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Post by cadesun on Feb 5, 2016 8:14:26 GMT -8
Hello All -
Plans of hitting up the San Jauns this year have been dashed due typical shortages - vacation time, gas money, etc., so my wife and I are looking for a shorter, cheaper trip. Where is the best backpacking in the Front Range? We would probably base camp out of Ft Collins or Denver and have spent time in the Front Range in the past. We have backpacked Rawah and Comanche Peaks and day hiked RMNP. Is backpacking RMNP worth the hassle of a permit? Or are there other options which provide epic scenery without the regulations?
We are both strong hikers with solid equipment and mountain knowledge so difficulty is not an issue and have a great 4WD vehicle to access remote trailheads. Any input would be much appreciated!
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Post by swimswithtrout on Feb 5, 2016 16:57:04 GMT -8
When you say you've been to the Rawah's, where specifically ? You can easily spend 4-5 days on a loop without much retracing. I live in Ft. Collins, so it's always been my easy get away, and to me, is the "Best Backpacking in "The Front Range"".
I'd skip RMNP. If you don't mind pulling permits, the Indian Peaks Wilderness is a much better option, and permits are much easier to get than RMNP. That would be my second choice.
That's about it for the Front Range. Your next option would be to drive the few extra miles to either the Sangre de Christo's or to the Gore Range. A little further would be the Zirkels another hour west of the Rawahs.
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Post by absarokanaut on Feb 6, 2016 5:56:08 GMT -8
The Gore Range is magnificent. I do not know it very well at all, dayhiked Deluge Lake a generation ago. If you're gonna do Fort Collins I'd pick SWT's brain, he's unequivocally one of the most accomplished hikers in these pages. Rocky Mt. is a great dayhiking park; backpacking not so much.
We all have our favorites and in Colorado mine are unequivocally south of HWY 50. If you can stomache the few extra gallons to get there Westcliffe, CO and it's unbelieveable trailheads into the Eastern Sangres start just 2.5 hours out of Denver. Salida, one of the greatest towns of the American West, is about two hours from Denver and would give you access to the Northern Sangres and Collegiate Peaks. If you do some research and come back you'll have several of us that can help you zero in on some magic.
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Post by cadesun on Feb 6, 2016 10:00:50 GMT -8
Swimswithtrout -
We did the Rawah/Camp Lake loop leaving from the West Branch TH. It was beautiful, but I would like to see something new unless we missed something absolutely spectacular worth going back. Indian Peaks sounds interesting. Do you have any recommendations for a 3-night loop there? Big views, easy access to water, and not too many people are typical goals for us. In addition to backpacking, we will probably spend some time hoteling/beer tasting in Fort Collins or Boulder, and see if we can conquer Long's Peak after getting turned around by high winds last time we attempted.
Absarokanaut -
I have heard great things about the Gore Range and the Sangres. Unfortunately, this needs to be a relatively quick trip and we are driving from Chicago so even a few extra hours on both ends of the drive add up. Next time!
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Feb 6, 2016 14:22:14 GMT -8
The Stanley Hotel has the best Manhattan on the planet. Not to be missed. Highly recommend the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn in Estes Park. Reasonable rates, clean, well-maintained and well managed. The south side of Meeker leads to an awesome basin via an off-trail approach. It would make an interesting backpack and include a contrarian ascent to the Loft for a Long's Peak summit bid. Hike up the Sandbeach Lake Trail and take a right at Hunters Creek. A base camp high and to the west of Meeker South Ridge would provide access to a doable scramble to the Loft and make a day hike of Long's feasible. You would avoid the Keyhole and with an early start, skip the peak parade.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 10:51:54 GMT -8
I did a little backpacking in the Snowy Range, west of Laramie many years ago, and it enjoyed it very much. You could also visit the hot springs in Saratoga.
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Post by cadesun on Feb 10, 2016 8:26:23 GMT -8
Scottmc - I had not even considered WY, but the Snowy Range looks beautiful! I see there is at least one backpacker magazine article on it... That might be a nice place to start for a few nights.
Westy - Do you just need the overland permit to do the Longs Peak approach you listed? I checked it out on the topo and it does look like a really nice way to get around the normal crowds.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Feb 10, 2016 11:06:30 GMT -8
The off trail travel zones have specific regulations that maintain the awesomeness. Our cross-country permit was for 1G Hunters Creek. I'd recommend a very early day one start to insure you can suss out and pre-determine the best slope and ascent line for intersecting the Loft. This is important and will facilitate success. You will want a pre-dawn alpine start to have a good summit bid. As for crowds, there is only one (1) permit for this zone, solitude guaranteed. The South Ridge and/or Dragon Egg Routes are the least used for the ascent of Meeker. After the Loft proceed to Clark's Arrow and connect to the Keyhole Route at the Homestretch. That's were you might have company. This is most assuredly an off-trail approach requiring some bushwhacking, a dash of bog trotting and route finding self-confidence. If bagging a peak, either Long's, Meeker, Pagoda or Orton is not in the cards, camping in the upper basin is spectacular. It's about six (6) miles in gaining about 3,400 vertical feet. Recommend Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Hiking Guide by Lisa Fosterstrong hikers with solid equipment and mountain knowledge so difficulty is not an issue  Along Hunters Creek Vintage SWT Video |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Feb 10, 2016 13:24:54 GMT -8
I like the Gore Range and the Sangres as well. I'll say one thing. If you're going to use a city as a base, Fort Collins beats Denver hands-down.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 11, 2016 11:58:37 GMT -8
Driving from Chicago, you can be in the Black Hills before Denver/Fort Collins.
If it must be the Rockies, I had a great long weekend trip to the Comanche Wilderness in September 2014. 3 nights of pure solitude. We started at Pingree Park, camped near Emmaline Lake the first night, crossed over Mummy Pass into RMNP and camped at Mirror Lake the 2nd night, and then back over Comanche Peak and down the Hourglass Trail to Comanche Lake the third night. I think we saw 4 people in 4 days.
Gore Range is awesome but does not offer great look options without a shuttle.
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Post by absarokanaut on Feb 12, 2016 15:42:58 GMT -8
I love the Snowies, it's one of the more spetacular pieces of asphalt you'll ever travel. Telephone Lakes is a nice overnight, but IMO you're gonna do better in Colorado when it comes to a multinighter.
I drove Chicago to Dubois, WY in 18 hrs. Lander is more than an hour short of Dubois. I bet Fort Collins is just a couple of hours closer than Lander. Just saying.
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