Dillon, Colorado

Starting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) tur...

Parking is available on either Canyon or Sunshine Roads. During the weekends it tends to get crowded around sunset so plan accordingly. The entire trail is a loop and is a little over 1 mile in length so it doesn't take too long. The main feature is the massive red sand stone rocks that jut out o...

Start out on McClintock Trail for 0.7 miles (this particular stretch can get muddy), before switching over to Enchanted Mesa Trail. To add a scenic 0.4 miles to your hike, take the Quarry Loop by turning right at the stone cabin, then following the steps up to the quarry, where you can overlook t...

From the parking lot, you can take the Meadowlark trail to the west or the Plymouth Creek Trail to the southeast. It does not matter which trail you take because it ends up becoming loop. For a more gradual slope up the hill, take the Meadowlark trail. After a little more than a mile, it intersec...

This is a mix of trails that will bring you on an easy loop to the peak of Mt Sanitas, but will keep you away from the usual crowds of the more well-known paths up. The hike is a clear path that brings you 5+ miles from around 5,500 ft in elevation to 6,800.  You'll start at the Centennial Trail...

First off, these are two different hikes but both stem from the same parking lot and Settlers Park is a mere 5 minutes away from where you park so why not kill two birds with one stone? One of the more popular hikes in Boulder, Mount Sanitas is a 3 mile hike that quickly scales nearly 1,350 feet...

Angel's Way is an amazing 8 pitch rock climb scramble (5.2) that is tucked away in Skunk Canyon, hidden from the crowds of Chautauqua. The best part of this scramble is you only need your climbing shoes and chalk-bag. It is similar to the 'Free Way' on the Second Flatiron. I would encourage ev...

The Green Mountain Trail is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) which is a foot path from Mexico to Canada. Big Meadows is a great place to view elk, moose, and deer. Other animals you can see in the area are abert squirrels, river otters, weasels, and black bear.Big Meadow...

This 4 mile loop ascends only a slight amount in elevation, making for a pleasant loop in which opportunities for appreciation of the nature around you and broad vista photography are in plentiful supply. A great hike for those who may still be building their fitness, as so many trails in Boulder...

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...

This is a great hike that is very close to Buena Vista, CO. This trail is on the east side of town and is accessible in the spring. The hardest part of the hike is locating the trail-head. It is located in the northern part of Four Mile Canyon and is in San Isabel National forest. Starting in Bue...

This amazing campsite has river access (freezing cold!), beautiful scenic views of red rocks and rock faces in varying shades of brown and tan. It's the only campsite at this location so feel lucky that this whole area is just yours. Beautiful views of the moon and stars and get ready for the rus...

Just nine miles east of Aspen on Highway 82, Independence Pass, are grottos. A grotto is a geological term for a cave or cavern. The Grottos near Aspen were formed by rushing water of the Roaring Fork River. There is only an elevation gain of 300 feet on the three-quarters of a mile loop making...