A friend of mine had told me about this place and said we should give it a visit when in Colorado…read more We tried to do that the last time we were there, but it had already closed for the season. This trip, we were a week or so earlier, so we decided to try again. Fortunately, most of the area was still open. Only the very top was closed. Timed entry passes are required here, just like in many of the National Parks. I'm glad one of our group thought to get it. After a very nice drive up from Idaho Springs, we showed our permit and headed up. Part of the fun of this trip is that it's the highest paved road in North America (14,264 ft). We made it all the way up to one of the alpine lakes, and it was cold. I'm glad we were prepared for the cold and wind. We didn't see any wildlife at the lake, but we did see some on the way up. The area is full of deer, big horn sheep, and mountain goats, and we got to see 2 of the 3. Will I return? Definitely. However, if you want to see it all, you better go in the summer.

Beautiful. Loved this hike…read more Come early. parking lot may fill up. We arrive at 6 am on monday 6/27/2021. summit lake lot was around half full. There are bathrooms available at the lot for use. Bring $5 cash to pay to park when you arrive. there is an envelope to fill out over near the bathroom for parking. Take the trail that doesn't go down close to the lake and then you will hang a left. There is some signage before you really start to incline. the elevation gain from the parking lot to mount spaulding was fairly intense. There are a lot of rocks. Would make sure you have good boots for this hike. Once you get up to mount spaulding you will start to DESCEND. the trail up to mount spaulding is relatively well laid out. however after you get down from mount spaulding. Well there is a rock area that is not marked at all. Take a peek at 14ers.com so you can see some pics of where you should go. once you get over the hump and down. Stay around 25 feet down below the ridge and look for the CAIRNS. Rock piles. These will help guide you to where you should be going. Thankfully all trails did pull up for me when we were in the spot that is absolutely not marked. just be prepared for that stretch. From spaulding on up to the summit was a lot of climbing around on rocks. It was fun but be prepared for that. There were not many folks on the actual trail. but once you hit the summit parking lot at the top there will be a fair amount of people up at the summit as a lot of people drive up there. They do have bathrooms at the top, that is actually kind of a nice treat. I really enjoyed this 14er. I would definitely be up for doing this one again.

We loved this hike, quick with lots of views. Stairs towards the top but overall quick and fun.read more

Great, relatively moderate way to access Boulder's high summits! There are several ways up Green…read moreMountain. Some start low and wind long around for a lengthy walk. This trailhead provides probably the easiest ascent of the peak. You can park along the road between the signs, or even start lower near Lost Gulch on the Greenman trail. This is not too much elevation gain, and around 1.5 miles one way. The terrain for half is rolling hills and pretty smooth, while the second part begins elevation gain in earnest up rock stairs. The trail breaks pretty fast and you can get excellent views. You can also connect to Bear Peak and other trails east. Happy trails!

This is a great trail in summer & winter. Minimum is 7 miles with 1800 ft elevation, slightly…read morelonger to explore around any of the lakes more than the shortest trail provides. It's easy to reach in all seasons: due to the train tunnel, the dirt road to the trailhead is kept well maintained and plowed. Definitely way way more crowded on summer weekends than in winter. Several little waterfalls and tons on wildflowers even in late August made it a rewarding trail along the way, not only payoffs at the lakes. The trail from the lower two lakes to the upper lake is much steeper, but worth the added effort. Just note that when you first reach what you think is the upper lake, it's actually the drainage (albeit also lovely, see my attached photo); you need to go just a bit further over the boulders & through some bushes to reach the final upper cirque.

James Peak Wilderness area is one of my favs close to Denver. That and Indian peaks wilderness…read more Crater lakes is a moderate hike to 5 fantastic lakes that you can hike, camp, backpack, fish at. Last time I was there I saw two amazing Moose...just gorgeous. Area gets insane on the weekends with tons of peoples and dogs. Last three times I have been there I have been in thunder and hails storms after 1 pm. So if you are planning to hike getting off the mountain before might be a good idea. You can also take the more strenuous Heart Lake trail which is also fantastic and if you really want to kick your ass go up to Rogers pass for beautiful vistas. Great parking.

