The Blog
Trail guides, gear reviews, and everything you need for your next Colorado adventure.
The Crags Trail: Pikes Peak's Quiet West Side (and Back Route to the Summit)
The Crags Trail near Divide is Pikes Peak's quiet west side: an easy 4.5-mile hike to granite spires, or the 14-mile back route to the 14,115-ft summit.
Chicago Basin: How to Backpack Colorado's Train-Access Trip to Three 14ers
Chicago Basin is Colorado's iconic train-access backpacking trip: three 14ers, a 6-mile hike from Needleton, and bold mountain goats. Here's how to plan it.
Cathedral Lake Trail: Aspen's Steep, No-Permit Climb to a High Alpine Lake
The Cathedral Lake Trail near Aspen climbs 2,066 feet to an 11,866-foot alpine lake. Here's the route, the drive, Electric Pass, and what to pack for it.
Long Lake Trailhead: Brainard Lake's Gateway to Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass
The Long Lake Trailhead is Brainard Lake's gateway to Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass. Here's the 2026 reservation, parking, and every hike, step by step.
Snowshoeing for Beginners: How to Start in Colorado (2026)
Snowshoeing for beginners, start to finish. How to walk in snowshoes, the gear you actually need, and the easiest snowshoe trails to start on in Colorado.
Lawn Lake Trailhead: RMNP's Big Alpine Hike Without the Bear Lake Permit
The Lawn Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park climbs 6.2 miles to a high alpine lake, skips the Bear Lake permit, and holds a wild 1982 flood story.
McCullough Gulch Trailhead: Waterfalls, Alpine Lakes, and 2026 Parking
McCullough Gulch near Breckenridge climbs past a waterfall to alpine lakes under Quandary Peak. Here's the 2026 parking reservation, the shuttle, and the trail.
Longs Peak Weather: What to Expect and When to Climb
Longs Peak weather guide: afternoon storms, the be-down-by-noon rule, month-by-month conditions, and the best window to climb this 14,259-foot peak.
Handies Peak: A Complete Guide to One of Colorado's Easiest 14ers
Handies Peak is one of Colorado's easiest 14ers if you can handle the drive. 2026 guide to the American Basin route, the 4WD road, gear, and timing.
Denny Creek Trailhead: Gateway to Mount Yale, Hartenstein Lake, and Browns Pass
Fourth of July Trailhead: A Guide to Colorado's Indian Peaks Gateway
Colorado Trailhead Parking: Reservations, Fees, and How to Get a Spot in 2026
More Colorado trailheads now require a paid reservation or a shuttle to park. Here's the 2026 rundown of which trails need one, what it costs, and how early to arrive so you actually get a spot.