I think they were just as surprised to see me, as I them. At times only three feet wide, its sheer cliffs drop away on both sides 600 to 800 feet to the valley floor below. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project. Old volcanic cliffs litter the area. And though technically allowed, its best to leave the dogs at home for this one as the upper reaches are much too technical. For more tips on backpacking in bear country, visit www.cpw.state.co.us. Fortunately I escaped any dogs. A quick scan of the Internet had told me that most backpackers in the Flat Tops do the Devil's Causeway/Chinese Wall loop. Lost Lakes, Devils Causeway, Flat Tops Wilderness Area Distance: 22.3 miles (loop) Walking time: day 1: 4 1/4 hours day 2: 3 1/4 hours day 3: 8 1/4 hours Elevations: 3,330 ft. gain/loss Stillwater Trailhead (start): 10,280 ft. Causeway Lake: 10,420 ft. West Lost Lake: 10,296 ft. Devils Causeway: 11,800 ft. The views, fishing, and remoteness are the biggest draws of this area. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Watching waterfalls blow up the cliff face from the wind is unreal. Trails above 10,000 feet can be covered in snow until late June and again in late September. If you are a beginner, it might not be a bad idea to check out guided hikes in Colorado. So we created our list of the 10 Best Beginner Backpacking Trips in Colorado, which include: 1. Sixteen Must Do (5.5 and 5.6) Boulder and Estes Park Rock Climbs, Our Top 5 Spring Wildflower Hikes in Boulder, CWRAG AIARE Avalanche Classes: 2023/2024 Dates Announced, Ruby Horsethief Exclusive Rafting Weekend Dates Announced for 2023, 2023 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BACKPACKING DATES ANNOUNCED, Discover Your Next Summer Adventure: CWRAGs Top 5 Recommended Trips. Sights along the way include Snowmass Lake, West Maroon Pass, Buckskin Pass and Fravert Basin. All I saw was a bog filled depression. Views of the surrounding mountains once you arrive at the Continental Divide are spectacular. Thunder burped and rainclouds moved towards me. All rights reserved. I have a 32 mile loop mapped out in this same area that uses Stillwater Reservoir, Trappers Lake, Wall Lake, Island Lake, Road Lake and Hooper Lake as the rough boundaries of the loop so it was useful to get a picture of the area. You will be cold, tired, and hungry, and it will feel like every day you are going up and over a pass and hiding from a storm. For miles after this point I heard coyotes barking and howling from the deep valley to the west. Trail Info: Routt National Forest, Yampa District, (970) 638-4516. The trail in the above photo looks kind compared to what I was in store for the rest of the day. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, "Wildland Trekking is about Inspired Exploration. Are you looking for that ultimate rugged experience? Anyone spent much time backpacking The Flat Tops? Pack plenty of water and snacks loaded with electrolytes to combat altitude sickness. Thinking about doing a trip out there next month. There are so many beautiful hikes in Colorado it is unbelievable. Conundrum Hot Spring10. When to go and what to think about This trip is an ideal summer or fall adventure. Its a good spot for beginners who want to push the envelope in length and elevation change. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Chinese Wall and Bear River Trails drop you back at Stillwater Reservoir. Located near Durango, this backpacking trip is unique in that you start your adventure with a train ride to the trailhead. However, popping through the Keyhole and looking down into the valley beyond will take away whatever little breath you had left. Remember, Colorado is high (in more ways than one). And dont forget about Trail Magic! When it Rains, it Pours in Colorados Elk Mountains, A National Park Ranger Reveals the Secrets of the Job. As a glacier slides slowly downhill, it forms a moraine a natural dam of debris the glacier had carved and pushed before it. If you want more of a challenge, you can use the Needle Creek campground as a basecamp and attempt any of the three 14ers that rise above. This trail is estimated to be 47.7 mi long. Where: 177 miles west of Denver. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Heading out the door? Probably the most popular backpacking loop in Colorado, this one is a must-do. Get Backpacking Light news, updates, gear info, skills, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week. The Chinese Wallin Flat Tops Wilderness is a stunning example of this geologic process. The snow has slowly disappeared from the mountains, and hiking season has officially begun. One of the easiest 15-mile hikes you could find at 10,000 feet, this loop is a real treat. Be sure to use caution in the snowpack. There is no potable water along the route so bring everything you need. More than 1,000 summits in Colorado top 10,000 feet on the Continental Divide Trail. She suggests slathering your feet with Vaseline before you slip on your shoes and socks and wear two sock layers one thin and one thicker. What is the longest trail in Flat Tops Wilderness? 10-15 miles, depending on your fitness, is a good place to start. