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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Top Spots in and near Idaho Springs

    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Watch the Sunset at Forest Canyon Overlook

      5.0
      0.2 mi / 32 ft gain
      Trail Ridge Road is an incredible highway that crosses the mountains between Grand Lake and Estes Park, one of the most famous parts of Rocky Mountain National Park. It features incredible views of the Rockies and the Front Range, as well as the unforgettable experience of being immersed in the t...
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    • Vail, Colorado

      Sunset Hike on the West Vail Trail

      3.0
      2 mi / 300 ft gain
      Starting in Lionshead, Vail, CO take the Gondola 19 up to the top of the mountain and head west straight out past Chair 26 and towards the Vail Mountain Wedding deck. Past the deck there will be a trail that you can follow out onto the edge of the mountain called the W Vail Trail. This trail will...
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    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Chasm Falls

      3.0
      2.57 mi / 132 ft gain
      Parking in Rocky Mountain National Park is tricky for Chasm Falls. Depending on where you are able to park, the hike will be a 0.1 mile, 2.8 mile, or 4.8 mile round-trip hike. It’s also important to know that Old Fall River Road is closed during the winter months from Nov 30th until the end of Ma...
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    • Vail, Colorado

      Hike the Upper Piney River Trail

      4.0
      5.6 mi / 350 ft gain
      Beginning at an elevation of 9,397 feet, this hike provides an easy 2.8 mile (one way) trip through the gorgeous meadows against the distant aspens and alpines. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant, which make this trip a fantastic education and play experience for kids.Coordinates for the trail...
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    • Vail, Colorado

      Backpack to Bubble Lake

      3.0
      13 mi / 3600 ft gain
      The Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness.  What this trip may lack in overall miles, it more than makes up for in elevation gain, scrambling, boulder hopping, and overall hard miles on the trail.  Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has...
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    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Backpack the Gorge Lakes

      11.5 mi / 3200 ft gain
      Start at the Rock Cut Parking Area. Head east on Trail Ridge Road 0.25 miles to a more gradual and bald western slope leading down into Forest Canyon. This bald is located between two creeks which merge before joining the Big Thompson River (a small creek in mid September). Use the creeks to navi...
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    • Grand Lake, Colorado

      Car Camp at Timber Creek Campground

      3.0
      This campground just 10 miles north of Grand Lake is a prime example of the amazing campgrounds you can find in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located along the Colorado River, Timber Creek has 98 campsites that are all first-come-first-serve. If you're on top of it and show up at a decent time, y...
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    • Franktown, Colorado

      Hike the Creek Bottom Trail

      5.0
      4.1 mi
      The West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking!  Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...
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    • Franktown, Colorado

      Hike the Rim Rock Trail

      4.98 mi
      The West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking!  Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...
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    • Franktown, Colorado

      Hike the Rim Rock / Creek Bottom Trail Loop

      5.0
      4.54 mi
      The West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking!  Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...
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    • Red Cliff, Colorado

      Ski to Fowler-Hilliard Hut

      6.5 mi / 2500 ft gain
      Fowler-Hilliard hut sits at 11,500 ft on a forested ridge of Resolution Mountain, with easy access to intermediate and expert backcountry skiing right out the door. This newer hut was built in 2010 after the original hut burned down from a lightning strike. The hut comes stocked with padded mattr...
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    • Grand Lake, Colorado

      Photograph Moose in Rocky Mountain National Park

      4.3
      Moose are the largest members of the deer family. They can stand over 6ft tall at their shoulders and weigh over 1500lbs. Males have antlers which can reach 6ft across and weigh up to 40lbs each. Amazingly these impressive creatures are strictly herbivores and will eat several dozen pounds of veg...
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    • Grand Lake, United States

      Hike to Timber Lake

      4.5
      9.6 mi / 2050 ft gain
      I love Timber Lake! I never see that many people on the trail and I can't figure out why. The hike starts at the Timber Lake trailhead and climbs gradually through Pine and Aspen trees on the way up. We saw a few elk on the way up that didn't seem to be bothered by our presence. We also started h...
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    • Grand Lake, Colorado

      Hike the Colorado River Trailhead Loop

      5.0
      13.6 mi / 1245 ft gain
      Since this hike is 13.6 miles (according to my watch the hike was more around 14 miles, but it's in that range), I'm going to break it down into four different parts.  To Lulu CityTo Little Yellowstone / Thunder PassThe Grand Ditch  Red Mountain Trail  The first 0.5 miles and the last 0.5 miles a...
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    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Chapin Pass Trail to Mount Chapin

      3.95 mi / 1316 ft gain
      Chapin Pass Trail to Mount Chapin is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Estes Park, Colorado.
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    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Mt. Ida via Milner Pass

      5.0
      9.28 mi / 2112 ft gain
      The hike to Mt. Ida offers some of the most stunning views of Rocky Mountain National Park. How to get there: From the east, take Trail Ridge Road all the way to the west side of the park. You will pass Alpine Visitor Center and the road sharply turns south at Medicine Bow Curve. The trailhead...
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