Handies Peak (14,058′), San Juan Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jun 25, 2024 | 14er's, Difficult Hikes, Rocky Mountains, San Juan Range, Trip Reports

Handies Peak (14,058′), San Juan Range

Handies Peak, which rises to 14,048 feet in elevation, is the highest point of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Among Colorado’s 14ers, Handies Peak is considered one of the more straightforward climbs, although getting to American Basin can be a challenge. It is highly recommended that a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle is used to get to the trailhead, as it is located along the Alpine Loop. The standard route, known as the Southwest Slopes, is a Class 1 hike. This means it’s a non-technical ascent on a well-defined trail with minimal exposure.

Trail Stats

Handies Peak

Trailhead: American Basin
Round trip: 6 miles (9.7 km)
Elevation: 11,600′- 14,058′ (3,535 m – 4,285 m)
County: Hinsdale
Wilderness Study Area: Handies Peak

Trail Pictures

Alpine Glow on American Basin

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Just below Sloan Lake

Sloan Lake thawing out in late June

Unnamed Lake in Grizzly Gulch

Mountain views forever in the San Juan Range

Summit view of American Basin

Amazing views in every direction from the summit

Views to the north from the summit

Looking back from the summit

The route up to the ridge, passing Sloan Lake

Grizzly Gulch from the summit

Unnamed peak at over 13,800′

View of Sloan Lake from the trail

View to the southwest

The San Juan mountains are spectacular.

Nearing the trailhead

A number of small water crossings along the trail

View of American Basin

GPX with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the trailhead, follow the well maintained trail ascending south and then southeast into the basin. The trail turns left and continues southeast to reach the base of a slope in the middle of the basin. Switchback a couple of hundred feet up the slope to see the east end of the basin. Handies is up to your left (northeast).

Turn right (south) and follow the trail up to Sloan Lake. Turn left at the Sloan Lake Junction and continue east onto a rocky area where much of the remaining route can now be seen. Trek northeast across a talus slope and switchback up the southwest slope to reach the 13,500-foot saddle between Handies Peak and Point 13,588′. Turn left and follow the trail up the ridge to the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Mt Flora (13,146′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Oct 7, 2023 | Difficult Hikes, Dog Friendly, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Mt Flora (13,146′), Front Range

Located within the James Peak Wilderness area, this hike offers a well established trail to the summit. The trailhead at Berthoud Pass also provides convenient access to the trailhead all year because the pass is plowed in winter. As you ascend, you’ll traverse a section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), which stretches from Mexico to Canada and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The final push to the summit greets you with a 360-degree vista encompassing the Indian Peaks, Winter Park, and the Fraser Valley.

Trail Stats

Mt Flora

Trailhead: Mt Flora @ Berthoud Pass
Round trip: 6.7 miles / 10.8 km
Elevation: 11,307′ – 13,146′ / 3,446m – 4,0007m
County: Grand
National Forest: Arapahoe

Trail Pictures

First light

Morning alpine glow

Early morning on the trail

Stanley Mountain in the distance

Blue Lake below

Fall colors view from Mt Flora

View of Brekinridge Peak from the summit of Mt Flora

Another view from the summit of Ethel Lake and Byron Lake in the distance

View from the summit of Ethel Lake and Byron Lake in the distance

View from the Continental Divide

View of My Eva (left) and Witter Peak

Summit view with Colorado Mines Peak on the left below

More views near the summit

View back of the Mt Flora trail

Blue Lake and Colorado Mines Peak from the trail

The CDT near Berthoud Pass

GPX with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Beginning at the Berthoud Pass Parking Lot, the trail begins just beyond the gate to the forest road at the south end of the parking lot. The road is the trail for the first 3/4-mile, where a junction appears on the left at a sharp curve.

Taking this foot-path for another 3/4-mile brings the trail to the ridge overlooking Blue Lake, and looking back right (south), nearly eye-level with Colorado Mines Peak.

Continuing along for approximately 1.5 miles, the trail tops Mt. Flora peak, a small but broad mesa-like rock crop. From here, Ethel Lake and Mill Creek stand out below in the valley. The Continental Divide Trail veers to the right from the summit to descend to Breckenridge Peak.

