Category | Hiking

Tucked away within the Rio Grande National Forest, this little town located about an hour from Gunnison in Hinsdale County is the perfect place to enjoy all that the region has to offer, including mountain biking, fourteeners, fly fishing, hiking, epic scenic drives, and more. Read on for our recommendations for how to spend the […]

With both feet planted firmly so as not to slip and tumble down into the clouds, Hugo Benitez glanced over his shoulder, down to the shrouded ties and water-diverting structures that he and his team installed during two previous jobs on the Manitou Incline. “We never thought we would be here,” he said atop the […]

Found on Tuesday after three nights on 14,075-foot Missouri Mountain, Shuei Kato lived to tell his tale. According to KUSA 9NEWS, Kato took a wrong turn on his way down from the summit that resulted in him being four miles off trail with waning daylight. Not planning to be in the wilderness overnight, Kato’s only […]

Sarah Savage was alone in the woods and didn’t know which way to turn. She had been eager to explore the Appalachian Trail when she moved to Pennsylvania and discovered that her house was near an access point. But not long after she took off from the trailhead, the path branched in different directions. She […]

Summit County, just a short distance from Denver,  offers a variety of adrenaline-fueled peak climbs and scrambling routes. From the imposing ridge lines of the Tenmile Range to the thrilling scrambling routes up some of the highest peaks in the lower 48, there is rock for every type of scramble junkie. RELATED: The 14er with […]

High in the Comanche Peaks Wilderness, the Flowers Trail cuts a stunning path through still-thawing meadows painted with colorful blooms. But along with the beauty comes a tragic back story. On June 13, 1944, an Army Air Forces B-17 flying a training mission out of Rapid City, S.D., went off course and slammed into a […]

Crested Butte, tucked among soaring peaks in the Elk Range, is an authentic 19th century mining town that reinvented itself as a mountain playground. Crested Butte is hard to beat for a weekend getaway with its small-town ambiance, plentiful restaurants and accommodations, variety of outdoor activities, and world-class views. Crested Butte is really Colorado mountain […]

The mountain and the people on it are wrapped in a cloud, hidden. Their presence is announced by a warning that echoes in the basin below 14,170-foot Kit Carson Peak. “Rock!” shouts one of the college students on a talus field, where a new trail to the summit is being built. The stone stops before […]

In the wake of several recent accidents on Colorado famous fourteeners, concern has been raised about climber safety and whether or not the objective of “peak bagging”, or attempting to summit as many fourteeners as possible, has resulted in climbers irresponsibly pushing themselves outside of their experience level. While some fourteener routes are more straightforward, […]

Far from the Rocky Mountains, in a remote eastern corner of Colorado where wind turbines outnumber people, two buttes rise dramatically from the prairie. The Pawnee Buttes are so far north they’re practically in Wyoming, and so far from the Front Range that a visit will take you most of the day. But it’s worth […]

Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall in the Colorado high country. Luckily, there are plenty of Summit County activities to do as the season turns. Some would argue these activities are even more fun during the autumn months than in the summer. We’ll let you be the judge. RELATED: […]

Over the weekend, three hikers were stranded at the base of Roan Plateau near Rifle, Colorado when they got stuck in too-steep terrain. Though Garfield County Search and Rescue was deployed after receiving a call about the situation at 5:33 p.m., operations were halted at nightfall, leaving the party of unprepared hikers in the backcountry […]

Fall is arguably the most beautiful time of year to hike in Colorado. The air is crisp and cool, the sun’s rays peek through golden aspen trees, and the trails are often less crowded than during the July and August busy seasons. One of the best ways to explore the Elk Mountains that encompass the […]

Spending a summer working trail crew will change you. It will challenge you, and at the same time, simplify your life. You’ll be cold and uncomfortable, and at times, thirsty and sunburned, but you’ll leave knowing so much more about Colorado and so much more about yourself. If that’s not enough to convince you, here’s […]

Calling all lady adventurers out there. Seeing as we’re more than halfway through the “Year of the Woman” (re: REI’s “Force of Nature” campaign to address gender imbalances in outdoor recreation: “2017 is going to be a landmark year for gender equity in the outdoors”), take advantage of the upcoming women-only clinics and workshops throughout […]

