Hidden Lake Lookout! What a trail that promised much and delivered more! The name evokes pictures in my mind of a half-frozen lake, rocky crags still studded with snow, and wildflowers galore along the trail. Its 9.3 mile length also…
12 Places Worth Visiting at Least 10 miles Down a Dirt Road
I can’t say I travel to get to the dirt roads. But when that’s all that is between me and a lovely I hike I want to take, let’s just say I’m very willing to tackle the road. Some are…
Pretty Little Lakes in the Flat Tops on the Sand Creek Trail
Although I like long hikes, sometimes we just need a shorter walk. My group does get tired (or just isn’t in the mood for yet another 12 mile (20 km) trek), or we want to do one short thing before…
Ute Trail West
I think I’ve hiked the Ute Trail just about every time I’ve gone to Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s something top-of-the world about hiking the eastern section of the trail with views of the Continental Divide. However, on our last…
Off-Trail Hiking to a Flat Tops Mountain: Pyramid Peak
We like to have a destination in mind when we’re hiking. It’s for sanity, mostly. We all know that if we can just “walk until we decide to turn around” we’ll never turn around until we’re way further from the…
Cathedral Lake: Lovely, Popular, Alpine Hike
A couple weeks ago, I posted about hiking to Electric Pass, the highest named pass in Colorado. The trail to the pass isn’t exceedingly popular, but Cathedral Lake – which can be a side trip off of your hike to…
Electric Pass: The Highest Named Pass in Colorado
I’d say that Electric Pass would be a stunning hike in late June. Actually, it’s in an amazing area at any time of year, but the highest named pass in Colorado would be especially beautiful at a time when the…
Serene Lakes, Wind-swept Cliffs: Medicine Bow Peak Loop
Occasionally, I’ll see a picture and instantly think, “If that’s in the US, I’ve got to go there.” Medicine Bow Peak, in southern Wyoming, was one of those pictures. After a single glimpse of the area, I knew I’d be…
Linkins Lake: Beauty near Independence Pass
Independence Pass in Colorado is a beautiful area. Many 13ers and 14ers stand straight and massive around it, and alpine meadows and lakes set off the mountains’ craggy slopes. So, when we had a few hours to kill while traveling…
Flat Tops to Himes Peak: Adventurous, but Beautiful
After ascending Amphitheatre Peak, we decided we didn’t really want to descend the way we’d come along the Wall Lake Trail (#1818). I’m sure some of our group would have been just as happy to do this, but others of…