Westminster, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Westminster

  • Nederland, Colorado

    Camping at Brainard Lake

    5.0
    Pawnee Campground has 47 sites for suited for tents, RVs, or trailers with eight that are walk in and tent only. These can fill up quick so get there early if you don't have a reservation, which can be tough to come by but will be well worth it.Brainard Lake has been one of the most popular hikin...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore 'The Hidden Gems' of Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 950 ft gain
    Getting There From Denver, go W on I-70 and take exit 238 for Fall River Rd. Continue on this road before taking a left on Alice Rd. Continue on Alice Rd. until you see the right hand turn for Steuart Rd. This is where you park. Do not attempt this road in a AWD or 2WD you definitely need a good ...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Hike to Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 948 ft gain
    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...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Pawnee & Buchanan Pass Loop

    5.0
    26.98 mi / 6978 ft gain
    Before you start your trip, get a camping permit from the Boulder Ranger Station. Plan to spend your first night in the Crater Lake BZ (Backcountry Zone), and your second in Buchanan BZ. If you're feeling particularly sedate, you can easily spend a third night in Coney Creek. Start early in the ...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Shoshoni Peak

    5.0
    10.61 mi / 2470 ft gain
    Hike one of the most scenic 12ers in Colorado's front range, Shoshoni Peak, with an elevation of 12,967 feet. You can easily combine a summit of Pawnee Peak for wonderful views of multiple alpine cirques. Enjoy wonderful views of the Long Lake Valley, Isabelle Glacier, and Pawnee Pass regions. Fo...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Climb Apache Peak

    10 mi / 3280 ft gain
    Start at the Long Lake Trailhead ($10 parking fee) and head up the trail towards Isabell Lake. You'll pass both Long Lake and Isabelle lake, with spectacular views at both. At Lake Isabelle, be sure to continue straight on the trail, further up the valley, not the right turn up to Pawnee Pass.Con...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Pawnee Pass and Pawnee Peak

    5.0
    9.95 mi / 2490 ft gain
    Start at the Long Lake trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation area (there's a fee to park, if you don't have a pass). Take the trail towards Lake Isabelle for a few miles, winding through forest and past Long Lake. Signage towards Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass is apparent. Just as you reach ...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Lake Isabelle via Long Lake Trailhead

    4.5
    4.09 mi / 374 ft gain
    Start at the Pawnee Pass Trail No. 907 Trailhead. Long Lake is about 2 tenths of a mile and Lake Isabelle is 2 miles from the trailhead. Keep an eye out for moose grazing in the bushes or in the water near Long Lake. This is a 4 mile out and back hike with well marked trails. For an 8.75 mile hi...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Isabelle Glacier

    5.0
    8.62 mi / 1578 ft gain
    Getting There The trailhead can be reached from Boulder by driving west through Boulder Canyon on Highway 42 to Nederland, then going north on the Peak-to-Peak Highway 72 to the town of Ward. From there, a National Forest Sign on the west side of the highway provides directions to the ranger stat...
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  • Castle Rock, Colorado

    Run the Challenge Hill

    5.0
    0.6 mi / 200 ft gain
    The Basics: The Challenge Hill, or as I like to call it, the Mini-Incline, is a shrunken version of its big brother to the south in Manitou. However, don't let its relatively small 200 stair count fool you - this hill is a serious workout! Located in Philip S. Miller Park, just one minute off I-2...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Upper Diamond Lake via Fourth of July Trailhead

    4.8
    8.12 mi / 2037 ft gain
    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...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike the Arapaho Traverse

    8.3 mi / 3500 ft gain
    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 ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to Diamond Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

    5.0
    5.7 mi / 1361 ft gain
    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...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike South Araphaho Peak

    5.0
    8 mi / 2533 ft gain
    Start your hike at the 4th of July Trailhead, just outside of Eldora, CO. From the trailhead at the north end of the parking lot, steadily climb through the trees until a junction at 1 mile. Take the right fork towards Arapaho pass.You'll start to climb above treeline, with spectacular views of t...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Caribou Lake via 4th of July Trailhead

    4.0
    9.01 mi / 2474 ft gain
    This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in Colorado. It is a great trip for photographers, fisherman or anyone who enjoys mountain views, forests filled with wildlife and peaceful meadows. Distances: Arapaho Pass: 3.2 miles, Caribou Lake: 4.2 miles, Caribou Pass: 6.4 miles, M...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Arapaho Pass and Lake Dorothy

    4.3
    7.02 mi / 1923 ft gain
    Begin by parking at the 4th of July trailhead. This can be reached by conituing past the Eldora ski area and up a rough but passable (for all vehicles) gravel road to the trailhead. The trail is easy to find, and will continue to rise for the next 1.15 miles. At just over a mile there is a fork ...
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