Spanish for “good view,” Buena Vista lives up to its name. A town built on the Arkansas River surrounded by the 14,000 foot peaks of the Collegiate and Sawatch mountain ranges, this is one summer destination that can’t be missed. Whether you’re looking to escape the crowded city, or looking for a place that offers […]

It’s that time of year again: The days are getting shorter, and the new school year is fast approaching. But before the kids head back, you still have time to get in one more big adventure. Whether your family enjoys city excursions, high alpine adventures, or exploring new landscapes, we’ve put together a few of […]

  Spanning nearly 500,000 acres in southern Colorado, the Weminuche Wilderness is Colorado’s largest Wilderness Area. From the Continental Divide and the headwaters of the Rio Grande on the east side, to the craggy peaks known as the “American Alps” on the west side, to the dark, vast interior where you may go days without […]

While most people are most familiar with Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, the most dangerous mountains to ascend in Colorado include some lesser-known names. Only 54 mountains in Colorado rise above 14,000 feet, but there are over 1,300 peaks cresting above 12,000 feet with plenty of challenging vertical to pursue. Proceed with caution; but if you’ve got […]

Colorado may not have a beach, but thanks to the seismic forces that created the Rocky Mountains, we have plenty of hot springs. At these magical locations, geothermally-heated water bubbles up from deep below the surface for our soaking pleasure.And what better way to earn your soak than with an invigorating hike? Hike and soak […]

In Colorado, it is the mountains with the 14,000-foot summits that get most of the attention. There’s something about that 14,000-foot mark, an almost unfathomable height, that makes the peaks look that much more jagged and attracts those looking to push themselves in the backcountry. Meanwhile, there are nearly 600 named and unnamed peaks between 13,000 […]

Colorado is home to more 14,000-foot peaks than anywhere else in the Lower 48. If the thin air doesn’t take your breath away, the view might. It’s an unparalleled feeling to push yourself to that summit and look out over the landscape, a small speck on top of the world. But hiking Colorado fourteeners,  even […]

The four-star crack climbing at Cathedral Spires summons dreamers with big wall Indian Creek and Yosemite routes in mind. Here, you’ll find Colorado’s finest 5.9 crack climbing, but not without enduring the area’s tricky hike-to approach. RELATED: [GALLERY] Climbing in Colorado Getting to Cathedral Spires The ten rock formations that make up Cathedral Spires lie […]

If you’ve hiked much in the Rocky Mountains, you’ve probably found yourself in a beautiful location – maybe a crystal blue mountain lake or a stunning vista – and thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to spend the night up here?” With the right gear and knowledge, you can. And it’s easier than you think. Backpacking […]

Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, well above tree line, the Ice Lake Basin is home to one of the most brilliant cobalt blue lakes in all of Colorado. Although the hike to this lake is strenuous, the views of nearby Grant Peak and other lakes in the Ice Lake Basin make the trek […]

The Flatirons, tilted rock slabs pasted on Green Mountain and South Boulder Peak, form Boulder’s iconic mountain skyline. The huge red Flatirons were named for their resemblance to flat irons, metal pieces that were heated and used to press clothes by pioneer women in the 19th century. Five main formations—called the First, Second, Third, Fourth, […]

What goes in your daypack? There are 10 essential items you should carry in your daypack when heading out on a hike of up to 4 hours. You should pack a few additional items (extra food, water filter, layers of clothing) if you’re heading out on a full-day hike or into difficult or isolated terrain. […]

During one visit with avid runner and hiker Sam Bremner, he was two peaks short of climbing all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains. He chickened out on the airy “catwalk” ridge to 14,083-foot Mount Eolus and couldn’t handle the ropes on the aptly named “knife-edge” ridge on 14,130-foot Capitol Peak. Of course, ropes can be […]

Covering 210,000 acres of canyon country in Colorado and Utah, Dinosaur National Monument is an archeological, scenic, and cultural wonder. The Green and Yampa rivers form spectacular canyons, which are home to cliffside dinosaur remains and ancient Native American petroglyphs and pictographs. Visitors can see these sites by hiking down into the canyon, strolling along […]

While Colorado’s mountains are renowned for their beauty, they also strike fear in even the most adventurous climbers due to the extreme nature of their terrain. High cliffs drop off into ravines and canyons hundreds of feet below, and peaks sit balanced on delicate scree fields on their flanks. Here are seven of the scariest […]

