhat rushed by the warning at the ranger station of...
A quick side trip to Rocky Mountain National Park while visiting a friend in Denver. I should have known it would be a chilly day when the weather called for wind gusts of 40-50 mph and the temperature at the Trailhead was 29 degress.... None-the-less, it was an absolutely serene and peaceful hike around Bierstadt Lake in the Bear Lake Section of the Park.A front continued to threaten moving through, but fortunately...
Bierstadt and Bear Lake loop with Alberta Falls
Beaver Point, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 5.9 miles
Hiking | 5.9 miles
This loop worked out nicely since the shuttle bus started running this weekend. After circling the lake, I went to Bear Lake and circled it as well, then made a trip up to Alberta Falls before coming back to catch the shuttle bus at Glacier Gorge.
A great Snowshoing trip up to Brainard Lake. In the winter, the gate is closed due to snowfall which allows for a great adventure up to the lake on foot. The scenery surrounding the lkae is outstanding.
St. Vrain Mountain (12,162'), Indian Peaks Wilderness
Allenspark, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 9.3 miles
Hiking | 9.3 miles
What St Vrain Mountain (12,162') fails to offer the hiker in technical climbing, more than rewards you in views of the Continental Divide, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, The Indian Peaks, and the plains. St Vrain is an oft overlooked experience by tourist.The St Vrain trail is situated in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and the summit is on the RMNP boundary line. The summer trailhead (TH) is located about 1-1/2 miles south of Allenspark,...
Estes Cone, From Lily Lake TH via Storm Pass
Beaver Point, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 7.5 miles
Hiking | 7.5 miles
The summit of Estes Cone (11,006') is supposed to offer some panoramic views of the only 14er in the area, Longs Peak (14,259'), as well as the east side of RMNP. Unfortunately we had a panoramic view of snow laden clouds when we summited. On the way down, the sun broke through, and blue skies were evident when we returned to the TH......good timing!The bristle cones just below the craggy Cone were...
Great views of Longs Peak (Elev 14,259'), Mt. Meeker (13,911’), Mt Lady Washington (13,281'), as well as Powell Pk (13,208’) and Estes Cone (11,006')....well worth the climb. You will catch a glimpse of Longs Pk's "Diamond", as well as Estes Park to the north, and Indian Peaks to the south.The trailhead is well marked, with adequate parking. The trail climbs 2.5 mi.s along switchbacks, through lodgepole forest, reaching a saddle between The...
Mt Audubon (13,223'), Brainard Lake Recreation Area, CO
Ward, Colorado, United States
Hiking | 7.7 miles
Hiking | 7.7 miles
Mt. Audubon's elevation ranks 458 out of 583 13ers in Colorado, not outstanding. But the views along the trail to the summit are wonderful. You'll be hiking above treeline for most of the trip, so your views along the trail will be unobstructed. Looking W'ly from Audubon's summit, , you'll see the Continental Divide and Indian Peaks' landmarks such as Paiute Peak, Mt Toll, Pawnee Peak, and Apache Peak. Looking 11 mi.s to...
