Happy Hiking: Winter Park

After three days in Grand Lake with Tina, I met my next guests in Winter Park, an hour away.  Dom and Gary had much farther to drive…from Texas.  Actually, they spent a few days in Vail first, so their drive wasn’t too long either. 

Corona Pass Road

We met up Friday night at my friend’s Beaver Village condo and prepared for a weekend of hikes.  The trailheads to all the hikes we took this weekend are located in Arapaho National Forest on Corona Pass Road.  While the road is just a few minutes down Hwy 40 from Winter Park, getting to the trailheads are somewhat tedious.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Watanga Lake

  • Watanga Lake
  • Distance:  7.9 miles
  • Type: Hard, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 2,522 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

Watanga Lake is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness of Arapaho National Forest.  It is named for a Southern Arapaho Chief who lived in the late 1800’s.

I tried hiking to Watanga Lake a year ago in June and there was too much snow to even get to the trail junction.  This year, I waited until late July and hiked the Roaring Fork Trail to the lake with my friend Tina.  This was our third and final hike while visiting Grand Lake.

HAPPY HIKING!
Tina and I at Bowen lake

Happy Hiking: Bowen Lake

  • Bowen Lake
  • Distance:  9.3 miles
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,906 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed
  • AllTrails Link

How to Get to Bowen Lake

Bowen Lake may be reached from two different trailheads.  One trailhead is located in Rocky Mountain National Park and the hike is 16.2 miles.  The other trailhead is located in Arapaho National Forest off of County Highway 455.  The distance from this location to the lake is a more reasonable 9.3 miles.

HAPPY HIKING!
tina on mount ida

Roadtrip to the Rockies: Mount Ida

  • Mount Ida
  • Distance:  9.6 miles
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 2.388 ft
  • Other: Fee Required, No Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

Where to Stay

While I generally travel a lot, in the summer I stick to Colorado for the amazing hiking.  As a result, I planned a few days of hiking near Grand Lake and in Rocky Mountain National Park with my friend Tina who drove in from New Mexico. Miraculously, we secured a cabin last minute at the historic Grand Lake Lodge which was perfect.

HAPPY HIKING!
inside mad creek barn

Eight Great Hikes in Steamboat Springs

Having been to Steamboat Springs a handful of times over the last several years, I have accumulated a list of hikes from easy to moderate that are great for most visitors.  The hikes range from 0.5 miles to 8+ miles and the majority are easily accessible.

The trails are listed below:

FIND OUT MORE!
view from summit of Pennsylvania Mountain

Happy Hiking: Pennsylvania Mountain

  • Pennsylvania Mountain
  • Distance:  4.7 miles
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,341 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

Pennsylvania Mountain is a 13,000 foot mountain located near Fairplay, Colorado.  Access to the trail head is via a well graded dirt road. When I arrived early on a Saturday morning, I was the first car in the cul-de-sac parking area.

HAPPY HIKING!
wildflowers on shrine ridge trail

Happy Hiking: Shrine Ridge Trail

  • Shrine Ridge Trail
  • Distance:  4 miles (6.6 if adding on additional trail)
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 961 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed, Dirt Road to Trailhead
  • All Trails Link

Shrine Ridge Trail is located off Shrine Pass Road in the White River National Forest near Vail, Colorado.  Though dirt, Shrine Pass Road from I-70 is easily navigable to the dirt parking lot complete with pit toilets.  Tanya and I arrived just before 8am on a Thursday and there were only a few other cars.

HAPPY HIKING!
old engine at Fredonia mine

Happy Hiking: Fredonia Gulch Trail

  • Fredonia Gulch Trail
  • Distance:  4.5 miles
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,341 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

I have recently been on a kick to hike to lakes as I find the beauty of the lakes peaceful and the challenge rewarding.  Today, however, I changed up the scenery.  After a few days of longer hikes, I wanted something short.  With it being the weekend, I also looked for a trail less traveled.  While staying at our family cabin near Bailey, Colorado, I searched for nearby options on All Trails. 

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Hunt Lake

  • Hunt Lake Trail
  • Distance:  7 miles
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,945 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

Hunt Lake Trail is located in the San Isabel National Forest near Salida, Colorado.  As I mentioned in my previous post about Kroenke Lake, both Salida and Buena Vista are great towns to visit while exploring the surrounding wilderness area that feature some of Colorado’s famous 14ers.

HAPPY HIKING!
kroenke lake

Happy Hiking: Kroenke Lake Trail

  • Kroenke Lake Trail
  • Distance:  9.3 miles
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,673 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed, Rough Road to Trailhead
  • All Trails Link

Kroenke Lake lies in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and is just a short drive from Buena Vista.  Buena Vista and Salida are wonderful small towns to visit while exploring this amazing wilderness area chock full of Colorado’s famous 14ers. 

HI HO, HI HO, IT’s OFF TO THE LAKE I GO!