If stories of mysterious disappearances and unexplained paranormal activity sound like your kind of fun, these seven haunted hikes in Colorado will not disappoint. From distant whispers to full-fledged ghost stories, these Colorado trails provide adventurers with enough adrenaline to satisfy any thrill-seeker. Strap on your boots and fill up your bottles…if you dare. RELATED: […]

Climbing a 14,000-foot peak is a quintessential Colorado hiking experience. Colorado’s high peaks offer a stunning array of ecological zones, each with its own flora and fauna adapted to that particular elevation and weather. To illustrate what to expect, we chose 14,345-foot Blanca Peak, which rises dramatically 6,500 feet above the floor of the San […]

Your feet have to work hard to help keep your body upright and moving. Take care of them and you can look forward to miles and miles of discovering new trails. Think about how many steps your take during a 6-mile hike and how much weight your feet are carrying and you’ll appreciate just how […]

A note for hikers, cyclists, mountain bikers, horseback riders, dirt bikers and tourist gawkers: We can all just get along. Outdoors lovers in Colorado use trails in a lot of different ways, and conflicts are inevitable. In that spirit, we offer some reminders on trail etiquette, so your trip to the mesa, forest, river or […]

Yes, the outdoors can be a place full of adventure and opportunities for an adrenaline rush. But equally, the outdoors can be a place for peace and rejuvenation. Check out our top 10 most relaxing places to visit in Colorado, and take a load off! Explore More: — Colorado’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls — Top 7 […]

Pikes Peak, standing east of the main bulk of Colorado’s mountains, is the historic landmark of the southern Rockies, and with a 14,115-foot summit, dominates the landscape like no other Colorado peak. The conspicuous mountain, easily seen from over 100 miles away, was a symbol and beacon for prospectors and pioneers journeying westward in the […]

As ski season winds down in the Colorado Rockies, Saint Mary’s Glacier provides a year round snow destination for hikers and skiers. If you’re looking to get out of the city for a day trip and beat the heat this summer, look no further than Saint Mary’s. RELATED: Colorado’s Most Hikeable Volcano Saint Mary’s Glacier […]

Daniel Boone once said, “I’ve never been lost, but I was mighty turned around for three days once.” And he didn’t even have GPS. Explorers once had faith in the sun and stars to show the way. Maps and compasses later revolutionized travel with the tiny arrow that always points north.Today, we have hand-held GPS […]

As one of the wildest landscapes in the country, there are tons of unique Colorado hikes that you’ll have a hard time comparing to anything else you’ll find in the country. Here’s a collection of a few of our favorite “weird” hikes around the state, ranging from beginner trails to much more difficult routes. Don’t […]

Located just west of Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is a picturesque canyon playground, with deep, red rock formations, over 40 miles of hiking trails, and a year-round campground. National Geographic-worthy sights at every turn and the breathtaking 23-mile scenic Rim Rock Drive around the park make visiting Colorado National Monument an unforgettable experience. RELATED: […]

With four of Colorado’s largest ski areas – all just a short drive from Denver – Summit County is known for skiing. Folks live and breathe winter here. But there’s more than skiing and snowboarding. Summit County is located deep heart of the Colorado Rockies; it’s an area steeped in mining history, rich in shopping […]

People that aren’t used to traveling around Colorado seem to assume that the Centennial State is all ski resorts. They couldn’t be more wrong. With tons of biking, hiking, climbing, rafting, and more during the warmer months of the year, Colorado is one state that won’t disappoint regardless of the season. Here are a few […]

Built in 1892, the Crystal Mill provides a great glimpse into Colorado mining life. As one of the most visually appealing ruins in the state, the mill structure stands tall above Crystal River in Gunnison County, attracting adventurers and photographers alike. While it’s referred to as a mill, the structure is really more of a […]

Longs Peak, the crown jewel of Rocky Mountain National Park, is the northernmost fourteener in the Colorado Rockies and is the highest point in Boulder County. In spite of this mountain’s relative proximity to the Front Range, it also one of the harder fourteener climbs in Colorado. RELATED: The 6-Day Colorado Mountain Climbing Itinerary RELATED: […]

