The sun is shining longer each day, and the weather is turning warmer, which means lots of people are gearing up for the outdoors. Spring hiking is the perfect way to shed those winter blues and start to work on your tan for summer. If you’re planning to spend time in the Rocky Mountains this spring, take advantage of the great hikes that are available throughout Colorado.
Summit County
From leisurely to strenuous, Summit County has great hikes for all ability levels. Short and relatively flat trails like the Rainbow Lake trail in Frisco, CO offer a great option for families. More strenuous hikes like the Wheeler Lakes trail near Copper Mountain and the Mohawk Lake trail in Breckenridge reward the ambitious hiker with amazing views. In addition to backcountry trails, Summit County has a vast network of recreational paths which are paved for bikers but also a great way to explore on foot.
Vail
Explore the ski trails of the world-renowned ski resort or get a panoramic view of the slopes from the next mountain over. Vail has plenty of hiking trails to satisfy your urge to explore! Pick up a summer trail map at the base area or venture furthur afield and check out the trails around Vail Pass and the surrounding areas. Or drive west on Interstate 70 towards Glenwood Springs for the one-of-a-kind Hanging Lake trail for unrivaled scenery.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Don’t miss out on a great, low-traffic time of year to see this gorgeous destination! Rocky Mountain National Park boasts more than 350 miles of trails on 415 acres. Before you stretch your legs, you can drive Trail Ridge Road and reach over 12,000 feet in elevation. Then, get close to nature on one of the many hiking trails from easy to expert. No matter what level of difficulty you decide to tackle, you’re sure to enjoy incredible scenery, abundant wildlife and memories to last a lifetime.
Fourteeners
When you feel like you’ve just got to take your hiking experience to the next level, it’s time to hike your first “fourteener” or 14,000 foot mountain. Colorado has over 50 peaks that cross the 14,000′ threshold, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Pikes Peak is probably the most famous and makes for an intense 26 mile climb on the standard route. Other fourteeners are a bit less intimidating with Quandary, Grays, Torreys, and Mt. Sherman among those most recommended for beginners.
Whatever you’re looking for in a hike, Spring in Colorado is the perfect time to hit the trail!
