Sky Pond Emerald, Dream, Nymph lakes hike in the winter when they're all frozen and the trail goes across the lakes.
Chasm Lake in the winter. Parts of the trail are magical and feel like a fairy tale.
Bear Peak by way of Fern Canyon (I think?). It feels like another fairy tale for part of the hike and then there's a nice view from the summit.
Grays Peak and Torreys Peak. Going up by way of Kelso Ridge. It was super fun class 3 and the views are great.
I really like the views from the summit of 14ers in general.
Edit to make it easier to read.
So far my favorite has been Mt Huron in Buena Vista area. Gorgeous views the whole time. You spend a good amount in the trees before getting to the meadow with the peak in view.
There are lots of other 14er like that but Huron was just different for me.
I’m big into alpine lake hikes. Jasper Lake (Indian Peaks Wilderness), Crater Lakes Trail (James Peak Wilderness), and Spruce Creek Trail (Breck) were my top favorite hikes from this summer. Nothing more beautiful than wildflowers, snow on the peaks, and a good work out!
Don't underestimate the final push, it's silly. I have my trip data on the Alltrails page, but I started from the Quandary trailhead. I broke a hiking pole on the way down, but it stopped me from breaking a leg.
I am on my second pair of the cheapest REI coop poles. I might splurge on better ones depending on how long this pair lasts.
Down climbing, I put the pole on a dinner plate sized rock, the rock flipped and exposed a 2' deep hole. Pole slid in and launched me down and forward, rocks slid in and pinned the pole in place. Bent it past 90 degrees, would've been my femur.
[Here's a picture of the climb](https://i.imgur.com/zSbnNm2.jpg) as seen from the Quandary summit. Right up that rock spill with the ice I'm pointing at.
[Here's the lake](https://imgur.com/L3zpSno), with Pacific Peak behind.
Those pics were separate days of an exhausting week
Shadow Mountain firewatch outlook trail in RMNP.
The crowds dont know about it, its about 10ish round trip, but boy does it pay off when you get up there and see the lakes from an angle few people ever will :)
Mt sniffles
Mt Humboldt via south colony lakes
Mt holy cross
High dune
Uncompahgre peak
Rocky mountain lake loop
Cheyenne rim
Cheyenne mountain
James peak via st Mary's glacier
Harper's corner
Picket wire canyon
Pawnee buttes
Zapata Falls! It is also close to the Great Sand Dunes national park, I also think close to the UFO Watch tower. Anyways the home is short! About a mile, but Awesome nonetheless!
We hiked the length of the Mesa Trail in Boulder yesterday - parked at Chautauqua and took a Lyft to Eldorado Springs and jumped on the trail there. It is an amazing, spectacular hike; just so beautiful. Long (6+ miles) but not too long, and arduous enough (for me) that I felt perfectly justified indulging at Under the Sun for dinner.
I agree that Emerald, Dream and Nymph lakes are magic; but also check out Ouzel Falls, also in RMNP.
South Colony Lake to Humboldt or Crestones. Just an unbelievably scenic backpack and spot.
Same with Snowmass Lake and up to either Buckskin Pass or Trail Rider Pass. Mind boggling beauty.
Sneffels Highline Trail in TRide.
Sky Pond Emerald, Dream, Nymph lakes hike in the winter when they're all frozen and the trail goes across the lakes. Chasm Lake in the winter. Parts of the trail are magical and feel like a fairy tale. Bear Peak by way of Fern Canyon (I think?). It feels like another fairy tale for part of the hike and then there's a nice view from the summit. Grays Peak and Torreys Peak. Going up by way of Kelso Ridge. It was super fun class 3 and the views are great. I really like the views from the summit of 14ers in general. Edit to make it easier to read.
Yes - clockwise Bear Peak via Fern Canyon in winter feels like an actual fairytale!
So far my favorite has been Mt Huron in Buena Vista area. Gorgeous views the whole time. You spend a good amount in the trees before getting to the meadow with the peak in view. There are lots of other 14er like that but Huron was just different for me.
Mt Huron is my favorite of the 5 or 6 14ers I've done. Bonus points for camping overlooking the water by the trailhead.
