Trails in Colorado
How to use the list – The trips are listed in order of date of the hike; most recent first (so, very different from the date they were actually posted). For each entry (which may wrap due to the length) the first line, in bold, is the title. The second line starts off with “Blog Entry” which if you click on will take you to the original description of the trip. The next word is “Gallery of Photos” which is a link to the full gallery of high quality and large photos for that trip at my Smugmug (actual link : ) site. Next, on older posts, is “Google Map” which is a link to the trip located in Google Earth (you may need to adjust the “scale” bar on the left in the map). The final link, on older posts, is “Topo Map” which is a link to a topo map of the area for the trip (it will open up as “large”; click on it to make it larger). All links should open in a new browser window.
East Inlet trail with Conor, RMNP, October 9, 2012
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos
Longs Peak, CO, September 15, 2012
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos
Josie at Michigan Lakes, Aug 4, 2012
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos
Baker Gulch, RMNP, Sept.18, 2011
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Encampment River, August 28, 2011
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
7 Lakes Trail, Zirkel Wilderness, CO, June 26, 2011
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
East Inlet Trail, RMNP, June 13, 2011
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Red Mountain Open Space, CO, June 5, 2011
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Open Space web site
Lumpy Ridge Loop Trail, RMNP, May 28, 2011
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Forest Canyon, Trail Ridge RMNP, Sept 18, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Buffalo Pass with Will, August 15, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Baker Pass, Never Summer Wilderness, CO, July 31,2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge Loop Trail, RMNP, July 18, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, RMNP Map
Michigan Lakes, Colorado State Forest, July 4, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
McIntyre Trail, Rawahs, CO, June 26, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Poudre Pass, RMNP, CO June 19, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Trail to Katherine Lake, June 5, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Hiking Lumpy Ridge with Will, RMNP, May 30, 2010
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Beyond Bridal Veil Falls, RMNP, Sept 26, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
40 Mile Bear Lake to Grand Lake Loop, RMNP, CO, Sept 7, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Crater Lake Trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness, August 29, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Rainbow Lakes, Zirkel Wilderness, Aug 15, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Ellis and West Fork Loop with Will, Zirkel Wilderness, CO, August 2, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Ellis Trail, Zirkel Mountains, CO, July 3, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Grizzly Helena Trail No. 1126 (north end), CO, June 27, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
East Inlet Trail, RMNP, CO, June 14, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Lulu City Loop Trail, RMNP, CO, June 7, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Lumpy Ridge Loop Trail, RMNP, CO, May 31, 2009
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Moraine Park and Cub Lake Trail, RMNP, CO, November 1, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Mill Creek Trail, RMNP, CO, October 18, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
North Inlet Trail, RMNP, CO, September 20, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Long Meadows, RMNP, September 9, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Lake Haiyaha, RMNP, September 8, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Corral Creek, CO, August 23, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Trap Park Trail, CO and the Moose, July 13, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Blue Lake Trail, Rawah Wilderness, CO June 28, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Lumpy Ridge Loop to Gem Lake, Rocky Mountain NP, CO June 14, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Greyrock Trail, Poudre Canyon, CO May 11, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Eagles Nest Open Space, CO April 19, 2008
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Forester Creek, Zirkel Wilderness, CO September 15, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Prong Creek Trail, Elkhorn Mts., CO September 1, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Round Mtn. Lake Trail, Zirkel Wilderness, CO August 19, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
7 Lakes with Conor, Zirkel Wilderness, CO August 3, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Ute Pass, with Conor and the bears, Zirkel Wilderness, CO August 2, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map (In the topo map, the 1126 trail takes off on the north side of the road about 1 mile before getting to the Lake Katherine trailhead.)
