Mount Audubon is a serious thirteener and we can only recommend it for experienced hikers. The breathtaking views near the summit are worth the climb. However, between the high winds and rocky trail, be prepared for some uncomfortable conditions to get there.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a lovely place to visit if you’re looking for an easy or family-friendly hike. The scenery is varied and there are many options for trails to explore. The 8-mile Mountain Lion Loop and detour to Windy Peak is a good option if you want an introduction to the park.
Ypsilon Lake is the least trafficked lake in Rocky Mountain National Park that we have visited so far, and such a serene and beautiful location. Here, you can enjoy the solitude of an alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park without the crowds.
Ouzel Falls is a refreshing and popular Rocky Mountain National Park destination to hike to in the summer months. Although the powerful and beautiful Ouzel Falls is the trek destination, Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades are also great waterfalls to see along the way.
Lake Isabelle is a beautiful alpine lake all on its own, but if you’re a fan of wildflowers, the hike to and around the lake features an amazing variety of wildflowers in the summertime. The Jean Lunning Trail that skirts Long Lake on the way out in particular is a wildflower goldmine.
If you live in Colorado and want to spend some time by the beach, hiking up to Sandbeach Lake and relaxing by it’s crystal clear waters with Mt. Meeker in the background is a great option. The hike provides a good amount of exercise and you can enjoy the peaceful and interesting scenery.
Lake Isabelle is a stunning alpine lake, and any hike that includes it is bound to be amazing. Adding different views of the lake by hiking further on Isabelle Glacier Trail further enhances the experience. The wildflowers are amazing now, and should reach peak bloom in the next couple weeks.
If you are a fan of wildflowers, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the wildflower capital of Colorado, Crested Butte. In particular, the Snodgrass Mountain meadow and Brush Creek/East River Trail had the best displays of wildflowers at this time. You can see hills blanketed with a variety of wildflowers and rare flowers such as the Monument Plant in abundance.
At 6.3 miles with 1,849 ft elevation gain, of approximately 800 ft is in the last half mile to the summit, the hike to Estes Cone is somewhat challenging. However, the views of the Rocky Mountains, especially the Mummy Range, were beautiful and well worth the effort to trek and climb the rock scramble to the top.
It was late June and the weekend forecast was for rain and snow almost all over Colorado, but we wanted to go hiking. Our solution? A memorable road trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.
