It's kind of crazy how many hikes there are in Colorado. I've been trying to do a new hike every weekend and even though I've lived in Colorado most of my life, I still find new ones all the time. In the last month, some friends and I have found some really fun ones. I've definitely found a handful of hikes lately that have become my new favorites! Here they are below!
Gill Trail, difficult (9.8 miles). At first I wondered why this hike was rated as hard. Then we got a few miles in. The dirt and rock is super crumbly and slippery. However, it is definitely doable. I would recommend poles and just take your time. Located in Pike National Forest, the trail runs along the South Platte River and is stunning! There are huge boulders along the creek too that are fun to climb on. If it's warm enough out, you can take a dip in the river or have a picnic. We found a cool spot before you turn off towards the Cheeseman Reservoir where the rocks formed a cave and ate snacks. You can also access this trail from the Cheeseman Reservoir side, but really enjoyed the trail along the river. There are ton a people fishing which is fun to watch and the views make this hike one of the best ones in the area. The parking lot fills up quick on the weekends, so get there early. If you go off the trail down towards the water, there are a few great spots to scramble and climb a bit. Bring your bathing suit or fishing pole and don't miss this one!
Bergen Peak via Meadow View (loop), difficult (11 miles). This trail wasn't necessary that hard, but just long and has 2,000 feet of elevation gain. I always prefer a loop though over an out and back, so even though the loop adds a mile I prefer this route. Bergen Peak is the highest peak in Evergreen, and a short distance from Denver. It has beautiful views at the top and you can see multiple mountain ranges. The actual top is underwhelming, but there is a fun spot just before that is super rocky that has all the views. Bring some gummy worms and take a seat to rest at these rocks, it's gorgeous. Some say it's a good trail to train for 14ers, and I like it for trail running. Bring spikes if the reviews say there's still snow because it can be steep in some areas. I also enjoyed this one because there is tree cover for those scorchers.
Palisade Mountain, moderate (3 miles).
AllTrails.com says this hike is 2.3 miles, but it was a little over 3. It is quite the trek to drive out to this one, but if you have the whole day and have never seen the Big Thompson Canyon then I would make a day of it. You basically drive to Loveland, and then from there you still have 45 minutes or so. I've never seen the Big Thompson Canyon though and I was in awe! There are a lot of places to pull off the road to see the river in the canyon. We saw bighorn sheep! You wind around some residential areas and a narrow road to get to the trailhead, but it's a pretty drive and well worth it. The hike itself is short and sweet, but is challenging because you gain 1,000 feet. The very last part requires some scrambling, so don't bring anyone that can't handle it. My half dachshund made it though, so unless your a wimp you should make it (I did have to carry him down though). Once you get to the top, you have 360 degree views of Loveland and all the way to Estes Park.
Lakeshore Perimeter Trail, easy (5.4 miles)
This trail is located by the Frisco Adventure Park and golf courses. It's a solid loop that goes along the Dillon Reservoir for half of the trail. Use your AllTrails.com app because there are many trails around there, and it is easy to take the wrong one. You get to walk along the beach and have pretty views of Buffalo and Chief Mountain. I went when there was snow about waist deep in some areas, but I imagine in the summer months it's hot and you can dip your feet in the water. There's also lots of camping around here! And my favorite brewery, Outer Range, is a quick 5 minute drive that you can hit up before you head back home.
Crystal City Road #314, moderate (9 miles). I saved the best for last. Ok this hike, is actually a 4x4 road. Rumor has it that during the summer and fall months, it's a real bitch because you have to dodge Jeeps and ATVs. That would annoy me too, so I decided to do it in April. Unless you're a psycho like me, you might not enjoy that either. I had a blast though, and it was probably one of my best days hiking. I dropped the f bomb the whole day because I was postholing (my new trail name given to me because I forgot my snow shoes at Lake Isabelle) BUT it was worth every sinking step. I had poles and spikes, which helped a lot. The views were incredible, and I actually started at 2pm, so on the way back the lighting was magical. I would recommend starting early because it is a long slog. I saw two Jeeps get stuck in the snow in the first mile, but other than that I saw no one. So this time of year is (I think) I great time to go. I did hear a large animal though, but booked it before I could find out what it was. You do pass through an avalanche area, so please read about conditions before you go because it could be extremely dangerous with the steep slopes surrounding both sides of the road. Once you turn the corner and get to the Crystal Mill, you'll be giddy and won't be disappointed by the mill. After seeing it in countless dentist offices and calendars, it was cool to see it in person.
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