Lawn Lake Trail, RMNP, CO, with Conor on July 31, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Comanche Peak Wilderness, CO, with Conor, July 29, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Beaver Creek Trail, Zirkel Wilderness, CO, July 14, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
West Fork Trail and the Elk, Zirkel Wilderness, CO June 23, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Big Creek Lake, Routt National Forest, CO June 9, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Molly Lake Trail, Red Feather Lakes, CO April 29, 2007
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Eagle’s Nest Open Space trail, CO, November 19, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Lawn Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Oct. 1, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Clear Lake Trail, Colorado State Forest, September 24, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Rawahs Upper Forrester Creek, CO July 29, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Comanche Peak Wilderness, CO July 2, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
North Platte River, CO – April 23, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
North Platte River, CO – April 8, 2006
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Lake Katherine Trail, Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area, CO on July 8 2005
– Blog Entry, Gallery of Photos, Google Map, Topo Map
Paths Trails and Beyond 
I really enjoyed your website. Particularly the photos on the Lake Katherine Trail. I own the North Fork Ranch at the bottom of Sheep Mountain next to Lone Pine Ranch. My ranch is the one where you took the photo of the hawk on the fence.
I live in Tennessee during the winter and am usually at my ranch from April 1 through mid November.
Thank you very much for this spectacular web site!!
Charlie Tombras
Thanks for the comment.
Have to say that area is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen (of course, that was in the summertime : )
I could probably spend a whole summer just checking out that part of the Zirkels. I will probably be there again this summer. My mom and sister live in Walden, so I’ve got a great excuse to visit : )
Anyway, you have a great place to spend the summer and fall. The views of the ranches and hay fields in the summer made the travel time to the trailhead very worthwhile.
Thanks,
Geoff Weatherford
Great site, thanks. I have posted photos of my hikes in and near Rocky Mountain National Park.
I have been told the American White Pelican nest in the North Park Area. Your personal and interesting site leads me to believe you might know if this is true and more exactly where they might be viewed. Thanks, Geri
John Hunter,
Great web site. Along with a lot of nice travel photos. I’m going to have to spend a little time checking it out.
Thanks,
Geoff Weatherford
Geri,
I believe that I have seen pelicans in North Park area, but I wasn’t sure if they are the “American White Pelican” species. There are quite a few reservoirs and lakes in North Park (around the town of Walden, CO). In addition, the Arapaho Wildlife Refuge is right outside of the town of Walden (a lot of waterfowl nesting and travel happens in the refuge).
So, I checked the Arapaho NWR web site at http://www.fws.gov/arapaho/ and clicked on the “Bird List” link at the upper left corner of the page. They do indeed have the American White Pelican : )
In addition, there is a link that you can use to contact them for more info.
I REALLY like Walden, CO. Nice (very) small town that is a great place to visit, nice people, and an awesome surrounding region of the North Park, the mountains, and the rivers. Oh, and the American White Pelicans.
Thanks,
Geoff Weatherford
Loved your descriptions and photographs. It helped me make up my mind where to hike. Thanks!
Kate,
Glad to be of service : )
Lots of good hiking in the area (it can even be better in the Fall). So, hard to go too wrong.
Thanks for looking.
– Geoff Weatherford
I read your blog about the Big Creek Lakes area. I was wondering how many miles it is from Big Creek Lake to 7-Lakes. We are thinking about camping at Big Creek Lake, and maybe backpack up to and camp at 7 lakes. Also, how long did it take to make the hike?
Did you see any elk along the way?
Thanks for the help
Scott,
I think it was roughly a 6 mile hike from Big Creek lake to Seven Lakes. That was one way, of course. I’d say it took us around 4 hours to make the hike (again, one way). That was with light day hiking packs. But, we weren’t in any hurry either.
Although we did not see any elk, we did see lots of fresh elk sign. So, they were up there.
There is one longish section that has a bunch of switchbacks where you gain most of your altitude for the entire hike. But the majority of the hike is relatively level to slow gains in altitude.
Hope you have fun. Thanks for stopping by.
Geoff Weatherford
Thanks for the reply. If there aren’t already a bunch of people in the area, we might try to backpack up to 7 lakes during the muzzleloading portion of elk season. Might be a tough hike with 50-60lb. packs though. That would be a fairy-tale hunt, hunt elk during the morning and fish on top of the world in the evening.