Golden, Colorado

The Caribou Ranch Open Space is about two miles north of the town of Nederland. From Nederland, at the town’s roundabout, head west on CO 72 for about two miles. Turn left onto CO 126 at the sign for Caribou Ranch Open Space. Follow the dirt road for about .8 miles until you see the large parking...

James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. It is not an actual glacier yet a permeant snow field that is popular among skiers and snowboarders year round. St. Mary's Glaicer is a very popular destination (though m...

The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a winter adventurers playground with numerous snowshoe and cross country ski options to be explored. This area is popular as it offers dramatic mountain peaks, a trail for everyone (no motorized vehicles off of pavement), and close proximity to the Denver and ...

Broome Hut is a short, but steep all year-round hike, but offers great snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well.Once you reach the hut you are rewarded with incredible views of the Continental Divide, Berthoud Pass, and the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. The Cirque (bowl) is also accessible from ab...

Berthoud Pass is 55 miles from Denver making it one of the closest places to get out and backcountry tour in the winter. At 11,370 Berthoud Pass crosses the continental divide. From the top of the pass you can do shuttle runs down the south side of the pass. Or, you can venture on the East or Wes...

The Herman Gulch Trail, located near Silver Plume, Colorado, is a popular 6.3-mile out-and-back hike that leads to a stunning alpine lake, offering hikers breathtaking views of wildflower-filled meadows and towering peaks of the Continental Divide.  Trail Overview • Elevation: The trailhe...

While most people go snowshoeing near the Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge area in RMNP, Wild Basin is a much less trafficked option. The entrance station isn't manned in the winter, so you'll get in for free, as well! You can put the Wild Basin Trailhead into your GPS, but you'll have to park at the w...

How you get to Morgan Peak and the other 13ers in the area depends on if you have a 4-wheel drive with good clearance or not. If so, drive the rough Santa Fe road from the small town of Montezuma (just outside Keystone). The road is also known as Forest Service 264 and is a left at the stop sign ...

The peacock pool is a cool little tarn below the outlet to Chasm Lake. Please note that this adventure is best done in the winter/spring when snow is present to prevent erosion in the sensitive area. That is how the description will be written, assuming winter conditions. The approach is the sa...

From Jefferson follow 35 north to 54 and drive up 54 as far as possible ending a few miles before Georgia pass.  Depending on the snowpack and drifts on the unplowed road, you could hike as few as 5 miles round trip or as many as 10. If the snow blocks you from driving past Michigan Creek Campgro...

Watch the sunrise from above treeline with great views below and to the south. This is my favorite place to view the sunrise is from just above the emerald lake overlook. The Bear Lake area is very crowded, but an early morning ascent of Flattop Mountain will provide ample opportunities for solit...

Snowshoeing to Emerald Lake was completely different from hiking the trail during summer. Instead of hiking around Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake, I was able to go straight across them (check the ice to make sure it's thick enough to support your weight). Rocky Mountain National Park's...

For the extra-adventurous (my friends call me crazy for this), I recommend experiencing Rocky Mountain National Park in the off-season, when nobody else is there. Dead winter.Of course, you'll want to be uber prepared if you choose to take on this adventure, as the mountains are very unforgiving,...

There are a couple routes to Section House on Boreas Pass, but the best adds trekking through the forest on Baker's Tank trail. Starting at 10,350' at the TH, look for a trail in the woods that starts climbing relatively quickly. Follow this for about 2.5 miles to the junction with the road and...

Your journey to the deepest powder in Breckenridge begins at the Breckconnect Gondola. If it snowed more than half a foot or it is the weekend you will want to arrive by 8:30 am to secure parking in one of the Gondola Lots.Ride the gondola up to Peak 8. On your way up you will pass over the Cucu...

I recently spent the weekend in Breckenridge, and not being from the area, there was one hike that was on my bucket list: Mohawk Lakes. It didn’t disappoint! In late September, the Breckenridge area is full of gorgeous golden aspen trees, providing spectacular long-range views. In summer, abundan...