The most popular trails are the crags trail, pikes peak and st. Diving into the forest offers the best powdery snowshoeing. With a little bit of preparation, and no matter what your skill level, many exciting activities await. Take care, however, as the climb is steep and can be quite slippery. National and state parks are loaded with scenic trails, as are many ski resorts. The waldrop and cmc trails are made specifically with snowshoeing in mind and present a longer, more adventurous way to reach the brainard lake. We suspect enforcement was minimal after waypoint 02. In the summer, you can rent a boat, bring your own or simply enjoy the gentle lapping of the waves from the sandy shore.
It was designed by jim groh, based on gps research provided by steve priem, over the 20092010 timeframe. Whether you want to set off on an easy, familyfriendly snowshoe in rocky mountain national park or prefer to blaze your own trails in the rugged terrain of. Rocky mountain national park is the other side of the rocky mountains in winter away from the traffic and big resort skiing crowds along the i70 corridor. Complete snowshoeing information for steamboat springs, colorado with maps, photos, trail descriptions, guides and outfitters, and more. The trail is just over a half mile and runs near the base of hallett peak and flattop mountain.
Take a tranquil loop around a pristine mountain meadow. We offer a variety of trips that fit a range of fitness and experience levels. Mar 23, 2020 9 snowshoe trails with the best views to fill up your instagram. Colorado snowshoe trails todays post will provide a brief overview of some of the best snowshoeing trails in the state of colorado.
The hike to lost lake is a fun outing for any level skier or snowshoer who wants to appreciate the beauty of colorado. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Brainard lake recreation area is located just west of ward, colorado. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including rainbow trout and splake here. Keep reading to learn more about the best trails for winter hiking and snowshoeing in colorado. Youll come to the fork where youll go to the left for chinns lake to the right is fall river reservoir. Its also the perfect way to keep hiking throughout the winter months. In winter, long sections of the 22mile minnehaha creek freezes, running from lake minnetonka to minnehaha falls. Aug 12, 2012 youll come to the fork where youll go to the left for chinns laketo the right is fall river reservoir. This was our first hike together in colorado and it was such a great hike. Snowshoes are a great way to get outside and enjoy winter. Grand lake connects with shadow mountain lake via a canal, and just down the road is lake granby, the second largest body of water in colorado. Grand county, colorado offers epic terrain for recreation, including snowshoeing.
Claire walter, the boulderbased author of two snowshoeing books snowshoeing colorado and the snow experience said snowshoeing is just about the easiest of all sports. Denver resident and ownerfounder of snowshoe magazine, ryan alford, told us that colorado s dude ranches have given him some of his favorite colorado snowshoeing experiences. Read on for the 10 best places to go snowshoeing in the centennial state. Finally, if you dont mind driving just a bit farther, the snowshoeing off of berthoud pass is a feast for the senses on both the east and west sides.
Lost lake is popular because of how close it is to denver and boulder, the area has numerous trails. Colorado snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing nomad colorado. Colorado parks and wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Silver dollar lake snowshoe trail is rated as moderate by clear creek county and more difficult by the national forest service. The front range features some of colorados most spectacular snowshoe trails. Snowshoe long lake, brainard lake road the outbound. Youll come to the fork where youll go to the left for chinns laketo the right is fall river reservoir. Top 10 snowshoe adventures for couples snowshoe magazine. About the author awardwinning author claire walter has written books about skiing, snowshoeing and colorados vibrant culinary scene for fulcrum.