Trailhead Directions

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Star Dune (8,617′), Great Sand Dunes N.P.

by Mike Langenkamp | May 6, 2023 | Difficult Hikes, Dog Friendly, Rocky Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Range, Trip Reports

Star Dune (8,617′), Great Sand Dunes N.P.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, reaching heights of up to 750 feet at Star Dune. Some interesting facts about Star Dune:

1. The Star Dune is the tallest dune in the park, standing at a height of 755 feet. It is also one of the tallest sand dunes in the world.

2. The shape of the Star Dune is unique, with arms radiating out from the center like a star. This shape is caused by the wind patterns in the area, which come from different directions at different times.

3. The Star Dune is constantly changing shape due to the wind. It can move up to 50 feet per year, and its arms can grow or shrink depending on the wind direction.

4. The sand that makes up the Star Dune is made of quartz and feldspar, and was brought to the area by the Rio Grande River and its tributaries.

5. The Star Dune is not the only dune in the park with a unique shape. High Dune, for example, has a distinctive crescent shape, while the dunes in the northeast section of the park have a “starburst” pattern.

6. Climbing the Star Dune is a popular activity for visitors to the park. It can be a challenging climb, however, as the sand is constantly shifting and can make footing difficult. Visitors are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and to bring plenty of water.

7. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is also home to a variety of plant and animal species, including several that are found nowhere else in the world. Some of these include the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, the Piñon mouse, and the sandhill crane.

8. The park is also an important archaeological site, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 11,000 years. The Ute and Apache people were among the first to live in the area.

Another interesting natural feature is Zapata Falls, located just outside the park.

Trail Stats

Star Dune

Trailhead: Dunes Trailhead
Round trip: 7 miles (11.3 km)
Elevation: 7,856′- 8,617′ (2,395 m – 2,627 m)
County: Alamosa
National Park: The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Trail Pictures

Great Sand Dunes NP in the early morning

Medano Creek flowing at the base of the sand dunes.

Shade from clouds create interesting patterns on the dunes

Sunrise in the valley

Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, USA and covers an area of over 30 square miles.

The sand dunes are constantly changing shape due to wind and weather patterns. They can shift up to 50 feet in just one year.

There are no trails through the dunes as the sand would erase them in a matter of hours.

The summit of Star Dune (8,617′) ahead.

The final push to the summit was very steep

From the summit there are 360 degree views of the park

Most of the park is deserted, with most of the activity taking place near the Medano creek parking lots.

Medano Creek cutting through the dunes

GPX with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Average round trip hiking time for High Dune is 6 hours over 7 miles (11.3 km). There is no trail. Popular hiking applications are often inaccurate. Plan to take as much as 9 hours to hike roundtrip as hiking on loose sand is difficult.

The dune now measures 741 feet (225 m) from base to summit. While it can be hiked from the summit of High Dune on First Ridge, it’s more direct, and less up and down, to access it via its base along the Medano Creek bed. From the Dunes Parking Lot, hike about 2 miles (3.2 km) south down the Medano Creek bed until the massive pyramid-shaped Star Dune comes into view. Follow a ridge to its summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Mt Ida (12,880′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jul 17, 2022 | Difficult Hikes, Featured, Front Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Mt Ida (12,880′), Front Range

The Mt Ida trail, at Milner Pass, is one of Rocky Mountain Park’s most scenic alpine treks. The trail has spectacular views that include tundra flats, panoramic views across the Never Summer Mountain Range, and 360 degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park from the summit.

Officially there is no trail to the summit, but well-established hiking paths make the trek straightforward. Be aware that many cairns and social trails begin to spindle off the main route near the summit, which can be confusing. However, since you’re above treeline, it shouldn’t be hard to piece together the final part of the route.

