Starting from Red Mountain Pass on the Million Dollar Highway, the Red Mountain Number 3 Trail is one hike that should not be missed! I was so happy to be able to meet up with a longtime friend while she was living in Silverton for the season, and we knocked this hike out in September when the weather was absolutely beautiful and refreshing.
Have you hiked a 14er? A 14er is a mountain peak rising 14,000 feet above sea level. There are 58 fourteeneers in Colorado and at 14,439 ft. Mt. Elbert is Colorado’s tallest. If you’re up for a challenging yet rewarding hike, Mt. Elbert is the perfect choice. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essentials for a successful ascent.
After completing the Colorado Trail, I explored the Great Sand Dunes, home to North America’s tallest sand dune at 750 feet. Despite a short visit, I plan to return for sunrise. Nearby Zapata Falls Campground offers convenient camping. The park offers activities like sandboarding, hiking, and stargazing, best enjoyed in spring or fall. Remember water, sunscreen, and proper attire.
The Blue Lakes Trail in Ridgway, CO offers a moderately challenging 8.7-mile round-trip hike with 3 alpine lakes: Lower, Middle, and Upper. Despite some stream crossings, the non-technical trail is well-maintained. The mid-September hike, featuring moody weather and transitioning wildflowers, offered a serene experience. Despite unideal weather, the stunning lakes made for a memorable day hike.
To be completely honest, this national park was not on my radar as I made my way to Colorado to thru hike the CT this summer, but when I drove by a sign for Black Canyon of the Gunnison I knew I had to make a quick stop- just to check it out!
I begin my thru-hike mid-July going Southbound to Durango. Here is everything I am packing for my Colorado Trail thru-hike.
“Some of the best memories cannot always be captured; so long as there is that memory in your mind, it’ll forever be a memory in your heart.”
Over Labor Day weekend, three friends and I took a road trip to Colorado for an extended weekend of backpacking to some of the most amazing alpine lakes in the San Juan mountains!