Rocky mountain national park at the edge of rocky mountain national park, grand lake is the deepest natural lake in colorado, dipping to 265 feet. If you cant find it, just follow the road this short bit to the lake. Snowshoeing in colorado rocky mountain national park. Oct 10, 2011 he wrote three editions of snowshoeing before his 1993 death. Beautiful forested trail continues and youll quickly get to the lake. Get the inside scoop on equipment, clothing, technique, and winter safety issues as well as snowshoeing events, races, and even snowshoe fitness programs. Did a dayhikesnowshoe this past monday up to chinns lake with the cmc colorado mountain club that i just joined. Brainard lake snowshoe trail hiking trail, nederland, colorado. A beginners guide to snowshoeing in northern colorado. From the lake, you are looking up at the continental divide, which hosts some great hikes in the summer, and some popular backcountry ski lines in the winter. Snowshoeing is worth rereading every october or november as a refresher course in how to prepare for and enjoy a season of snowshoeing. Fed by high mountain runoff, the lake is clear and pristine. Snowshoeing is just a hike on snow using shoes that look like clown feet, if clowns lived mad maxs version of the apocalypse. Chinns lake is a fun and easy trail with great camping on the water, hiking and fishing all within an hour or so drive of denver, colorado.
Marys glacier or detour just before the trailhead to visit chinns lake. Im still a year away from attempting any winter camping, and this 8mile hike to the lake at 1. As long as there is good snow coverage, you can snowshoe almost anywhere. Shannon dizmang snowshoeing is affordable, fun, and a great workout too. Heart lake, accessed from moffat tunnels east portal, is a gorgeous. Nov 01, 2004 get the inside scoop on equipment, clothing, technique, and winter safety issues as well as snowshoeing events, races, and even snowshoe fitness programs. Creek reservoirthat interrupt the landscape all the more arresting. Put one snowshoe in front of the other the denver post. Brainard lake recreation area is one of colorados best natural winter playgrounds. The colorado mountain club assumes no liability for the safety of persons using this map. Exit long lake loop back on to brainard lake road currently under construction for 2 miles to return to parking lot. From the majestic indian peaks and james peak wilderness just north of boulder, to the iconic mountains of rocky mountain national park, snowshoeing in the front range is a whole new way to see some of colorados best trails. Taken with my garmin fenix 2 the total roundtrip should be closer to.
Whether youre baitcasting, spinning or fly fishing your chances of getting a bite here are good. Snowshoes offer a meditative alternative to other winter sports. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The total roundtrip should be closer to 6 miles i took a couple of detours. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of colorados wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. If you are new to snowshoeing, be sure to check out previous snowshoe blog posts before you set out on your snowshoeing journey. Recommend you park and unload at start of chinns lake road. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Hug the left south edge of the campground and youll soon find the trail again as it heads to brainard lake. This is where youll be climbing the entire elevation 791 feet. The indian peaks wilderness, set an hour west of boulder, is a gorgeous landscape comprising of lakes, waterways, mountains, valleys, and a plethora of wildlife including moose, elk. Hessie to lost lake hiking trail, nederland, colorado. The ultimate guide to snowshoeing in grand county, colorado. Top 7 snowshoeing trails in colorado where to go snowshoeing in colorado snowshoeing is a fantastic way to stay active during the winter, and theres no shortage of amazing trails here in colorado.
We hiked yesterday and it was a little icy in some spots but manageable with just hiking shoes. Either way, youll need basic snowshoeing skills and good physical fitness to navigate the terrain, which rises 700 feet over the course of. Back on trail, youll get to an intersection where kings lake trail and lost lake trail split. Snowshoeing at silver dollar lake in colorado getaway usa. Linda duval is a freelance travel writer in colorado springs. A long but extremely scenic hike tucked in colorados indian peaks wilderness. Indian peaks snowshoeing colorado wilderness rides and. Well leave camp each day and embark on a series of day hikes that hit the highlights of rocky mountain national park. Learn trails, ranches, ski resorts near grand lake, fraser. Or, if youre seeking a more challenging backcountry adventure, explore a shady canyon or embark on a heart pounding trek up a snow shrouded peak to witness spectacular winter views. What do miles of groomed trails for snowshoeing, fresh fine dining, luxury accommodations and majestic views have in common.
