Adventure Travel Denver CO

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 6 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8300 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Ceran St. Vrain Trail is a beautiful trail through lodgepole pines that follows the St. Vrain Creek. This trail makes for an excellent family hike with good campsites. The trail is also popular with mountain bikers. The singletrack of the Ceran St. Vrain Trail is generally moderate. The trail follows the creek and is not too steep, but it can be narrow with a steep drop to the creek. There are a few rocky spots that may require dismounting if you are mountain biking. You should also remember that the Ceran St. Vrain Trail is uphill on the way back! The climb out of the creek is steep and rocky. The west fork at the four-wheel drive road junction leads up a steep road with loose rocks to Miller Rock which can be reached by a scramble up to an excellent view. The descent into Raymond is difficult. There is no through road access to Riverside. During winter, the Ceran St. Vrain Trail becomes the domain of snowshoers.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Length: One-Way: 1.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 0 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Easy

Description: Explore Medano Creek, flowing at the base of the dunes. During dry years, the creek disappears. In years of adequate snow and rainfall, the creek flows in April, May and June. Observe the creek closely. Do you see anything unusual Medano Creek exhibits a phenomenon called “surge flow.” Each time a surge occurs, a mound of sand (which had temporarily damned some of the water in the creek bed), collapses. If you’d like more information on surge flow, ask for a handout at the Visitor Center. Watch for animal tracks and signs of insect life in the damp sand there are 6 species of insects living in the dunes which are found nowhere else on earth!

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 2.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10500 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11300 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The wooded Mitchell Lake Trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness near the bridge across Mitchell Creek, then continues a half mile to Mitchell Lake on a good trail. It follows beside the lake, crossing a new bridge over the inlet. Another mile and a half of trail takes you up a steep slope, then along the creek in an open valley to Blue Lake, which lies at treeline below Mt. Toll (el. 12,979 feet), a cone-shaped pinnacle on the Continental Divide. After snow begins to fall, it is common to see snowshoers and backcountry skiers along the Mitchell Lake Trail. When snowy, it is very easy to lose the trail close attention is necessary.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Denver
Length: Round Trip: 5 miles
Trail type: Loop
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Coyote Song/Cathy Johnson Loop offers nice easy mountain biking over smooth trails. This loop is good for both the aspiring weekend warrior and families. The uphill sections are steep enough to give most riders a workout, but still short enough to keep beginners happy. Technically, the trails are about as easy as they get and the trails are well maintained. It’s an awesome place to enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors. Starting at the parking area, head north on the Coyote Song Trail. This trail climbs gradually for about 1.6 miles until it reaches the northern parking area. From this parking area, take the paved bike path northeast (heading downhill) for another 0.6 miles. Before you reach the bottom of the hill, take a right onto the Cathy Johnson Trail. This stretch of trail is a dirt road that climbs for a short distance and then descends for just under 2.2 miles back to Deer Creek Canyon Road. Once you get to the road, take a right and head up Deer Creek Canyon Road for 0.6 miles back to your car.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Length: One-Way: 7.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 12700 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: Take the Arapaho Pass Trail to the junction with Arapaho Glacier Trail and take a right. The Arapaho Glacier Trail leads northward from the junction, entering the Indian Peaks Wilderness before long. It climbs through the woods for about two miles, then comes out onto the open tundra with a fine view into the City of Boulder Watershed, including Silver Lake, Island Lake, Goose Lake and Triple Lakes. This is private property, do not trespass. After more switchbacks, the trail crosses a col to the south side. From here it is less traveled and can be obscure in places as it continues gently along the side of the ridge. At the highest point on the trail (6.0 miles from the trailhead), the hiker is offered a spectacular overlook of the Arapaho Glacier and the South Arapaho (el. 13,397 feet) and North Arapaho (el. 13,502 feet) Peaks. Although no official trail exists, it is possible to ascend South and North Arapaho Peaks by following the ridge above the glacier. (The climb to South is straightforward rock-hopping. From South to North, some scrambling is necessary and there is some exposure. This does not require technical climbing/equipment, but the narrow ridge is steep and rocky. Use caution!) Past the glacier overlook, the Arapaho Glacier Trail descends 1,300 feet down a series of switchbacks to intersect the Arapaho Pass Trail at the Fourth of July Mine. Arapaho Pass is 1.2 miles farther west. The Arapaho Glacier Trail is a spectacular snowshoe adventure for those looking to get out in winter.