halfmoon
New member
Hello,
I am very interested in information and recommendations about when and where to hike in Colorado. I know, this is very general so let me provide some context. When I arrive in Colorado for hiking I will be entering through Fort Collins and heading south, and then flying out of Denver, so geographically I am most interested in the Front Range, the Sawatch Range, and the Elk Mountains. I will be dayhiking only, because I will be travelling with an 8 month old baby. I am interested in day hikes ranging from 1 to 30 miles (I may be able to break away from the wife and baby for a couple longer hikes). When researching hikes I am most interested in alpine scenery and lakes. I will have between 8 and 10 days to devote to day hiking in Colorado. I am not opposed to hiking to summits, and I own the Gary Roach book on 14ers. I have experience at high altitude, and I understand the need for acclimation and will prepare accordingly. I will research more about the altitude considerations with a baby before I hike in Colorado.
So, in a nutshell...
What are a couple really neat longer day hikes, 20-30 miles? I am already zoned in on the "Four Passes Loop" in the Maroon Bells area for one.
What are some more reasonable (1-12 miles) hikes with neat alpine scenery that are suitable to do with a 8 month old baby.
When is a nice time to hike in Colorado, currently I am considering July, will most ranges be more or less melted out by then? I do have flexibility as to when I go so this isn't written in stone.
Where is a good and comparitively inexpensive (not Aspen) base town to explore the Elk Mountains and/or the Sawatch? I have read all the previous posts on VFTT, and Leadville and Buena Vista have been previously mentioned? Any preference among those two?
What is a good base town to explore the Front Range?
I appreciate any insights that the community has, and Thanks!
Steve Hawkins
I am very interested in information and recommendations about when and where to hike in Colorado. I know, this is very general so let me provide some context. When I arrive in Colorado for hiking I will be entering through Fort Collins and heading south, and then flying out of Denver, so geographically I am most interested in the Front Range, the Sawatch Range, and the Elk Mountains. I will be dayhiking only, because I will be travelling with an 8 month old baby. I am interested in day hikes ranging from 1 to 30 miles (I may be able to break away from the wife and baby for a couple longer hikes). When researching hikes I am most interested in alpine scenery and lakes. I will have between 8 and 10 days to devote to day hiking in Colorado. I am not opposed to hiking to summits, and I own the Gary Roach book on 14ers. I have experience at high altitude, and I understand the need for acclimation and will prepare accordingly. I will research more about the altitude considerations with a baby before I hike in Colorado.
So, in a nutshell...
What are a couple really neat longer day hikes, 20-30 miles? I am already zoned in on the "Four Passes Loop" in the Maroon Bells area for one.
What are some more reasonable (1-12 miles) hikes with neat alpine scenery that are suitable to do with a 8 month old baby.
When is a nice time to hike in Colorado, currently I am considering July, will most ranges be more or less melted out by then? I do have flexibility as to when I go so this isn't written in stone.
Where is a good and comparitively inexpensive (not Aspen) base town to explore the Elk Mountains and/or the Sawatch? I have read all the previous posts on VFTT, and Leadville and Buena Vista have been previously mentioned? Any preference among those two?
What is a good base town to explore the Front Range?
I appreciate any insights that the community has, and Thanks!
Steve Hawkins