Trail Stats

Mt Ida

Trailhead: Milner Pass
Round trip: 10.2 miles / 16.4 km
Elevation: 10,780′- 12,880′ / 3,286 m – 3,926 m
County: Larimer / Grand
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Trail Pictures

The Mt Ida trail follows the Continental Divide the entire way

The trail begins at Poudre Lake

View of Specimen mountain

View of the trail with Mt Ida on the right

Wildflowers in full bloom on the Mt Ida trail

The trail is one of the finest trails in Colorado

Azure and Inkwell Lake

Marmot sunbathing

12,880′ summit

Julian Lake near with Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake in the distance

Chipmunk looking over his kingdom

The summit in the distance

Azure and Inkwell Lake from the summit

Marmot’s playing along the ridge

Summit view with Longs Peak in the background

View of the east side of the mountain

Most of the trail is situated above treeline

The Never Summer Mountains in the distance

The trail follows the Continental Divide (Mt Ida on right)

The trail stretch’s off into the distance along the tundra

The Never Summer Mountains to the northwest

View to the east with unnamed lakes below

Rock formation on the trail below treeline

The trail begins/ends in a lush forest

Mt Ida viewed from Trail Ridge Rd. Snowiest peak to the left

GPX with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Start from Poudre Lake Trailhead at Milner Pass (Continental Divide) and head northeast toward Poudre Lake. Hike past the southern shore of Poudre Lake and follow steep switchbacks through the forest. Keep to the right and follow the sign at the first junction. Ascend up a deep forest, heading to the western side of the ridge as you make your way to tree line.

Once above tree line, the views of The Never Summer mountains to the northwest are incredible. Continue over intermittently steep slopes and flat trail. Eventually boulder fields will begin to appear, so it may be tricky to find a steady trail to the top. Stay to the right on the way up to avoid the more difficult sections and the cliffs. The summit provides beautiful 360 degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trailhead Directions

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Mt Sniktau (13,234′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jan 23, 2022 | Difficult Hikes, Dog Friendly, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Snowshoeing, Trip Reports

Mt Sniktau (13,234′), Front Range

Mount Sniktau sits just east of the Continental Divide on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The summit is located less than a mile south of Interstate 70, and east of the Eisenhower Tunnel. Despite being close to an Interstate and being one of the windiest places in Colorado, Mt Sniktau made the list because of the epic views from the summit.

From the ridge, you will see Loveland Pass below at 11,990 ft (3,655 m), Torreys Peak (14,267′), with Grays Peak (14,270′) popping up behind it to the southeast. There are too many more peaks to list that you can see from the summit, but some others include Mt. Evans 14,264′, Quandary Peak (14,265′), Mt. Parnassus (13er), Mt. Bard (13er), Longs Peak 14,255′, and Mt. of the Holy Cross (14,005). Also visible is the Tenmile/Mosquito Range and hundreds of other peaks. To the west are the ski runs of Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Breckenridge across the Continental Divide. What a view!

The name “Sniktau” refers to the pen name of Edwin H. N. Patterson, journalist and editor of the Colorado Miner in the Clear Creek County area during the 1860s. Patterson was a close friend of the famous poet, Edgar Allan Poe.

Trail Stats

Mt Sniktau

Trailhead: Grizzly Peak / Loveland Pass
Round trip: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Elevation: 11,990′ – 13,234′ / 3,655 m – 4,034 m
County: Clear Creek
Forest: Arapaho

Trail Pictures

Mt Sniktau 13,234′

On the climb to the ridge with Loveland Pass below

View of Arapaho Basin

Heading to the ridge above

View along the ridge

Looking back along the route to a false summit

Torreys Peak 14,267′ From Mt Sniktau

Looking back along the ridgeline

View to the NW

I-70 Eisenhower Tunnel – highest point on U.S. interstate system

View looking north

Endless mountain peaks in every direction

Summit view looking east with I-70 below

Mt. Parnassus (13,574′) and Bard Peak (13,641′) from the summit of Mt. Sniktau

Torreys Peak 14,267′ from Mt Sniktau’s ridgeline

Mt Sniktau with two people on the summit

View of Quandary Peak 14,265′ in the distance (left of center)

Looking back after gaining 1,000′ to the ridge

HWY 6 winding it’s way to Loveland Pass

Heading to the ridge and then left

First objective is to get up to the ridgeline

Looking back at the trailhead

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the parking lot, head east towards Mt Sniktau. You’ll first climb to the saddle at point 12,915, a mile ahead of you. After gaining the ridge, take a left (north) to continue up the southwest ridge. Head towards another bump which is a false summit at 13,152 feet.