The chinns lake trail takes you up to chinns lake and sherman lake. Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority. Best snowshoeing trails near grand lake, colorado alltrails. Our colorado backpacking trips take you high to alpine basins, mountain lakes, craggy peaks, glaciers, forests and the wildflowerfilled meadows of rocky mountain national park. Snowshoeing is just a hike on snow using shoes that look like clown feet, if. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of colorado s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. From the easier trails at brainard lake to the steep uphills of moffatt tunnel and east portal, snowshoeing in the indian peaks wilderness has something for everybody. Its a good place for newbies to use the trail or venture off into the powder and get used to the feel of wearing and walking around with these large contraptions on their feet. First time snowshoers will find vallecito creek trail is an excellent place for their first snowshoeing experience. Two more editions followed, including the latest edition from 2002, the one felkley edited here. Did a dayhike snowshoe this past monday up to chinns lake with the cmc colorado mountain club that i just joined.
What you should know about where to go, where to get your gear and how to stay safe out there. Colorados crowded summer trails transform into stretches of pristine wilderness. Indian peaks snowshoeing colorado wilderness rides and guides. Rugged pine trees filter the low sunlight onto glimmering patches of pristine powder. This local book club doesnt involve reading the story behind 3. Chinns lake is one of my favorite campsites, and its also 2 lakes despite the name. Awardwinning trail guide to colorados hottest winter sport revised. About an hours drive from boulder, the namesake lake sits at 10,000 ft. Our rocky mountain national park basecamp tour is an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and famous colorado rockies from the comfort of a scenic, private campground. Colorado snowshoeing snowshoe trails and rentals in co. We saw atvs parked at fall river reservoir, but were not sure if they were legal, since 275.
Techniques and routes in the western alps cicerone winter and ski mountaineering 01 by sharp, hilary isbn. Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife. Rocky mountain national park is in many ways the heart of the colorado rockies. When it is frozen, the hike between lake nokomis flowing adjacent to the minnehaha parkway all the way to lake harriet makes for a gorgeous urban snowshoe hike. Best winter hikes and snowshoes in colorado the mountainear. Colorado is famous for its deep and fluffy snow, and with great conditions december through march, its the perfect place to explore the snowy trails. Experienced skiers are drawn to the expert runs comprising nearly half of the terrain and the 1,000 acres of skiable backcountry areas. From the worldfamous icehotel to a luxury resort and spa in the heart of the mountains, these destinations have set the mood for romance, sport and relaxation. Snowshoeing vallecito creek trail, the weminuche wilderness. Feel free to take a break, eat a trail snack and enjoy the view. The answer is our top 10 snowshoe adventures for couples.
He wrote three editions of snowshoeing before his 1993 death. A log of locations, tips and directions to camping and outdoor adventures in colorado. A long but extremely scenic hike tucked in colorado s indian peaks wilderness. The shorter devils thumb bypass turns right north in 0. For a breathtaking jaunt in more ways than one, hanging lake trail near glenwood springs climbs 1,000 feet for a good cardio workout, while the lake, falls and general beauty of the route will take your breath away. The road gets progressively rougherstill rated a blue at this pointbut its a strong blue. Ski areas near chinns lake, clear creek county, colorado.
Snowshoeing information for steamboat springs, colorado. On the east, take the old berthoud ski area road to colorado mines. Pretty slow going with a broken leaf in each pack but made easier by the fact the trail has been graded. Three snowshoeing books to get you started snowshoe magazine. Snowshoeing is easy to learn, fun for everyone, and can be a great high energy cardio workout. Several commercial centers and a multitude of backcountry sites give skiers and snowshoers plenty of options to choose from. Im still a year away from attempting any winter camping, and this 8. Whether you want to set off on an easy, familyfriendly snowshoe in rocky mountain national park or prefer to blaze your own trails in the rugged. Rentals are available in town at the estes park mountain shop on hwy 34 at the entrance to estes park, or at the warming house. Winter park, colorado, 6 miles away 3060 foot drop, 26 lifts, 145 runs eldora, colorado, 10 miles away 1600 foot drop, 12 lifts, 53 runs arapahoe basin, colorado, 15 miles away 2270 foot drop, 7 lifts, 105 runs.