Where are some of the most scenic places to hike in Colorado during the summer?|140254

I_m interested in the mountainous area, where it is fairly isolated, and where there are occasional bodies of water, like lakes, rivers, and small streams, lying around. Just name me some of the most beautiful places with all those features!

I have lived in Colorado and hiked for 10 years. Here are my top 10 personal favorites:

#1. Glacier Gorge

In my opinion this is the most beautiful spot in Rocky Mountain National Park. Spectacular scenery, beautiful wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, and beautiful alpine lakes are what you will find here.

#2. Blue Lake - Indian Peaks Wilderness

A wonderful day hike up to Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. This short hike takes you up to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by stunning alpine peaks.

#3. Bergen Peak

A beautiful hike up to the summit of Bergen Peak (9,708 feet). Expect to see wildlife, wildflowers along the trail, and excellent views from atop the summit. This is an excellent hike and a must-do.

#4. Boulder County: Longs Peak

Located in north-central Colorado in the Front Range, about 70 miles northwest of Denver, and 10 miles southwest of Estes Park. The most famous Colorado climb, this alpine peak requires a long, strenuous hike.

#5. Canyon Loop Trail

If Grandma��s House were at trail��s end, this would be a fairy-tale ��through the woods�� experience. And nary a big bad wolf in sight�� The Canyon Loop Trail weaves through the expansive Betasso Preserve.

#6. Arapaho Pass Trail to Lake Dorothy

This is a fantastic day hike up to Lake Dorothy via the Arapaho Pass Trail, one of the best trails in the wilderness area for viewing wildflowers.

#7. Lake County: Mount Elbert

Located in central Colorado in the Sawatch Range, about 11 miles southwest of Leadville, and 4 miles northwest of Twin Lakes Reservoir. The highest point in Colorado, this Fourteener provides a popular hiking spot.

#8. Chasm Lake

Chasm Lake lies nestled in a rocky alpine cirque below the towering summits of Longs Peak (14,255 feet) and Mount Meeker (13,911 feet), the two highest summits in Rocky Mountain National Park.

#9. Bear Peak

A strenuous but great hike up the summit of Bear Peak (8,461feet), one of Boulder��s most visible landmarks. The Bear Peak Trail follows Bear Creek up beautiful Bear Canyon, then makes a steep ascent.

#10. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Trails

Nothing but superlatives roll off the tongue when contemplating the Maroon Bells�CSnowmass Wilderness: the beautiful symmetry of the Maroon Bells, trails leading over nine passes above 12,000 feet.

There are dozens of beautiful trails where you don_t need to pay National Parks fees.

Jeffco Open Space has quite a few that fit your criteria, some that come to mind are White Ranch (especially upper White Ranch), Alderfer/Three Sisters, and Mathews/Winter

http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/openspace/


Head up I-70 to Clear Creek County for Chicago Lakes and Hell_s Hole trails up Mt. Evans, Herman Gulch, Beaverbrook Watershed and Loch Lomond /Mt Caroline.

There are some beautiful state parks that are fairly close: Castlewood Canyon, Roxborough, Eldorado Canyon, and Goldengate Canyon. They do have a daily charge, but a yearly park pass is worth the investment if you do a lot of hiking.

http://parks.state.co.us/

I agree with A. I. B. It really depends on how far you want to go, and what you are looking for. There are great nature hikes all over, from Pikes Peak to the Colo./Wyo. border. You could go to the national parks, or you could do some town hopping in Estes, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo. All offer something for the eye, and a _bit more. I can remember walking along the Cache La Poudre river and picking wild berries and wild asparagus, etc. Watch out for the mushroom_s, tho_, _cause wild amanita_s grow there also.

Rocky Mountain National Park is the best place in terms of finding a lot of trails and great scenery.


http://www.nps.gov/romo


Otherwise there are great hikes all over the place depending on where in Colorado you start from.

I_d say Garden of the Gods. I remember going there when I was little. It was fun.