Hike through a short rocky section to reach the final false summit. You can now see the remaining route to reach the true peak’s summit. Keep hiking and drop about 250 feet into the saddle before you ascend for another quarter mile to reach the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Blodgett Peak (9,429′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Dec 5, 2020 | Difficult Hikes, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Blodgett Peak (9,429′), Front Range

Blodgett Peak is located in Blodgett Peak Open Space along the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains. The peak has a small summit that provides unobstructed views in all directions, rising from the eastern edge of the Rockies. The trailhead is situated close to the U.S. Air Force Academy, north of Colorado Springs.

While in the area, Mt Rosa, Almagre Mountain, and Mt Herman are also great hiking options.

Trail Stats

Blodgett Peak

Trailhead: Blodgett Peak Trail
Round trip: 7 miles / 11.3 km
Elevation: 7,158′ – 9,429′ / 2,182 m – 2,874 m
County: El Paso
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Forest: Pike

Trail Pictures

Rock formation above the water tower

Trail conditions heading into the valley

Trail is steep with lots of scree

View southeast with Cheyenne mountain in the distance

Heading down to the ridge from Blodgett Peak

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Blodgett Peak looking south

Pikes Peak in the distance

Summit view east

Summit view to the northwest

The U.S. Air Force Academy

A reservoir in the center

Looking back down the route

Nearing the ridge from the east

Route up from the east is not recommended – to steep with loose scree

Followed gullies up to the ridge

Waldo Canyon fire scar

Another scree filled gully

Very steep – a tough scramble

Very few trees on the steep slope

First objective above

A pleasant hike on single track to this point

Looking back up the trail

Just a dusting of snow in the shade

View from the trailhead (Blodgett Peak behind this hill)

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The Blodgett Peak trailhead begins in the Blodgett Peak Open Space. Heading out from the parking lot the easiest path to navigate is the closed road, which leads to the water tower.

Take the social trail below the water tower to continue to the peak. The trail will wind into a canyon and begin gaining elevation more quickly. Loose scree and a steep route define this section of the trail.

The social trail leads through the Waldo Canyon wildfire scar, where there is less scree and better footing. Once on the ridge, head to the right (east) to reach the summit. There is a short boulder field scramble to the small summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Humboldt Peak (14,068′), Sangre de Cristo Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Sep 5, 2020 | 14er's, Difficult Hikes, Sangre de Cristo Range, Trip Reports

Humboldt Peak (14,068′), Sangre de Cristo Range

Humboldt Peak is part of the Crestones in the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The Crestones are a cluster of 14,000′ peaks comprising Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, Kit Carson Peak, Challenger Point, Humboldt Peak, and Columbia Point. Humboldt Peak is the least difficult hike (difficult Class 2). The rest of the Crestone Group is Class 3, 4, and 5 climbing.

As the trail winds up Humboldt Peak you pass the South Colony Lakes, the most popular back country camping site in the Sangre de Cristo Range.

Trail Stats

Humboldt Peak

Trailhead: Upper South Colony Lakes
Round trip: 11 miles / 17.7 km
Elevation: 9,816′ – 14,068′ / 2,992m – 4,288m
County: Saguache
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Forest: San Isabel

Trail Pictures

Almost sunrise with smoke to the east

Big Horn Sheep (center) next to campground

The trail ends leaving a scramble to the summit

Lower South Colony Lake

A Pika, seen on most high mountain peaks

Looking north along the Sangre de Cristo range

Beautiful views of the Crestone’s from the trail

Looking south along the Sangre de Cristo range

The Crestone’s and the South Colony Lakes

Valley with the North Colony Lakes

Looking back at the ridge during the scramble to the top

Columbia and Challenger, two 14ers) to the left (near center)

Crestone Needle (left) and Crestone Peak (right), two more 14ers

Massive peaks

The false summit ahead

View of Colony Baldy and the North Colony Lakes

Humboldt Peak ahead, but still not the summit

Great views from the trail once above timberline

Upper and Lower South Colony Lakes

Nearing the ridge

Heading up to the ridge, lots of elevation gain

Upper South Colony Lake

View of Crestone Needle from the Lake

The trail travels near the upper South Colony Lake

3 days before the first snow of the season

Humboldt Peak 14,064′

Trail through the heavy forest

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The trail climbs the peak from the South Colony Lakes basin, accessed from the east side of the range. This basin is a popular site that is also the base for most climbs of Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle. You start the hike on a very rugged four-wheel drive road that was closed in 2009 as it follows the South Colony drainage.

