Tagged: colorado hiking

Sandbeach Lake Trail: A Quiet Wild Basin Hike Under Mount Meeker (2026)

The Sandbeach Lake Trail climbs through the quiet Wild Basin corner of Rocky Mountain National Park to a rare sandy alpine shoreline under Mount Meeker. Distance, parking, permits, and camping.

St. Vrain Mountain Trail: A Quiet 12er Hike Above Allenspark (2026)

St. Vrain Mountain Trail near Allenspark: about 9 miles round trip to a 12,162-foot summit with big views of Longs Peak, Wild Basin, and the Indian Peaks.

Piney Lake, Vail: The Drive, the Ranch, and the Upper Piney Falls Trail (2026)

Piney Lake near Vail, Colorado: the Red Sandstone Road drive, canoe rentals at the ranch, and the easy 6-mile hike to Upper Piney Falls under the Gore Range.

Gear for Hiking in the Rain: What to Pack for Colorado Storms

The gear for hiking in the rain that keeps you dry in Colorado's monsoon storms: a 9-item kit from jacket to pack liner, plus what to skip.

Capitol Peak: A Climber's Guide to Colorado's Hardest 14er

Capitol Peak is Colorado's deadliest 14er. Here's the Knife Edge, the Capitol Creek trailhead, the permit, and whether you should be up there at all.

Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Which One to Pick

Steamboat Springs has two main hot springs: family-friendly Old Town downtown and rustic Strawberry Park up a dirt road. Here's how to pick, plus a free soak.

James Peak Hike: Route, Trailhead, and What to Expect (2026)

The James Peak hike climbs from the St. Mary's Glacier trailhead to a 13,294-foot summit near Denver. Route, parking, difficulty, and the best months to go.

Conundrum Hot Springs: How to Backpack to Colorado's Highest Soak

Conundrum Hot Springs sits at 11,200 feet above Aspen, 8.5 miles up the trail. Here's the permit system, the hike, the 20 campsites, and what to pack.

Mount Elbert Weather: What to Expect Month by Month

Mount Elbert weather guide: the 14,440-ft summit runs 20-25°F colder than Leadville, snow falls any month, and September is the clearest time to climb.

South Mineral Campground: The Ice Lake Basin Basecamp Near Silverton

South Mineral Campground sits at 9,800 feet near Silverton, right at the Ice Lake Basin trailhead. Here's the drive, the 26 sites, fees, and camping tips.

Loch Lomond Trail, Colorado: Hike, Drive, and Parking Guide (2026)

Loch Lomond trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado: the real hiking distance, whether you need 4WD, seasonal gate dates, parking in Alice, and the James Peak route.

Guanella Pass, Colorado: Scenic Byway, Best Hikes, and Where to See Moose (2026)

Guanella Pass is a 22-mile paved byway near Georgetown with Mount Bierstadt, alpine lakes, fall aspens, and some of Colorado's best roadside moose viewing.

Maroon Bells: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Most Photographed Peaks

How to visit the Maroon Bells near Aspen: reservations, the Crater Lake hike, the Four Pass Loop, fall color timing, and winter access, all in one guide.

Rainbow Gulch Trail: The Easy Walk to Rampart Reservoir (2026)

The Rainbow Gulch Trail is the shortest, gentlest way to reach Rampart Reservoir near Colorado Springs. Directions, distance, fishing, biking, and season tips.

Quandary Peak Weather: What to Expect Month by Month

Quandary Peak weather guide for 2026. The summit runs 20-30°F colder than Breckenridge, snow can fall in any month, and here's the best time to climb.

Castle Peak: A Complete Guide to Hiking Colorado's Highest Elk Mountain 14er

Castle Peak (14,265 ft) is the highest summit in the Elk Mountains near Aspen. 2026 guide to the Northeast Ridge, the Montezuma Basin road, gear, and timing.

Boreas Pass, Colorado: Railroad-Grade Hikes, the Scenic Drive, and Fall Aspens Near Breckenridge

Boreas Pass sits at 11,481 feet on the Continental Divide near Breckenridge. Here's the drive, the Bakers Tank hike, fall aspen timing, and what to pack.

North Table Mountain, Golden: Trails, the West Trailhead, and Parking

North Table Mountain in Golden packs 15+ miles of trail onto a flat-topped mesa. Here's the West Trailhead, parking, the best loops, and how to beat the heat.

How to Pack a Backpacking Backpack for a Colorado Trip

How to pack a backpacking backpack the right way: the 3-zone method, where the bear canister goes, and how to balance 35 pounds for Colorado's high passes.

