Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Where to Hike
The Colorado Trail
The state's signature trail, also known as USFS Trail 1776, starts at Chatfield Reservoir
near Denver before winding 500 miles to Durango through eight mountain ranges, seven
national forests, six wilderness areas and five river systems. The Colorado Trail Founda-
tion (
www.coloradotrail.org
) offers maps and topics that describe the trail in detail.
Boulder
Boulder, a visionary small city, is surrounded by parkland paid for by a self-assessed tax
that has been used to purchase vast swaths of city- and county-owned open space, includ-
ing Chautauqua Park, which is precisely where you'll find the best hiking in the area. In
the mountains above the city, past the town of Nederland (only a 30-minute drive west of
downtown) is the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, where you'll find miles of hiking trails
and backcountry campsites. The hike up to 12,000ft Arapaho Pass, accessed from the
Fourth of July campground, is an especially nice day hike.
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of the top draws in all of Colorado,
Rocky Mountain National Park
( 970 586 1242;
www.nps.gov/romo
)
is intersected by the Continental Divide, and offers some of the best wild-
life viewing in the state. Its excellent hiking trails cross alpine meadows, skirt lakes and
bring travelers into the wild and deeply beautiful backcountry. Just know that in the peak
season (July and August) you will have to make reservations for backcountry campsites.
This is especially true if you plan on climbing Longs Peak and staying overnight on the
mountain.
Central Mountains
Breckenridge, Vail and Aspen are all tremendous resort areas with more hiking trails than
can be explored in an entire season. Most ski areas have a summer lift to a ski lodge with
trail access. Views can be excellent, particularly in Vail and Snowmass, and the groomed
