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!
view of blue lake

Happy Hiking: Little Blue Lake

  • Little Blue Lake
  • Distance:  6.2 miles (but we hiked closer to 8)
  • Type: Moderate, out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,411 ft
  • Other: Dogs Allowed
  • AllTrails Link

After thoroughly enjoying my hike to Lake Isabelle last week despite parking challenges and a failed off trail excursion, I returned to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.  This time, with my friend Colin and my National Parks card in hand.

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!

Roadtrip to the Rockies: Lake Katherine

Sometimes in my blog posts I flip flop between stories and information.  I find when I google something, I am usually looking for an answer to a question, thus I try to write informatively.  Other times, however, the experience was just too good to pass up.  Our hike to Lake Katherine was just that.  We laughed so hard, we were likely a nuisance to anyone seeking solitude.  Soooo sorry to you folks!

A FUNNY ADVENTURE!

Roadtrip to the Rockies: Thunderhead Trail

  • Thunderhead Trail
  • Distance:  3.3 miles (longer on map provided by the ski mountain)
  • Type: Moderate, Point to Point
  • Elevation Gain: 1,322 ft
  • Other: Toilets Available, Dogs Allowed, Parking Fee, Gondola Fee (uphill only)
  • All Trails Link

Thunderhead Trail is the most popular hiking route on Mount Werner, the ski mountain in Steamboat Springs.  The point to point trail travels 3.3 miles from the base of the mountain to the summit. 

GO HIKING!
inside mad creek barn

Roadtrip to the Rockies: Mad Creek Trail

  • Mad Creek Trail
  • Distance:  8.8 miles RT
  • Type: Moderate, Out-and-Back
  • Elevation Gain: 1,322 ft
  • Other: Toilets Available, Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

Mad Creek Trailhead is located about 15 minutes northwest of downtown Steamboat Springs in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area.  It is a very good trail for visitors from lower elevation as it only gains 1,322 feet over 4.4 miles which makes for a gradual grade.

HAPPY HIKING!
view from uranium mine trail

Roadtrip to the Rockies: Uranium Mine Trail

  • Uranium Mine Trail
  • Distance: 3.1 Miles RT
  • Type: Moderate, Out-and-Back
  • Elevation Gain: 593 ft
  • Other: $5 Parking Fee, Toilets Available, Dogs Allowed
  • All Trails Link

For our first afternoon in Steamboat Springs, we selected a short, moderate hike in order to acclimate to the altitude as my visiting friends came from sea level.  The Uranium Mine Trail begins just down the road from the upper parking area for Fish Creek Falls.

GO HIKING!

Top Things to Do in Steamboat Springs

About Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs, also known as Steamboat or the “boat”, is located in Routt County, Colorado and has a population of approximately 13,000.  The town came by its name during early times when trappers heard a chugging noise and thought a steamboat was coming down the river.  Upon discovering the sound came from the surrounding natural hot springs, they named the settlement Steamboat Springs.

Today, the small, mountain town is popular tourist destination for both winter and summer activities.  While I have visited Steamboat in the summer, winter and fall, this post focuses on things to do during the warmer months.

EXPLORE!