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The vistas from this trail are unending and it is truly enjoyable alpine hiking. Heres where it gets interesting. Colorado Wilderness is looking ahead and forward to the fresh, In 2023 and 2024, Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides will conduct a range of avalanche classes. Hike with a friend whenever possible and let friends and family members know where you are going and when you plan to return. On the Chinese Wall Loop trail, you will be over 11,000 feet in elevation. :nod: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. See also my stories "The 10 Best National Park Backpacking Trips," "12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip," and . This is a classic route in Rocky Mountain National Park; however, this is not your average walk in the park. ), rivers, waterfalls, volcanic peaks (up to nearly 13,000 feet), abundant wildlife, incredible trout fishing, and world-class hiking and backpacking. These are technical and only recommended with proper training and gear. However, heading up to (and beyond) the Keyhole is no picnicbe prepared for a bit of tenuous scrambling. You want to make sure the pack will hold what you need but you also dont need to overpack. Fun fact: It was her who found and named the popular Shrine Mountain Trail in 1987. Most people dont do the loop. My link to the Hooper Lake trail is a welcomed one. When camping, never sleep near your food and always hang it and your trash from a tree in a bear-safe container. There is a lot of advice to take in before you plan your first trip. Take a refreshing dip in Lost Lake. You can set up camp at one of the many sites surrounding the springs. (We have all) these splendid mountain ranges that are almost a stones throw from us, Gilliland said. Starting at the Maroon Lake Trailhead, you are immediately greeted with an iconic view of the Maroon Bells over Maroon Lakea glimpse into what this loop has to offer. Still looks like it was a great trip though. From a distance, the Flat Tops could be mistaken for the setting of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles 1912 classic The Lost World, in which dinosaurs roam cloud-penetrating mesas in a land that time forgot. There's a lot of valuable information in here. Exploring the topo makes me believe it could be very Uinta-esque but the information online isn't all the helpful so far. Of course, you will need lightweight gear for your hikes such as a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent. Want To Hike In Middle-Earth? Some 740 miles of this trail is in central Colorado with a high point of Grays Peak at 14,270 feet. Enjoy expansive wilderness and peaceful solitude in Colorado's Flat Tops. Most of the trail is above 10,000 feet, with the highest point a bit over 13,000. The first part of the route isnt too demanding, except for the altitude. Wish I had been able to read it before a two-night trip I did in the Flat Tops this week. You can fish in the lake or take day trips to various other parts of the area. Gilliland said a backpackers biggest woe is blisters, but there are ways to prevent your feet from killing you after only a few hours on the trail. Local regulations require permitting for camping overnight. Expand your Colorado backpacking horizon! Go to NPS.gov for more information on permits for areas you would like to backpack. Immensely touched by the scenery, Carhart returned to his superiors and convinced them that they should abandon the project and set aside the land for protection. This loop offers up a unique experience on the Western Slope. Aspen-Sopris Ranger District . To learn more about ourguided backpacking tripsand all of our award-winninghiking vacations, please visit ourwebsiteor connect with one of our Adventure Consultants: 800-715-HIKE. In the vicinity are Mt. If enjoying an epic Colorado backpacking trip is on your list, then join us in the Flat Tops for an adventure youll never forget! In 2017, we received a new permit for backpacking, hiking, and fly fishing in the Flat Top Wilderness (and Mountain Biking White River National Forest) and have created many great 3-14 days multi-day wilderness experiences that are sure to be trips of a lifetime! If the wind is howling, you may think your trip is a bust. Instead of being somewhere in the wilderness suffering, you can make adjustments in your own neighborhood while you practice and get prepared. They placed members of the indigenous tribe on arid strips of land in Utah and Southern Colorado. There is something beautiful around every corner in Colorado so start planning your trip today!. People who want an amazing experience can choose this area, stay in one place for several nights and explore many beautiful areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. 3.0 + approach . For the most part in the high country, theres quite a bit of water for the whole hiking season.. There are several shuttles that you can use, but make sure you make a reservation well in advance of starting your trip. Grab a booth or a bar stool, a bite and a beer at the historic Antlers Cafe & Bar, a staple of the Yampa community since 1905 - one of the many reasons to return to the wilderness surrounding Steamboat Springs, where endless adventure awaits. 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