Hiking activities in Central Mountain Region
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American Lake Trail
- Aspen, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Easily paired with a peek into the ghost town of Ashcroft and/or a meal at the epic Pine Creek Cookhouse, this trail climbs steadily from Ashcroft through aspen and spruce groves to American Lake, in the subalpine Devaney Creek Valley. Views are limited, but the trail meets several more primitive paths to a panoramic overlook. It's a 6.4-mile hike round-trip.
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Hiking to the Grottos
- Aspen, USA
- Activities › Hiking
One of the most popular summer playgrounds in Aspen, the area is accessed via a complex of short trails (most about half a mile in length) that sprout from old Weller Station on the original Independence Pass wagon road, leading to waterfalls and sculpted gorges. The shortest, wheelchair-accessible trail visits a series of thundering falls and swimming holes on the Roaring Fork River.
On the opposite bank, the Old Stage Road leads upstream to Lincoln Creek, and an offshoot heads to unique water-carved slots known locally as the Ice Caves. These are worth hunting for. Head up Independence Pass east of town for nine miles on Hwy 82 and look for a 'Trailhead' sign on the…
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Gore Creek Trail
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
From the USFS Gore Creek campground, the popular Gore Creek Trail (USFS Trail 2015) leads to Gore Lake in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness Area. This strenuous six-mile trail, best attempted between June and October, climbs about 2700ft through spruce and fir forests into the alpine tundra.
Another trail option from near the campground is Two Elk Trail (USFS Trail 2005), an 11-mile hike that climbs to Two Elk Pass, passing prime elk habitat before leaving the forest and Vail’s back bowls at Cemetery Rd in Minturn. Elk bugling during rutting season is best observed in late summer. This hike can be done in a day or as an overnight trip – consider leaving a second vehicle at the…
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Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness Area
- Aspen, USA
- Activities › Hiking
From Lone Pine Rd in Aspen, the Hunter Valley Trail (USFS Trail 1992) follows Hunter Creek northeast about 3 miles through wildflower meadows to the Sunnyside and Hunter Creek Trails, which lead into the 82,026 acre Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness Area.
Less visited than other slices of Central Rockies wilderness, you can find some stunning campsites and rugged peaks here, as well as the headwaters to both Hunter Creek and the Fryingpan River.
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Booth Falls & Booth Lake Trail
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
A two-mile hike to the 60ft Booth Falls follows USFS Trail 1885 into the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. The trailhead is off N Frontage Rd west of I-70 exit 180. Continue beyond the falls to encounter meadows filled with wildflowers and views of the Gore Range. The trail continues to Booth Lake, 6 miles from the trailhead, and climbs about 3000ft. Best between June and October.
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10th Mountain Division Hut Association
- Aspen, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This organization manages a system of 29 backcountry huts – a few with wood-burning saunas – between Vail and Aspen, and connected by 350 miles of suggested routes ideal for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in the winter and hiking in the summer. It's perfect for couples and families. Reservations are by lottery system only and cannot be made online.
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Vail Nature Center
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Register ahead for guided naturalist hikes that run on Tuesday and Thursday at the Vail Nature Center. The hikes are led at a moderate pace and open to all. For a short stroll, the four trails at the Nature Center offer excellent interpretive displays on the plants and wildlife along Gore Creek and can be done in under an hour.
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Mohawk Lakes Trailhead
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Quandary Peak Trailhead
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Mount Holy Cross Wilderness
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Consult rangers for hiking tips. There are six developed campgrounds in the region. The strenuous Notch Mountain Trail affords great views of Mt of the Holy Cross (14,009ft), or very experienced hikers can climb the mountain itself (a class 2 scramble) via Half Moon Pass Trail.
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