Once near the lakes there will be Forest Service signs providing information on the area. Going NW (Humboldt Peak cutoff trail) at the junction, takes you to the Upper South Colony Lake.

The trail climbs steeply to the ridge from the upper lake. Once on the ridge stay to the center for the safest scramble to the summit. The northern side is treacherous with a steep drop for most of the remaining route.

Once on the false summit, head to the northeast to the true summit along large talus.

Trailhead Directions

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Mt Audubon (13,223′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Aug 9, 2020 | Difficult Hikes, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Mt Audubon (13,223′), Front Range

Mt Audubon is the highest peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness that has an established trail nearly to the summit. It is located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, about an hour outside of Boulder.

The great 360 degree view from the summit looks out over the mountains of the Indian Peaks Wilderness to the west, Rocky Mountain National Park to the north, and the Front Range and plains to the east. Beautiful alpine lakes like Mitchell & Blue Lake and Lake Isabelle are scattered in the valleys.

Trail Stats

Mt Audubon

Trailhead: Beaver Creek Trail (at Mitchell Lake parking lot)
Round trip: 8 miles / 12.9 km
Elevation: 10,350′ – 13,223′ / 3,155m – 4,030m
County: Boulder
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Forest: Roosevelt
Nat’l Wilderness: Indian Peaks

Trail Pictures

Mt Audubon 13,223′

View near the trailhead looking west

View of Mitchell Lake

The trail is deceptively rocky

Near treeline

Willows on the left, Bristle cone pines on the right

View of Mt Audubon looking west on the tundra

Last of the winter snow with reservoirs in the distance

The trail marked by cairns

The summit just ahead

View of Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park

Views east from the summit with haze from wildfires

Upper Coney Lake below

Paiute Peak 13,088′

View into the Indian Peaks Wilderness from the summit

More summit views

View to the southeast of the Front Range

A false summit ahead

On the last 600′ of vertical distance to the summit

3 Ptarmigans along the trail

A busy trail

View of the Front Range to the east

Just below treeline

Early morning along the rugged trail

Sunrise along the Beaver Creek trail

Just past the trailhead before sunrise

View to the northwest from the summit

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The Beaver Creek Trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness and climbs through the trees for 1.7 miles. At the first junction head west (left) onto the Mount Audubon Trail as it heads west.

The Mount Audubon Trail continues climbing above timberline. The trail ends at the saddle where, there is a view down into the Coney Lake drainage. For the final half-mile, and 600 vertical feet, follow the rock cairns up the talus to the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Hallett Peak (12,713′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Aug 31, 2019 | Difficult Hikes, Front Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Hallett Peak (12,713′), Front Range

Hallett Peak, viewed from east Rocky Mountain National Park, is distinctive with it’s slanted square structure towering over the landscape. As you near the summit however, the square melts away and you are left looking at a more traditional mountain silhouette. Rising along the Continental Divide, the peak divides Chaos Canyon to the south and Tyndall Gorge to the north.

The route to the summit first traverses the summit of Flattop Mountain on a well maintained trail. The Arapaho Indians called the Flattop Mountain corridor “The Big Trail”. The trail was formally constructed in 1925, was rehabilitated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Trail Stats

Hallett Peak

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Round trip: 10 miles / 16.1 km
Elevation: 9,475′ – 12,713′ / 2,888 m – 3,875 m
County: Larimer
Agency: National Park Service
Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain

Trail Pictures

Bear Lake with Hallett Peak in the distance

The Flattop Mountain trail

Views of Longs Peak and Thatchtop Mountain near treeline

Emerald Lake below

Views along the Flattop Mountain trail

A marmot blending into the alpine tundra

Hallett Peak (12,713′)

Looking east down the Flattop Mountain Trail

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Along the summit of Flattop Mountain

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Hallett Peak from Flattop Mountain

Crossing to saddle above Tyndall Glacier

Tyndall Glacier and Tyndall Gorge

Grand Lake from the saddle of Hallett Peak

View along the Continental Divide

Hallett Peak summit (12,713′)

View of Otis and Taylor Peak from the Hallett Peak summit

Flattop Mountain and Tyndall Glacier

View of the ridge from the summit

Flattop Mountain from the summit

View of Flattop Mountain

View of Longs Peak from the summit

View from the summit of Flattop Mountain (12,324′)

The peak looks very different up here

Nearing the summit of Flattop Mountain

Destination on the left and Flattop Mountain on the right

Emerald Lake from the Flattop Mountain trail

The summit on right with the tilted square block that is seen from the east side of the park

The Mummy Range to the north

Near treeline along the Flattop Mountain trail

Dream Lake with Longs Peak (left of center) and Thatchtop Mountain.