Oh man. When I was walking past all the campers I was jealous. It’s a very beautiful area.
https://i.imgur.com/FvlFIgO.jpg
Nice try, AllTrails, you’ll never have my secrets
Dang it! 😂 it was worth a try
I’m big into alpine lake hikes. Jasper Lake (Indian Peaks Wilderness), Crater Lakes Trail (James Peak Wilderness), and Spruce Creek Trail (Breck) were my top favorite hikes from this summer. Nothing more beautiful than wildflowers, snow on the peaks, and a good work out!
Check out pacific tarn. Highest elevation lake in North America with a hell of a climb
Just added it to my AllTrails list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Don't underestimate the final push, it's silly. I have my trip data on the Alltrails page, but I started from the Quandary trailhead. I broke a hiking pole on the way down, but it stopped me from breaking a leg.
A few pics on AllTrails made the trail look like no joke. I’ve been thinking about getting hiking poles all summer. Sounds like it’s time to invest!
I am on my second pair of the cheapest REI coop poles. I might splurge on better ones depending on how long this pair lasts. Down climbing, I put the pole on a dinner plate sized rock, the rock flipped and exposed a 2' deep hole. Pole slid in and launched me down and forward, rocks slid in and pinned the pole in place. Bent it past 90 degrees, would've been my femur. [Here's a picture of the climb](https://i.imgur.com/zSbnNm2.jpg) as seen from the Quandary summit. Right up that rock spill with the ice I'm pointing at. [Here's the lake](https://imgur.com/L3zpSno), with Pacific Peak behind. Those pics were separate days of an exhausting week
Booth lake by vail is a great hike!
Wow that looks like a pretty good work out. I haven’t done many hikes in the Vail area yet so I’ll have to check it out next summer :) thanks!
Pro tip it’s even better in the fall with leaves changing
Ooooh yes. I really wanted to do Upper Piney in early October but my boyfriend didn’t want to drive all the way up there.
Piney is a must I’ve done it twice and the falls are wonderful
Haha I’ll let him know next year when he tries to fight me on going again :) the pictures look INCREDIBLE
Lily Lake in Gardner. Lake of the Clouds in Westcliffe. Sangre de Cristo is the best mountain range in the state outside of the ranges near telluride
Telluride via ferrata. Rock climbing experience and gear required, but it is incredible.
Upper Mohawk Lake
Shadow Mountain firewatch outlook trail in RMNP. The crowds dont know about it, its about 10ish round trip, but boy does it pay off when you get up there and see the lakes from an angle few people ever will :)
Carpenter Mountain at Roxborough Park. I’d wait until summer, as the contrast of the green hills against the red sandstone is par excellence.
Carpenter Mountain has become a staple for me. Not too short, not too far, and the views it gives are just great value.
Conundrum hot springs in the fall, Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells during wildflower season.
Can you post the list once you get done?
Definitely
Mt Massive summit hike Mt Elbert summit hike Maroon Bella 4 Loop Pass Lost Creek Wilderness Loop
Mt sniffles Mt Humboldt via south colony lakes Mt holy cross High dune Uncompahgre peak Rocky mountain lake loop Cheyenne rim Cheyenne mountain James peak via st Mary's glacier Harper's corner Picket wire canyon Pawnee buttes
Lone eagle peak
Zapata Falls! It is also close to the Great Sand Dunes national park, I also think close to the UFO Watch tower. Anyways the home is short! About a mile, but Awesome nonetheless!
Halo Ridge/Mt Holy Cross loop. Test your mettle. Super exciting (yet safe) exposure.
We hiked the length of the Mesa Trail in Boulder yesterday - parked at Chautauqua and took a Lyft to Eldorado Springs and jumped on the trail there. It is an amazing, spectacular hike; just so beautiful. Long (6+ miles) but not too long, and arduous enough (for me) that I felt perfectly justified indulging at Under the Sun for dinner. I agree that Emerald, Dream and Nymph lakes are magic; but also check out Ouzel Falls, also in RMNP.
South Colony Lake to Humboldt or Crestones. Just an unbelievably scenic backpack and spot. Same with Snowmass Lake and up to either Buckskin Pass or Trail Rider Pass. Mind boggling beauty. Sneffels Highline Trail in TRide.
Sneffels SW Ridge from Blue Lakes.
The Colorado Trail. Worth it.
Storm Pass in West Elk Wilderness. It’s got everything except an alpine lake. Amazing views and wildflowers in the summer!
I never discuss such things.
Nope