Central City, Colorado

The hike is about seven miles, give or take, however it feels longer. The elevation gain is little over 1000 feet. The drive here is about 45 minutes from both Granby and Winter Park, and is definitely worth it.  You follow a trail dusted with wildflowers for the majority of the hike, and occasio...

Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...

Day 1: Park at the Payne Creek/Brookside Trailhead (8,040 ft.) right outside Bailey. You'll go on the trail for about a mile before the trail parts to Craig Meadows or Craig Park. If you start this in the nighttime, it's best to camp before you part ways on the trail as it's a little more spaciou...

Pear lake is a beautiful alpine lake in the southern Wild Basin region of Rocky Mountain National Park. Once used as a reservoir, Pear Lake has been restored to its natural state and lies in scenic basin below some of the most isolated mountains in the park. The trail to Pear Lake passes through ...

Starting at the Wild Basin trailhead on the south side of Rocky Mountain National Park, hike through a wet forest towards upper and lower Copeland Falls, located 0.45 miles from the trailhead. From here, continue on the main trail along the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River to Calypso Cascades,...

Starting at the often-busy Wild Basin TH, the trail passes through dense forests as it follows the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River through the southernmost section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail passes alongside the small Copeland Falls before continuing west towards Calypso Casca...

Sandbeach Lake is best known for (as you can probably guess) its wide sandy shore. At nearly 50 feet deep, it is one of Rocky Mountain National Parks deepest lakes. If you are looking to fish at the lake, make sure to bring barbless flies and lures. There are six official campsites (1.8 miles Hol...

Looking to catch some fresh trout? This might be the place to get it! If it's your first time fishing Lake Granby, here's some pointers:Those of you coming from Denver, take US 40W past Winter Park, Fraser and Tabernash until you hit Granby. After you pass through the town of Granby, turn right o...

Today, Lake Dillon is one of the biggest attractions in the Dillon Valley, attracting boaters, anglers, and campers. However, the large reservoir we know today was not the first one in the area.  The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which...

This summer backpacking trip provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and endless moments to take in awe-inspiring scenery. On our visit, after setting up camp at the Lake Verna backcountry site, I quickly made my way to the next lake (Spirit Lake) to photograph the sunset. The symmetry a...

One can reach spirit lake as a day hike, however it is most often visited as part of backpacking trip. Either way the route is the same and it starts at the East Inlet trail. To park you are supposed to pay or show your park/national lands pass. From the East Inlet trailhead you will soon pass Ad...

Want to get away it from it all and enjoy some high alpine lakes? The East Inlet Trail is just outside Grand Lake, on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park, 2.35 miles east of Highway 34 on West Portal Road. From the trailhead, one can access 8 different campsites. The campsites are as ...

Lily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...

Starting from the Rock Creek Trailhead parking lot, it is an up and down trek to Upper Slate Lake. The trail map states 10 miles each way, but accounting for switchbacks it ends up being closer to 14 long, hard miles.You will be among aspens and pines for the first half as you have a few moderate...

The Black lake hike begins at the very popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake road in Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer and weekends, the park shuttle may be the best parking option as the lot is often full by 7am and can be difficult to find a spot throughout the day. Fr...

Start hiking at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead down the bear lake road in rocky mountain national park. The trailhead is very popular so it can be difficult to find a parking place at times. From Glacier Gorge, follow the obvious trail and signs towards mills lake. In the summer the trail will go p...