Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2016 10:45:35 GMT -8
Hey all,
I am planning an overnight backpacking trip in Colorado, on October 16th. Basically I'm looking for a moderate/strenuous hike I can do on a Saturday come back Sunday. A lake would be awesome. I'm from Oklahoma and this would be my first hike in the mountains. Any advice on a trail that would work for me, tips, stories would be awesome!
Thanks!
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Aug 21, 2016 10:49:27 GMT -8
It's a big state. What will be your base area? Denver, Colorado Springs, etc.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 21, 2016 12:19:52 GMT -8
Lots of options. FYI the 18th is the second to last day for the combined rifle deer/elk/bear season, so it might not be a bad idea to decorate your person and pack with a couple of those cheap blaze orange vests.
That is the one time of the year I would suggest Rocky Mountain National Park to avoid hunters. Most of the tourists are gone, so you'll see few people on the trail once you get past day-hike range. The Wild Basin entry station sees fewer visitors.
Another think to keep in mind is that we have occasionally gotten heavy snow in the mountains that early, so check the weather before heading out.
Chances are that you will have beautiful weather, but it will get chilly (perhaps in the teens) at night.
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Post by cweston on Aug 21, 2016 13:07:33 GMT -8
I agree with lamebeaver that the fall is a great time to visit national parks. (I rarely hike NPs in the summer.) My favorite area in RMNP is the Sky Pond area. You can't camp at Sky Pond or any of the other little lakes in the upper valley, but you could make camp early on Saturday at "the Loch" and dayhike to Sky Pond and Andrews Glacier the rest of Saturday and early Sunday before breaking camp to head out. There is only one campsite at The Loch, though. Getting it on a Saturday is well nigh impossible in the summer, but maybe that's not a problem in October, I don't know.
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Post by cweston on Aug 21, 2016 14:00:59 GMT -8
Well, I've been looking at Colorado National Park, there's just so many options it can be overwhelming lol. I looked at Sky Pond on Alltrails.com it's saying that it's accessible June-September? There's a decent chance that there would be some snow on the ground in the sky pond area in October. But, IMHO, the chance that it would be deep enough to prevent hiking there without snowshoes is fairly low. Others with more direct experience in RMNP could correct me on that, if needed. |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 21, 2016 14:06:09 GMT -8
There are a few other options, Sand Dunes NP, Black Canyon NM. But it really depends on which part of the state you're visiting. Personally, I'd plan on RMNP, roll the dice and ask the rangers what's available when you get there. The west side of the park is less visited, and you stand a much better chance of seeing moose if you're into that.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2016 14:24:45 GMT -8
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Post by cweston on Aug 22, 2016 8:33:45 GMT -8
FYI: The link only works if you are a subscriber to alltrails.com. |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 22, 2016 9:14:42 GMT -8
I've never been to Brown's Lake, but the Comanche Peaks is a nice area, and Crown Point Road is well maintained.
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Post by cadesun on Aug 22, 2016 9:34:21 GMT -8
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 9:54:22 GMT -8
Thanks for the help everyone! I posted the same post on reddit and didn't get a single response. Much love!
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Post by swimswithtrout on Aug 25, 2016 6:09:25 GMT -8
Be aware that the Crown Point/Brown's Lk area is a major destination for many elk hunters and is always packed during Big Game Seasons.
I'd recommend RMNP as well.
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