Colorado

COLORADO'S YOUNGEST VOLCANO The Dotsero crater is Colorado's youngest volcano, erupting a mere 4,200 years ago. While the crater may not be as dramatic as Mt. St Helens, Mt. Baker, or other volcanos in the U.S., it's quite an unusual terrain feature to come across in Colorado, and offers some gre...

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...

Spending much of the trek above tree line, Hurricane Pass is situated at 12,730 feet above sea level and offers up views of Poughkeepsie Gulch (a more extreme off-road trail) and sapphire blue mountain lakes, such as Lake Como. One of the most beautiful roads in the lower 48 states, Hurricane Pas...

The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also ...

Rampart Reservoir is located off of Rampart Range Road and is boat accessible from Spring until Fall. It has a boat ramp for motorized as well as human powered boats. There are vault toilets nearby. It is a nice place to spend the day paddling at close to 9,000 ft elevation. Just be prepared for ...

Located within the picturesque town of Ouray, Colorado, Cascade Falls is what most city parks strive to be. This park and amazing waterfall are located on the edge of town along the longer 5+ mile Perimeter Trail and provides a place for picnics, relaxing, and further days hikes through connector...

The Area: The maze of large round boulders in Penitente Canyon was once a refuge for a radical Christian sect. Now it is home to some radical mountain biking trails! Think Moab features, Fruita flow, and no crowds. Read below to find out the best trails to ride in this area, and combine riding wi...

While the Animas River runs for miles in the San Juan National Forest, a beautiful (and accessible) stretch runs right through Silverton, CO. Here, you can fish, hike, or chill. The river is fast with very few pockets for the trout to hide; however, if you search around enough, you'll find a fish...

Placer Gulches 4WD trail is a gorgeous route offering scenic vistas of the San Juan Mountains and traverses an area rich with mining history. This area provides gorgeous wild flowers in the peak season of late July/ early August. Some of the best preserved mine structures in Colorado can be found...

While Florrisant is known mostly for its history and collection of fossils, it is also one of the darkest places in the Colorado Springs area.  While the park closes daily at dusk, it has Night Sky Programs monthly which allows visitors to view the stars with the help of the Colorado Springs Astr...

The ghost town of Animas Forks, CO is located in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 11,200 feet. There are several original buildings remaining. The best way to explore the region is by Jeep or other high-clearance 4×4. The cabins began being built by prospectors in 1873. Three rivers meet...

Corona Lake is an easy, short hike if you're pressed for time. It's scenic, secluded, and will put you in a great spot to hike to Devils Thumb the next day. There are two ways to reach Devils Thumb. This is considered the "easier" route because of the "lack of elevation gain." The sun and wind re...

Fall time in Colorado is incredibly scenic, and if you drive up to Crested Butte, you may find herds of sheep being led down the mountains. Drive along Kebbler Pass in September and October, and look for these huge herds of sheep. Though it can be difficult to track them down, they make for amazi...

The perspective here is vastly different from other areas in Rocky Mountain National Park as Moraine Park is essentially a large, very flat valley surrounded by tall mountains. You'll want to come during the elks' rutting season, which is between mid-September and mid-October. Park at the lot on ...

This waterfall was designated a historic site in 2016 due to its rich history dating back to the Native Americans and more recently the locals of Manitou Springs.  The bridge itself that crosses over the falls was created in the early 20th century and was an architectural marvel during the time. ...

The hike can be started from where the Intemann trail meets Ruxton Ave close to Iron Spring. For parking, you can park at one of the few pay-for parking along the street or park in town and take the bus up to the incline. The hike starts up what seems to be a driveway until you reach a small gate...