Best Hiking Hats for Women in 2026: Sun Protection for Colorado Trails

The best hiking hats for women, picked for Colorado's high-altitude sun. Wide-brim, packable, bucket, and running-cap options with UPF 50+ ratings.

Summit Lake, Colorado: The Highest Lake You Can Drive To

Summit Lake sits at 12,836 feet on the Mount Blue Sky road, the highest lake you can drive to in Colorado. Trails, 2026 reopening, permits, and what to pack.

Crestone, Colorado: A Hiker's Guide to the State's Wildest Mountain Town (2026)

Crestone, Colorado sits at the foot of the Sangre de Cristos, part spiritual retreat town, part basecamp for the state's hardest 14ers. Where to hike, stay, and go.

Huron Peak: A Complete Guide to Hiking Colorado's Sawatch 14er

Huron Peak (14,003 ft) hides the best summit view in the Sawatch. Your 2026 guide to the Class 2 Winfield route, the 4WD road, gear, and when to climb it.

The Continental Divide in Colorado: Where It Is and How to Reach It

The Continental Divide runs about 750 miles through Colorado. Here's where it crosses the state, the passes you can drive, and the best hikes to reach it.

Radium Hot Springs, Colorado: A Wild Riverside Soak Near Kremmling

Radium Hot Springs is a free, wild soak on the Colorado River near Kremmling. Here's the drive, the scramble down, water temps, camping, and safety.

Cottonwood Creek Trailhead: Gateway to Mount Harvard, Columbia, and Two Alpine Lakes

The North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead near Buena Vista opens Mount Harvard, Mount Columbia, Bear Lake, and Kroenke Lake. Here's the road, routes, and timing.

Mount Evans (Mount Blue Sky): Complete Guide to Colorado's Drive-Up 14er

Mount Evans (now Mount Blue Sky) is Colorado's easiest 14,265-foot summit: drive the highest paved road in North America or hike it. Full 2026 guide.

Mount Sneffels: A Complete Guide to Climbing Colorado's Iconic San Juan 14er

Mount Sneffels (14,158 ft) is a Class 3 San Juan classic above Ouray. 2026 guide to the Yankee Boy Basin route, the V-notch scramble, gear, and timing.

Silver Dollar Lake Trail, Colorado: A Short Hike to a Big Alpine Payoff (2026)

Silver Dollar Lake near Georgetown packs a stunning alpine lake into a short, steep hike off Guanella Pass. Trailhead road, parking, distance, and when to go.

Mount Bierstadt Weather: When to Climb and What to Expect

Mount Bierstadt weather guide: afternoon storms, the noon lightning rule, month-by-month conditions, and the best time to climb Colorado's easiest 14er.

San Juan Mountains, Colorado: A Hiker's Guide to the State's Wildest Range (2026)

Colorado's San Juan Mountains hold 14 summits over 14,000 feet and the state's biggest wilderness. Where to hike, which town to base in, and when to go.

Mount Sopris, Colorado: Hiking the Twin Summits Above Carbondale (2026)

Mount Sopris rises 6,000 feet over Carbondale to twin 12,965-foot summits. Trail stats, the Thomas Lakes route, permits, and why it hikes harder than a 14er.

Mitchell Lake Trail, Colorado: Guide to Blue Lake and the Indian Peaks (2026)

The Mitchell Lake Trail near Ward runs through Indian Peaks Wilderness to Blue Lake under Mount Toll. Distances, parking reservations, moose, and season tips.

Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway: A Complete Visitor Guide

Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway is a clothing-optional, lithium mineral springs with ten soaking pools. Temperatures, 2026 prices, hours, and soaking etiquette.

Seven Bridges Trail, Colorado Springs: A Complete Hiking Guide

Hike the Seven Bridges Trail in North Cheyenne Cañon: about 4 miles round trip, seven creek crossings, parking tips, difficulty, and what to pack.

Lake Ann Trailhead: A Ghost-Town Path to a High Colorado Lake

Lake Ann Trailhead starts at the Winfield ghost town and climbs to an 11,805-foot alpine lake under the Three Apostles. Here's the road, route, and 14er option.

Kite Lake Trailhead: Four 14ers From One Colorado Parking Lot

Kite Lake Trailhead near Alma sits at 12,000 feet and starts the DeCaLiBron loop, four 14ers in one day. Here's the road, fees, waiver, and full route.

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

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.

