Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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iquack08
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Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by iquack08 »

I'm looking for a trail within a 1.5 hour drive of Denver comparable to Mt. Evan's Echo Lake trail. My requirements are:

1) Difficult - looking for a long hike, <12 hours
2) Scenic - comparable to the Chicago Lakes
3) Secluded - no people around for the most part

Any recommendations? Thanks!
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winmag4582001
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by winmag4582001 »

Lone Eagle Peak via Crater lake trail from Monarch lake.
"Remember, you're unique, just like everybody else."
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Brian C
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by Brian C »

I think you'd enjoy hiking Hague's Peak or Fairchild from the Lawn Lake TH in RMNP. They're beautiful, far (about 16 miles RT) and not super crowded.
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djkest
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by djkest »

Brian C wrote:I think you'd enjoy hiking Hague's Peak or Fairchild from the Lawn Lake TH in RMNP. They're beautiful, far (about 16 miles RT) and not super crowded.
Yeah, I did a hike from lawn lake that was very challenging (for me). It was Lawn Lake to "the saddle" to Hagues, Rowe Peak, and Mummy Mountain and back down. Hagues is an interesting class 3 routefinding/scramble to the summit. Mummy is class 2 at best, but has a fun and rapid descent. I have a post on my blog about it...

Great thing is you are in RMNP, but may not see anyone the whole time after you leave lawn lake.
Life is a mountain, not a beach.
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Brian C
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by Brian C »

djkest wrote:...I have a post on my blog about it...
Great post and good photos. This deserves a link.
Mummy Trio: Part 1
Mummy Trio: Part 2
Brian in the Wild
Lists of John
"Nature never did betray the heart that loved her." - Wordsworth
iquack08
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by iquack08 »

I'll definitely research these hikes.

The last time I've been to Estes Park I quickly learned it is a tourist trap. Glad to hear that most people are keeping away from the trails. :D
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Rich H
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by Rich H »

Buffalo Peak from Stoney Pass...high point of Jeffco County. Was up there this weekend and never saw a person... 3,000 vertical in less than 3 miles through lots of downed trees and no trail. Views of entire front range. I would say it was more difficult than most of the 14ers.

Rich
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by rijaca »

Bison and/or McCurdy in the LCW.
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Jay521
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by Jay521 »

rijaca wrote:Bison and/or McCurdy in the LCW.
+1
I take the mountain climber's approach to housekeeping - don't look down
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Dark Helmet
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by Dark Helmet »

iquack08 wrote:I'll definitely research these hikes.

The last time I've been to Estes Park I quickly learned it is a tourist trap. Glad to hear that most people are keeping away from the trails. :D

that's what I love about it...

the touristy stuff just makes me laugh... and the kids enjoy it.
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Jim Davies
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by Jim Davies »

Agreed on Bison/McCurdy. Also X/Y/Z from Lost Park Road. Get the Roach's Lost Creek Wilderness book, it will keep you busy for a while.
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Re: Looking 4 your near-by secret hiking spots

Post by ketel1 »

winmag4582001 wrote:Lone Eagle Peak via Crater lake trail from Monarch lake.
JUST what I was thinking..Buchanan Pass, from the east side, over the Continental Divide. We just backpacked in from Monarch Lake, got chased out by rain, but that cirque is so incredible, I will be back later this fall.
Beth
"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." ~Christopher Reeve
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