Blue River, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Blue River

  • Winter Park, Colorado

    Twin Cones via Second Creek Trailhead

    5.0
    4.85 mi / 1614 ft gain
    This hike begins at Second Creek Trailhead off of US Highway 40. It's pretty steep right off the bar gaining about 800ft of elevation in the first mile. This first mile takes you to Broome Hut, which has a bathroom and is a great place to stop and take a break. Keep in mind that there are no dogs...
    Read more
  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hope Pass via Willis Gulch

    5.0
    8.75 mi / 3297 ft gain
    Hope Pass is accessed from the Willis Gulch trailhead about 25 miles outside of Leadville, Colorado. To get to the trail head, follow Highway 24 East for about 16 miles until you arrive at the junction for Highway 82. Turn right and follow Highway 82 for about 8.3 miles. You will see a sign on th...
    Read more
  • Hartsel, Colorado

    Ice Fishing Antero Reservoir

    The Antero Reservoir was the first dam built on the South Platte River. The reservoir is best known for its large rainbow trout and rainbow x cutthroat hybrid trout. It's also home to brown trout, snake river cutthroat trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and splake.The earth filled Antero Dam wa...
    Read more
  • Fraser, Colorado

    Summit Byers Peak

    8.8 mi / 2774 ft gain
    The drive to the start of the trail is okay, having a high clearance vehicle would make the drive easier, but is not necessary.  Free parking is available along the side of the road.The trail starts on a closed service road at a gate and requires you to either hike or bike up the dirt road (2 mil...
    Read more
  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mt. Elbert via Black Cloud Trail

    4.5
    10.69 mi / 4967 ft gain
    Directions:  Heading south from Leadville from U.S. 24: West on CO 82 for 10.5 miles to a hidden right turn that leads to a trail head. If you make it to the Mt. Elbert Lodge, you have gone just a bit too far. The parking lot (aka: dirt access) should be relatively empty as everyone tends to hik...
    Read more
  • Basalt, Colorado

    Hike to Eagle Lake, Colorado

    5.0
    5.5 mi / 1036 ft gain
    If you find yourself back in the Lime Creek area just outside of Eagle, Colorado and south of Sylvan Lake State Park - you should make the time to get yourself up to Eagle Lake! The hike starts off of Brush Creek Road and follows a property line in the forest of Aspens and towering wildflowers fo...
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Chief Mountain Trail

    4.5
    2.88 mi / 920.17 ft gain
    Sitting at 11,709’, Chief Mountain is not one of Colorado’s highest peaks, but the views from this mountain are spectacular nonetheless and rival the views of any 14er I’ve climbed. This mountain sits along Squaw Pass Road so you get the luxury of a high trailhead for this peak. To get there, fo...
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore Fall River Reservoir

    4.0
    1 mi / 144 ft gain
    This spot may be a little more difficult to reach than others, but the payoff is worth it. You'll start by taking a dirt road that splits off from Fall River Road. It is pretty easy going for the first mile or so, but then you'll want to make sure you have a little higher clearance 4x4 vehicle to...
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Chinns Lake

    4.0
    2.7 mi / 741 ft gain
    Located in the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs, Chinns Lake is a high-elevation alpine destination known for its peaceful mountain setting, dispersed camping, fishing, and stunning lake views. Accessible via a rugged 4WD road, this hidden gem offers a true Colorado backcountry experien...
    Read more
  • Basalt, Colorado

    Mystic Island Lake and Lake Charles via Ironedge Trail

    5.0
    12.36 mi / 2861 ft gain
    Mystic Island Lake and Lake Charles via Ironedge Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Eagle, Colorado.
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

    4.0
    3.92 mi / 791 ft gain
    Come check out the Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout (formerly known as Squaw Mountain), a historic spot located in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area of Colorado, and one of the highest lookout towers in the country, at an elevation of 11,486 ft. Just a short drive from the Front Range corridor, y...
    Read more
  • Meredith, Colorado

    Hike to Chapman Lake

    1.6 mi
    From downtown Basalt, drive up the Fryingpan River Road 28 miles and turn right on CR #504, also known as Elliot Way, just before Norrie Colony. Drive across the river and up the switchbacks for approximately 3 miles. Take the left fork, continue 1 mile and take the right fork approximately 1/2 m...
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Hike to Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 948 ft gain
    When you start the hike to Loch Lomond, you'll have a few options for parking. The further up the road you go the trickier it's going to be to get back out. I parked at the bottom of the road and hiked my way up. The first mile or two is mostly elevation gain and to be quite honest I thought I wa...
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore 'The Hidden Gems' of Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 950 ft gain
    Getting There From Denver, go W on I-70 and take exit 238 for Fall River Rd. Continue on this road before taking a left on Alice Rd. Continue on Alice Rd. until you see the right hand turn for Steuart Rd. This is where you park. Do not attempt this road in a AWD or 2WD you definitely need a good ...
    Read more
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Camp and Fish at Loch Lomond

    5.0
    The trail to Loch Lomond is very rocky. I suggest a high clearance 4x4 vehicle (I did see a small SUV and a Subaru..Not sure how they did it!!!). There are a few campsites at the lake and several along the way. I set up camp by the lake but had to move because the wind was so intense. I recommend...
    Read more
  • Basalt, Colorado

    Peter Estin Hut

    5.0
    8.02 mi / 2238 ft gain
    If you have stayed in other 10th Mountain Division Huts, Peter Estin is a quite similar and definitely one of my favorites. I made the trip in the winter because of the awesome skiing/snowboarding just right out side the front door. The trailhead begins at Yeoman Park and there are two routes th...
    Read more