Nestled in Chaffee County, Colorado, Browns Canyon National Monument is one stunning Colorado destination that can’t be missed. Consisting of nearly 22,000 acres, Browns Canyon wasn’t considered a National Monument until February of 2015 when Barack Obama signed the Antiquities Act designating it as such. One of the reasons this change was made was to […]

A natural swimming hole near Aspen, the Devil’s Punchbowl is famous for attracting cliff jumpers from far and wide. It’s carved out of the rock by Roaring Fork River, and the cliffs around the pit are roughly 20 feet high, giving jumpers quite a thrill. If you’re planning a visit, please keep in mind that […]

If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Coloradans are competitive when it comes to bagging as many 14,000 peak summits around the state as possible. One big draw for this activity is that climbing 14ers is typically free (with the exception of supplies). That’s not the case for Culebra Peak. Located on private land, climbers […]

Accessible by hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Chasm Lake is known around Colorado for its stunning panoramic views and brilliant coloring. It’s located at close to 12,000 feet, so the hike is a hard one. But believe us, with a view like this, the hard work pays off. NEARBY: Colorado’s Pond in the Clouds! […]

Tucked away in Southeastern Colorado lies one of the largest preserved dinosaur trackways in the world. At the bottom of the 400-foot deep Picketwire Canyon, there’s a stretch of more than 1,300 visible tracks known as the Purgatoire River track site, a common route for traveling dinosaurs years ago. RELATED: The 6 Best Places To […]

Colorado’s natural landscape has evolved over the course of millions of years. The land was once inhabited by a variety of dinosaurs and diverse plant life, including enormous redwoods. However, a series of volcanic eruptions altered the landscape forever.  A few places remain around Colorado that allow today’s inhabitants to catch a glimpse into that […]

As perhaps the most photogenic spot in Colorado, the high alpine Dream Lake is one destination that’s been making bucket lists around the country for decades. Known for its glassy surface and the massive cliffs that tower above it, Dream Lake is one destination in Rocky Mountain National Park that can’t be missed. RELATED: 13 […]

It doesn’t exactly have the drama of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius or Washington’s smoky Mount St. Helens—But the Dotsero Crater, the youngest of three volcanoes in Colorado, is by far the cutest of all. RELATED: Did You Know Colorado Has A State Dinosaur? The maar (crater) is only half a mile wide and about 600 feet deep at […]

Believe it or not, there used to be a nuclear weapons production facility 16 miles northwest of Denver in an area known as the Rocky Flats. In fact, it was so close to the city that there has been an ongoing debate regarding whether or not its presence has increased cancer rates in certain suburbs, […]

The Boulder Flatirons, one of Colorado’s most photographed natural attractions, are an iconic facet of the Front Range. Consisting of five large flatirons, a type of rock formation created by differential erosion of a harder layer of rock on top of a softer layer, some geologists estimate that these popped up between 35 and 80 million […]

Home to the United States Olympic Training Center, Pikes Peak, and the Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs gets its fair share of tourism. We’ve come up with 5 great day trips from the Colorado Springs area sure to make your summer freetime a little more exciting. 1. Phantom Canyon Named after reported sightings of a […]

A few hundred millennia ago, dinosaurs roamed the land that is now the state of Colorado. Tricerotops and long-necked dinosaurs like stegosaurus once tread along the shores of the inland seas that filled the basins of the Rocky Mountains. Today, you can visit places throughout the state where remnants of these ancient creatures still reside. […]

It’s no wonder why so many people are drawn to climbing Colorado 14ers. Few things will have you feeling as accomplished as conquering a massive mountain. We’ve put together the perfect drive to get you to a few of the easiest ones to start with, whether you’re new to the state, in town for a […]

Coloradans collect 14er summits like a hunter collects trophies to hang on their wall. Each peak they bag is a mark of pride, a story to tell for years to come. While many people dream about summiting every single one in the state, most start on the easiest (as they should) and then progress, slowly […]

If the golden aspen trees are the highlight of the Colorado fall season, then the wildflowers steal the show in the Colorado summer season. Stunning petals blanket the hillsides in mid-July in the high alpine environment, while colorful blooms can be found a bit sooner as you travel closer to the Eastern Plains. There are […]

Perhaps one of the most talked about hiking routes in the Centennial State, the Manitou Incline attracts hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the entire country. Essentially a staircase that climbs 2,000 feet in less than a mile, many consider this trek to be a form of punishment. That being said, if you want […]