Having spent ample time hiking in the area, I finally decided to check out Forest Lakes. Whoa! I…read morecan't believe I slept on these beautiful mountain lakes! GETTING THERE: There appears to be a couple different approaches for this lake complex depending on the, "choose your own hiking adventure" you're seeking. If you have access to a high clearance vehicle, and off-roading is more your wheelhouse (see what I did there), you can take Forest Road 149 (Rollins-Pass Road) to the trailhead and have a very short walk to the larger of the lakes. However, if like me, you are seeking to push yourself a bit more, you'll start at the East Portal Trailhead and take in all the glorious scenery on foot. EXERTION: Coming in at 8.2 miles and 1,800+ feet of elevation gain, this trail makes for a moderate to hard hike. It's shaded almost the entire time, follows Arapahoe Creek a good portion of the trail, and the elevation is spread out fairly well. EXPERIENCE: There are a few lakes that make up this complex, but two really notable ones. The larger of the two, Upper Forest Lake, has a ton of trout. It was relaxing to kick back and watch them swim and jump for the bugs near the surface of the water. I chose to hike this trail a bit later in wildflower season, but there were still so many gorgeous blossoms on display! All in all, Forest Lakes impressed me! I'll definitely be adding this moderate adventure to my hiking short-list for future adventures.

The East Inlet Trail to Adams Falls is nice easy hike. You get beautiful views of Grand Lake as you…read morehike it. East Inlet Trail is considered part of Rocky Mountain National Park even though the Grand Lake area is outside of the park. There is a park ranger that stands at the beginning of the trail and checks for your parks pass and timed entry reservation. A timed entry is required during summer peak seasons. East Inlet Trail provides access to a series of lakes to the east of Grand Lake that are anywhere from five to ten miles away. Lone Pine Lake, Lake Verna and Spirit Lake are some of these lakes. The hike to Adams Falls is 0.6 miles round trip. The short hike takes you to an overlook at the top of the falls. This impressive waterfall drops roughly 55 feet through a narrow rock gorge. Adams Falls is worth checking out if you are in the Grand Lake area.

About a 900ft vertical gain on the way up to this beautiful alpine lake, but it's not a super long…read morehike. We stopped a lot, and got back within 3 hours. Most people were faster than we were! It's busy on weekends, but you will still have space to yourself. At the lake everyone has to take turns going out on the dock. You can bring a small picnic and hang out there, but there is no fishing, no boating, and the plants around the lake are fragile, so you have to use the walkway. Just before you get to the lake, there's a huge meadow that is probably a resting place for Elk in the fall. Going back is much easier, most of your vertical gain is done! Enter the area by the Arapaho Bay entrance to Lake Granby. Pass over the dam. You have to park on the side of the road. There is no trail sign. Recommend GPS. Beautiful views of Lake Granby as well.

Sun Valley Trail has been one of our favorite places for years. It's a super family-friendly trail…read morethat's easy enough for just about everyone to enjoy, whether you're out for a casual walk or introducing kids to hiking. Parking is easy, and the trail makes a great little loop without being too long or difficult. One thing to note is that dogs aren't allowed on the trail itself, but they can be leashed along the small river that runs alongside it, which is a nice option if you're bringing your pup. If you're looking for a scenic, relaxing walk with easy access and a great atmosphere, Sun Valley Trail is definitely worth a visit. We'll keep coming back!

The Lamartine Mine Jeep Road takes you deep into the Pike National Forest near the Mount Evans…read moreWilderness. It is a pretty quick drive up here from Denver. Map to the Phoenix Gold Mine (834 County Rd. 136, Idaho Springs) and continue past it for a couple miles. The road gets progressively rougher as you go. You will pass some old, crumbling mine buildings on your right and a large tailing pile on your left. Just after that, turn right and head up and into the wilderness. This is absolutely a jeep road, no pretenders please. You do not want to get towed out of here or leave parts of your ride somewhere in the mountains. The best time to head out here is summer. Seriously. I have been out here in the height of summer to camp and seldom see more than 3-4 people. Don't bother coming up here after hunting season starts, unless that's why you are here. You will run across all sorts of armed strangers... You are in the shadows of Mount Evans and well into the Rocky Mountain wilderness up here and it is awesome. Make sure you are prepared and someone knows where you're headed and when you'll be back. My first time up here our camp was passed by an old Bronco with a lift kit and all the fancy gear...limping along with busted up undercarriage and a hole somewhere leaking oil...He didn't really appreciate that I was out here in my old beater of a Subaru wagon, but I'm a special driver-don't try it. I showed my wife pictures when I got back and she blurted out a stunned, "That's not a road! You had the Subaru there?"