Hiking Headlamps Denver CO

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 20 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8346 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11747 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: The High Lonesome Trail is a part of the Continental Divide Trail, although it does not stay on the divide through the Indian Peaks Wilderness. From the Monarch Lake Trailhead follow the Arapaho Creek Trail, around the south side of Monarch Lake. The High Lonesome Trail splits off to the right (west), about a half-mile after you enter the Wilderness Area and begins to climb steeply up onto Strawberry Bench. Above Strawberry Bench, the High Lonesome Trail climbs somewhat more gradually, heading south toward Meadow Creek Reservoir and the Junco Lake Trailhead. Follow the High Lonesome Trail as it skirts around the west side of a wet meadow on the west side of Junco Lake and continues south to Devil’s Thumb Park. In Devil’s Thumb Park, the High Lonesome Trail turns eastward, climbing rather steeply up to Devil’s Thumb Pass. From Devil’s Thumb Pass to Corona Trailhead, the High Lonesome Trail has a fairly level profile, as it parallels the Continental Divide. When the snow falls, the High Lonesome Trail becomes the domain of snowshoers.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 2.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 7800 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Usage: Heavy

Description: This is a heavily used trail, especially by motorcycles. It winds in and out of cool pine forests and offers scenic vistas of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and Gold Camp Road. Camping is permitted at undeveloped sites along the trail. Camping is permitted if more than 300 feet away from any trail or stream. Use no-impact camping techniques. Campfire permits are not required but please be sure your fire is dead out before you leave.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10600 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11300 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The first mile of the Resthouse Meadow Trail climbs gradually through the trees then it seems to level out for about three miles. Once you cross Vance Creek, it begins to climb slowly once again. The forest opens up to a meadow where 700 acres of forest burned in the 1968 Lincoln Lake Fire. Elk graze in this newly developed meadow. The last mile drops steeply and may be a little rocky. The Resthouse Meadow Trail is a spectacular snowshoe adventure in winter.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing, Fishing, Photography

Info:
Location: Near Denver
Setting: Mountainous
Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 3 mile roundtrip
Elevation Change: 1,000 feet
Trailhead Elevation: 11,200 feet

Description: This is not a long hike, yet the air, being thinner at a higher altitude may cause you to take longer if you are unaccustomed to it. There is occasional steepness on the trail that will make the hike challenging but the view makes it more than worthwhile to do the hike. The trail will lead to two small lakes that are well above the treeline. The first lake, Naylor Lake, is privately owned and you are not permitted to trespass on the property. Please respect the owners wishes, and look but don’t wander onto the property. Naylor Lake, which is private property is the first of the two lakesThe second lake is actually Silver Dollar Lake and is public property, available for your use. The trail takes you well above the trees and photography opportunities for below as well as views of wildlife are more than worth the time in making the hike.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Length: One-Way: 1.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 0 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Easy

Description: Explore Medano Creek, flowing at the base of the dunes. During dry years, the creek disappears. In years of adequate snow and rainfall, the creek flows in April, May and June. Observe the creek closely. Do you see anything unusual Medano Creek exhibits a phenomenon called “surge flow.” Each time a surge occurs, a mound of sand (which had temporarily damned some of the water in the creek bed), collapses. If you’d like more information on surge flow, ask for a handout at the Visitor Center. Watch for animal tracks and signs of insect life in the damp sand there are 6 species of insects living in the dunes which are found nowhere else on earth!