Hiking activities in Colorado
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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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Barr Trail
The main trail to Pikes Peak is a popular 12.8-mile trudge from the trailhead near the Manitou Springs Depot at 6600ft. That makes for an elevation gain of 7510ft to the summit at 14,110ft. Many hikers split the trip into two days, stopping to overnight at Barr Camp at the halfway point (10,200ft).
Although you can't buy one-way tickets on the Cog, you may choose to buy a round-trip and use it to get to Barr Camp. You'll have to ask the engineer to stop for you. You'll be let out onto a spur trail 1.5 miles from Barr Camp where you can join the main trail to the summit. Then you can take the train down. That makes the trip a fun 7.5-mile day hike. Also, many hikers leave…
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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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Boulder Falls Trail
A quick and relatively easy ramble along the upper reaches of boulder creek and into its headwaters. This trail begins approximately ten miles west of downtown Boulder, bends into a cozy but dramatic canyon with soaring granite walls and ends at Boulder Falls which alternates between trickling and gushing depending upon the season. A bit more than a one-mile roundtrip.
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Royal Arch Trail
Challenging but not excruciating, this roughly two-hour, 3.6-mile, well-signed trail leads you up along the Flatirons, through a vaguely-red rock canyon, through a keyhole and up to a wonderful natural rock arch where you'll perch on boulders, gaze at the Boulder basin, and, on clear days, glimpse the Denver skyline. Grab a trail map at the park office before hiking.
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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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Square House Hiking Tour
The park's most popular ranger-led hike, this strenuous 1-mile hike takes two hours but includes exposure to cliffs, rocky slopes, climbing a 20ft ladder and two shorter ladders. One highlight is seeing one of only two original kiva roofs in the park.
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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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Wetherill Mesa Experience
Limited to 14 people, this five-hour ranger-led walking tour departs from the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk at 9:45am. Binoculars are recommended for walkers as the trail has superb views across the canyon to multiple cliff dwellings.
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Aramark Mesa Verde
The park concessionaire, Aramark Mesa Verde, offers guided tours to excavated pit homes, cliff dwellings and the Spruce Tree House daily from May to mid-October.
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Mohawk Lakes Trailhead
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Quandary Peak Trailhead
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Spring House Hiking Tour
For serious hikers only, this 8-hour, 8-mile round-trip has steep drop-offs, switchbacks and an elevation change of 1500ft. Remote sites are part of the itinerary. Wear hiking boots and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
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Oak Tree House and Fire Temple
This strenuous 1-mile hike takes two hours, features some exposure and requires a 15ft ladder climb. Meet at the Sun Temple (Mesa Top Loop Rd).
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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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Escalante Canyon Outfitters
Cofounder of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Grant Johnson and his Escalante Canyon Outfitters are the best for informative multiday hikes through the region. Don Montoya, curator at the Anasazi State Park Museum, runs the archaeo-hikes to Native American sites and rock art.
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Earth Tours
Founder, and main guide, PhD geologist Keith Watt has an enthusiasm for the area that is catching. Choose from among the numerous half- and full-day area hikes offered or take a 4WD trip into the backcountry.
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