Dense forest along the Flattop Mtn. trail

Aspenglow along the trail

Sunrise through the dense forest

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From Bear Lake take the well maintained Flattop mountain trail to the summit of Flattop Mountain. No maintained trail reaches Hallett Peak, so cross the saddle above Tyndall Glacier and scramble up steep talus to the summit.

Trailhead Directions

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Picket Wire Canyonlands Tracksite (4,403′), Eastern Plains

by Mike Langenkamp | May 18, 2019 | Difficult Hikes, Dog Friendly, Eastern Plains, Trip Reports

Picket Wire Canyonlands Tracksite (4,403′), Eastern Plains

Picket Wire (Purgatoire) Canyonlands, in the Comanche National Grasslands, is home to the largest dinosaur track site in North America. 150 million years ago this area was part of a large shallow lake and was teaming with Brontosaurs and Allosaurs. As these massive beasts plodded along the muddy edge of this lake, they left their footprints in the mud, which were eventually buried and turned to stone. Today, over 1,300 of these footprints, extending a 1/4 mile, are exposed at the Picket Wire Canyonlands dinosaur track site.

Another interesting geological attraction on the Eastern Plains is Paint Mines Park, with it’s richly colored clay spires.

Trail Stats

Picket Wire Canyonlands

Destination: Dinasaur Track Site
Trailhead: Withers Canyon
Round trip: 10.8 miles / 17.4 km
Elevation: 4,403′ -4,153′ / 1,342 m-1,265 m
County: Otero
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Grassland: Comanche

Trail Pictures

Looking down into the valley with the trail in the middle left

Trailhead gate

Extreme heat warning

Withers Canyon Trailhead

The long dirt roads through the Comanche Grasslands from the trailhead

Climbing back out of the canyon floor

Trail along Clark Canyon

Huge rock on the hillside ready to roll

The Dolores Mission and Cemetery

Signage at the site

A large variety of footprints

Prints were made at the muddy shore of an ancient lake

Limestone bedrock along the Purgatoire River containing some of the tracks

The dinosaur track site

Print of a meat eating Allosaurus

A horny toad warming in the sun

Another ruin from the 1800’s

The Purgatoire River full of spring melt from the mountains

Spring along the Purgatoire River

A petroglyph among the rocks

An excellent trail to follow

Ruins along the trail

Spring flowers in bloom on the canyon floor

View of Withers Canyon

Allosaurus print

Large bedrock area along the near side of the river containing dinosaur tracks

The trail between the canyon walls and the river

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Weather

Trail Directions

There are no navigation issues with the trail. The reason for the difficulty rating is the distance.

Starting at the Withers Canyon Trailhead, the trail descends 250 feet into the canyons. Along the way you will encounter many ruins including the Dolores Mission and Cemetery. Many rocks above the trail have centuries old petroglyphs left behind by nomadic tribes.

Trailhead Directions

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Crater Lake (10,400′) and Mirror Lake (10,325′), Front Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Aug 11, 2018 | Difficult Hikes, Front Range, Rocky Mountains, Trip Reports

Crater Lake (10,400′) and Mirror Lake (10,325′), Front Range

Mirror Lake and Crater lake are found deep in the heart of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Cascade Falls is a popular destination found along the trail. It is about 4.5 miles in and comprises of multiple waterfalls.

The destination, Crater Lake, sits in a large bowl under Mount Achonee (12,469′), Lone Eagle Peak (11,920′) and several unnamed 12,000′ peaks. Peck Glacier and several perennial snowfields can be seen clinging to the steep terrain west of Lone Eagle Peak. This trail is rated as moderate, but if done in a single day the mileage would make this a difficult hike.

