Summit County, Colorado

Begin at the Fourth of July Trailhead.  Day parking is free and overnight parking is $5.  Fourth of July is a popular trailhead and to ensure parking, you should arrive early in the morning (6am-ish... cause, I mean, you gotta 7 hour day in front of you). Follow the Fourth of July trail from the ...

Diamond Lake is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This is a super popular destination, so make sure you arrive early to get a parking spot (and be sure to follow all parking rules, they do give out tickets at this trailhead and others nearby). The drive to the trailhead is about 4 miles dow...

The trail begins at the 4th of July trailhead, which is located near the Eldora ski area and can be crowded during the summer and weekends. The road is rough in places but passable by any car when dry. From the parking area begin hiking the Arapaho pass trail, which will gently gain elevation thr...

Starting at the Rich Creek Campground this wonderful moderate hike forms a loop by connecting the Rich Creek Trail and the Tumble Creek trail. in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness. Flanked by the Collegiate Peaks, in Spring and Summer the area is awash with rushing creeks, lush wet lowlands & deep...

Upper Maxwell Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail, which is the shortest and most direct route to Maxwell Falls located near Conifer, Colorado. If you're looking for a little longer trail, check out this Maxwell Falls adventure for a roughly 4-mile loop hike. 

I included a trail map of where I camped. There are many sites all throughout this area. From the Lost Park Campground Parking lot follow the Lost Creek for 2.4 miles. At the 1 mile mark was the best place that we found to cross the creek (there are two logs that make a bridge across the creek). ...

Begin on Staunton Ranch Trail for 3.3 miles. Switch to Bugling Elk Trail for the next 1.1 miles, then to Lion's Back Trail for the last mile to the overlook. From here, you can create the loop by backtracking to the Chimney Rock Trail, which then connects with the Elk Falls Trail. To head back to...

Davis Ponds Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Conifer, Colorado.

From downtown Basalt, drive up the Fryingpan River Road 28 miles and turn right on CR #504, also known as Elliot Way, just before Norrie Colony. Drive across the river and up the switchbacks for approximately 3 miles. Take the left fork, continue 1 mile and take the right fork approximately 1/2 m...

Located just outside of Evergreen, this beginner hike is a great escape from the city for a few hours. There are three different options to hike to the falls: Maxwell Falls Lower Trail (4 miles), Upper Maxwell Falls Trail (1.1 miles), and Maxwell Falls Bluffs Cliffside Trail Loop (5 miles). On th...

Classic Route to the Summit of Colorado's highest peak Great for All Seasons this is the Recommended Winter Route with minimal Avalanche Danger.  Known as the South Mount Elbert trail, the East Ridge trail or a combo of both, this trail is truly beautiful and remote. DIRECTIONS: To reach the t...

Start the hike at the Blue Grouse Trailhead located next to Kriley Pond. Travel along Blue Grouse Trail for 0.7 miles until you reach a fork in the trail at Mule Trail where you will take a right. Along the Mule Trail you will travel up a series of switch backs before the trail levels out and you...

Elk Range Trail is an incredible and beautiful hike that is just off of Route 6 but feels a million miles away. Drive up Douglas Mountain Road for the west park access (and I do mean UP - it's a quick elevation gain), and you'll run right into the Centennial Cone Park entrance. There is a bathroo...

Elk Meadow Park near Evergreen, CO spans 1,140 acres of open meadow and pine forests and has over 16 miles of managed trails by Jeffco Open Space. This park will give the visitor a diverse taste of ecosystems and terrain and is perfect for trail runners, families, or those seeking a quick excursi...

This is the way to see fall colors if you're into empty trails and endorphins. Grind up the trail starting from South Elbert Trailhead. You'll turn right onto the Colorado Trail at .3 miles and stay here for as long as you like, or 7.3 miles to the Mount Elbert Trailhead. Turn around and go back ...

This trail starts off at Slough Pond, a great fishing pond or picnic spot. The trail starts out tree-covered. After a few tenths of a mile you have the choice to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you go counter-clockwise you have about 3/4 of a mile of steep uphill hiking to do (the Park rate...