North Peak via Greenhorn Trail

This adventure is a unique experience, perfect for the off seasons. Park along the highway on CO-165 in Rye, Colorado, cross the street and walk into the largest one man project in the USA. You’ll enter under the grand front gate and follow the path that leads to the castle. There you’ll find multiple ways to enter the castle. There will be a large steep staircase to your left on the exterior o...

Horseshoe Lake in Lathrop State Park delivers calm-water paddling against a backdrop of the Spanish Peaks—twin volcanic "stocks" rising nearly 14,000 feet to dominate the southern Colorado skyline. The 150-acre reservoir enforces wakeless speeds, creating a serene environment for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing without jet ski chaos or powerboat wakes. Water temperature...

Few places can match the epic scale of this bizarre wilderness in southern Colorado. Great Sand Dunes National Park contains 750 foot tall sand dunes (the tallest in North America) resting at the foot of 13,000 foot peaks (the Sangre de Cristo range). However, to really experience the park in its wildest, purest form you'll have to backpack and camp in the dunefield itself.One of the coolest as...

Outside of the national park there are two different companies that can rent sand boards and sleds for your day use at around $20 per board per day. However, If it is raining a lot and the dunes are too wet, or if the dunes are frosted over both companies will not rent out their boards in order to maintain quality.  Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa 719-589-9759 the Oasis Store 719-378-2222 (Kr...

The Mosca Pass trail is an (approx) 6.5 mile out and back hike that takes you through beautiful ponderosa and aspen forests to summit 1500 above the start. The trailhead parking is the first left after the Great Sand Dunes visitor center. It is a moderate hike, but allow for several hours, as the wildflowers are fantastic and there are several scenic views. The trail follows a beautiful babblin...

NOTE: As of September 2021, Mount Lindsey has been closed to public access indefinitely. (Source)  At 14,042 Mt. Lindsey is not one of the tallest 14ers, but it is a fun objective regardless. The Lily Lake trailhead can be somewhat difficult to access without a high clearance car, but most cars can probably make it. There is quite a bit of private property along the road so just be careful if ...