LED Headlamps Denver CO

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 4.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11221 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Woodland Lake Trail from Hessie to Woodland and Skyscraper Reservoirs follows Jasper and Woodland Creeks through forest, riparian woodland and wet meadows and into alpine tundra. Steep stretches of trail are interspersed with more gently sloped terrain, leading the hiker to Woodland Lake, in a gentle valley and Skyscraper Reservoir, set in a cirque basin below the Continental Divide. The entire Woodland Lake Trail is inside the Indian Peaks Wilderness. If you choose to skip driving through the water and park on the Fourth of July Road, take the quarter mile long Columbine Trail which starts at the bottom of the first hill, just before the water. It is a recently constructed trail that bypasses the flooded part of the road and comes in at the Hessie Townsite. From the Townsite, the road continues rough and with large mud puddles another quarter mile to the Hessie Trailhead. There is very little parking at the trailhead itself. From the Trailhead, cross the footbridge and take the Devil’s Thumb Trail, which climbs steeply for about a half-mile on an old road. The Devil’s Thumb Bypass turns right (north) in 0.8 miles, just before the bridge. Either the Devil’s Thumb Trail or the Devil’s Thumb Bypass will get you to the same destination – the distance is a little longer by the Bypass. The bypass trail crosses open meadows to the north of the creek. The main trail follows an old road along the south side of the creek, staying right past junctions with the Lost Lake Trail and King Lake Trail. It is 1.1 miles from the trailhead to the Lost Lake Trail junction, which is right at the top of a hill. From there it is a flat 0.2 miles to the King Lake Trail junction. The Devil’s Thumb Trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness just beyond the King Lake Trail junction. It continues fairly level another 1.0 miles to the Woodland Lake Trail junction. In places, the creek has taken over the trail, so hikers have to follow social paths along the bank. Note that the Devil’s Thumb Bypass rejoins 200 yards beyond the Woodland Lake Trail, so if you take that route, you must turn left (east) to get to the Woodland Lake Trail. Turn left (west) on the Woodland Lake Trail. It begins by climbing fairly steeply along the creek. Then it levels out and the trail becomes more obviously an old road. Woodland Lake is reached in 2 miles. Continue up the headwall above Woodland Lake another half mile to Skyscraper Reservoir. During winter, the Woodland Lake Trail becomes the domain of snowshoers.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Denver
Length: Round Trip: 15.3 miles
Trail type: Loop
Best Season: April to November
Difficulty: 4C
Usage: Moderate

Description: Bike riders of all abilities can put their skills to the test at the Rampart Reservoir Shoreline Loop. Riders can ride terrain from sand to gravel to rocks and soft forest earth. The trail provides opportunities for fishing and picnicking. It is a local favorite and thus can get crowded on weekends. It’s best that mountain bikers ride the trail in a clockwise direction, so as not to come upon riders unexpectedly around the many tight and rocky curves.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 10 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8346 feet
Maximum Elevation: 12541 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Cascade Creek Trail follows the north side of Cascade Creek. The trail is rather level until near the intersection with the Southside Trail intersection, when it begins to gain somewhat more elevation. Expect increasing difficulty as you progress along the trail, especially around Cascade Falls and near the Crater Lake turnoff, where the trail crosses Pawnee Creek. The very steep climb to Pawnee Pass is difficult and the trail becomes obscured at some points, due to rock slides down the scree slope (watch your footing on loose rocks!). If you’re planning to climb Pawnee Pass, be sure to get an early start to avoid lightning and afternoon showers on the pass, which normally occur any time in the afternoon during July and August. The Pawnee Pass Trail continues east to Brainard Lake. During winter, the Cascade Creek Trail becomes the domain of snowshoers.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 1.6 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7900 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: This trail follows Buffalo Canyon Creek through mature aspen stands and mixed pine and spruce forests to St. Mary’s Falls. To ones right are the falls which cascade down a granite wall 250-300 feet. To ones left is a very nice view of Colorado Springs with the Broadmoor Hotel in the foreground. Trout may be seen in the creek. 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: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 13 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6720 feet
Maximum Elevation: 14110 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Usage: Light

Description: The Barr Trail, named after its builder, Fred Barr was constructed from 1914 to 1921. The trail passes through three ecological life zones, Montane, Spruce-fir and alpine. Wildlife species common to those zones are frequently observed. Pikes Peak has been a landmark since before recorded history. It was named for Zebulon Pike who described the Peak in 1806 while exploring in the area to the south. The first recorded climb to the summit was in 1820 by Dr. Edwin James of the Stephen H. Long Expedition. At present, over 60,000 visitors per year are estimated to climb the peak on the Barr Trail. The trail is rated more difficult because of its long sustained grade rising to an especially high elevation. Although an average hiker might complete the round trip in about 16 hours, those persons not used to Hiking, especially at these altitudes, should not attempt the round trip in one day. Because of the long sustained grade, even a one way downhill hike from the summit is very tiring to the legs and feet when not conditioned. Temperatures at the summit may be as much as 40 degrees cooler than at the bottom. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the summer and snow or sleet may be encountered throughout the year.