The Indian Peaks Wilderness encompasses over 50 lakes 133 miles of trails, with many other beautiful destinations such as Mt Audubon and Mitchell Lake.

Trail Stats

Crater & Mirror Lake

Trailhead: Monarch Lake Trailhead
Round trip: Crater Lake 15 miles/ 24.1 km
Elevation: 8,365′-10,400′ / 2,550 m – 3,170 m
County: Grand
Agency: U.S. Forest Service
Nat’l Forest: Arapaho
Nat’l Wilderness: Indian Peaks

Trail Pictures

Base of Cascade Falls

So many beautiful waterfalls along the trail

The trail crosses several meadows on the way to Crater Lake

Trail along Monarch Lake

Trail cutting through pine, aspen, and spruce forest

Views from the north bank of Monarch Lake

Monarch Lake from the trailhead

Monarch Lake Trailhead

Base of Cascade Falls

Peak 11,893′ coming into view on the right

Wildflowers along the trail

One of many creek crossings

Mirror Lake

Mt Achonee (12,649′) towering above Mirror Lake

Lone Eagle Peak with Peck Glacier in the background

View of Crater Lake basin

View of imposing mountains from Crater Lake

Crater Lake with Mt Achonee

View east from Crater Lake

View above Crater Lake

View of Lone Eagle Peak

Morning light on a waterfall

Lone Eagle Peak towering over Mirror Lake

View of Lone Eagle Peak

Jagged peaks in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

A beautiful day for a hike

Beautiful Lone Eagle Peak (11,920′) in the distance

Narrow point in the Cascade trail

Peak 11,893′ (left) and Peak 11,535′ (right)

Shoshoni Peak (12,600′)

One of the many waterfalls along the trail

A moose in the thick underbrush

The top of a waterfall

Cascade Falls

Afternoon light on Monarch Lake

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

The trail begins along the west shore of Monarch Lake. The trail is level as it follows the northern shore of the lake. There are occasional switchbacks as the trail follows Buchanan Creek through pine, aspen, and spruce forests. There are several waterfalls along Buchanan Creek and later along Cascade Creek, including Cascade Falls.

There are two trail junctions, both of which are clearly marked. At ~3.5 miles stay right on the Cascade Trail at the junction for Buchanan Pass Trail. At the junction ~6.5 miles, stay right to head toward Crater Lake. The trail to the left continues to Pawnee Pass Trail. After a short climb you’ll come to an open meadow with a large boulder field on the left-hand side. The trail crosses a large flat rock bed and is marked by 5-6 cairns. After following the cairns back onto the clearly defined trail, several steep switchbacks take you up to the basin.

The trail appears to end at Mirror Lake as you walk around the side (right) of the lake, but the trail picks up on the west side of Mirror Lake and takes you to Crater Lake, a very short distance.

Trailhead Directions

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West Spanish Peak (13,625′), Sangre de Cristo Range

by Mike Langenkamp | Jul 28, 2018 | Difficult Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Range, Trip Reports

West Spanish Peak (13,625′), Sangre de Cristo Range

West Spanish Peak (13,625′) and East Spanish Peak (12,684′) have world class geological features that made the two peaks a National Natural Landmark in 1976 and designated as a Wilderness Area in 2000. The peaks rise 6,000 ft from the edge of the eastern plains, and were used as a navigation aid for centuries for people heading west.

The Spanish Peaks are world class examples of “stocks” and “dikes”. Stocks are large masses of igneous (molten) rock which forced their way into seams of the sedimentary rock which eroded more quickly over time. East Peak is a nearly circular stock about 5.5 miles long by 3 miles wide while West Peak is a stock about 2.75 miles long by 1.75 miles wide.

The other structures, hundreds of dikes which radiate out from the two mountains, were formed in the same way, but instead of a large pool of molten rock, the magma filled cracks in the soft sedimentary layer. Erosion wore away the softer sedimentary rock leaving dikes (walls) of granite rock up to 100′ high, 100′ wide, and 14 miles long. This scenic combination of two stocks (West Spanish Peak and East Spanish Peak) and hundreds of unique dikes is second to none with it’s size, diversity and beauty.

While in the area, just a short drive west on Hwy 160, is another geological wonder, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Zapata Falls, which lies just outside the park, is also a favorite.