Mount Yale: A Complete Guide to Climbing Colorado's Collegiate Peak

Strawberry Hot Springs, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide

What to Wear Hiking: A Head-to-Toe Outfit Guide for Every Season

Chautauqua Park, Boulder: Trails, Parking, and the Flatirons Guide

Black Canyon of the Gunnison: The Complete Colorado Visitor Guide

Best Women's Hiking Backpacks for Colorado Trails (2026)

The best women's hiking backpacks for Colorado, from 24L daypacks to 36L overnight packs. Picks built for shorter torsos, big climbs, and afternoon storms.

Mount Antero: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Gem 14er

Mount Sherman Hike: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Easiest 14er

Longs Peak Hike: A Complete Guide to the Keyhole Route

Women's Hiking Apparel: What to Wear on Colorado Trails by Season

Best Hikes in Indian Peaks Wilderness: 8 Trails for 2026

Desert Reef Hot Spring: The Complete Visitor Guide

Best Colorado Trail Maps and Hiking Apps for 2026

Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Complete Visitor Guide (Concerts, Hiking, Parking 2026)

Colorado Wildlife on the Trail: Animals to Watch For and How to Stay Safe

How to Keep Your Bearings While Hiking in Unfamiliar Terrain

How to find your way in unfamiliar terrain. Map reading, compass use, GPS tools, and what to do when you're off route.

Best Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads for Colorado Backpacking (2026)

Blue Lakes Trail, Colorado: Complete Guide to All Three Lakes (2026)

Best Colorado Vacation Spots: 7 Destinations Worth the Trip (2026)

Pikes Peak Colorado Weather: What to Expect Month by Month

St. Mary's Glacier Hike: Complete Guide (Parking, Conditions, 2026)

The 8 Best Colorado Hiking Trails: 2026 Definitive List

Ouray Hot Springs Pool: The Complete Visitor Guide

Garden of the Gods, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool: The Complete Visitor Guide

Great Sand Dunes National Park: The Complete Visitor Guide

Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide

Seven Falls Colorado Springs: The Complete Visitor Guide

12 Best Hikes Near Estes Park, Colorado (2026 Trail Guide)

Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Here are the 12 best hikes near Estes Park for every skill level, with trail stats, timed-entry permit tips, and how to beat the crowds.

Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle: A Complete Guide to the Classic Sangre de Cristo Traverse

Grays Peak and Torreys Peak: A Complete Guide to the Double 14er Hike

Mount Bierstadt: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Most Accessible 14er

Mount Elbert: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Highest Peak

Mount Harvard: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Third-Highest Peak

Mount Massive: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Second-Highest Peak

Mount of the Holy Cross: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Cross-Shaped 14er

Pikes Peak by Barr Trail: A Complete Guide to the 26-Mile 14er

Quandary Peak: A Complete Guide to Breckenridge's Popular 14er

3 Days in Aspen: The Hiking Itinerary (2026)

Aspen vs Vail for Hiking: Which Colorado Mountain Town Wins?

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads for Colorado in 2026

Best Backpacking Tents for Colorado in 2026

Best Bear Canisters for Colorado Backpacking in 2026

Best Dehydrated Backpacking Meals for Colorado in 2026

Best Hiking Gloves for Colorado in 2026

Best Hiking Socks for Colorado in 2026

Best Merino Wool Base Layers for Colorado in 2026

Best Microspikes for Hiking in Colorado (2026)

Best Snowshoes for Colorado in 2026

Colorado Hiking Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary (2026)

Rocky Mountain National Park vs Indian Peaks Wilderness for Hiking

A Weekend in Telluride: The Hiking Itinerary (2026)

Winter Hiking in Colorado: A Beginner's Guide

Altitude Sickness in Colorado: How to Prevent It & What Works

7 Best Backpacking Backpacks for Colorado in 2026

7 Best Down Jackets for Colorado in 2026

7 Best GPS Watches for Hiking Colorado in 2026

7 Best Rain Jackets for Colorado Hiking in 2026

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Fenix 7: Which GPS Watch for Hiking?

Osprey Atmos AG 65 vs Gregory Baltoro 65: Honest Comparison

Patagonia Down Sweater vs Arc'teryx Cerium LT: Which Puffy Wins?

Salomon X Ultra 4 vs Merrell Moab 3: Which Hiking Boot Wins for Colorado?

Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree: The Real Comparison

7 Best Headlamps for Hiking in Colorado (2026): Tested for Alpine Starts

The best headlamps for hiking Colorado's trails. From 14er alpine starts to winter twilight hikes, these rechargeable headlamps deliver reliable light when you need it most.

Best Water Filters for Hiking in Colorado (2026 Guide)

Find the right backcountry water filter for Colorado trails. We compare squeeze filters, gravity systems, and UV purifiers for mountain hiking.