Some Of The Greatest Places In Colorado To Venture For National Take A Hike Day

November 17th is National Take a Hike Day, and at Wilderness Aware Rafting, we even understand the need to get out of the boat from time to time and stretch our legs! And there is no better time nor place, than during the Fall season in Colorado.

With the changing of the surrounding colors, the brisk mountain air hinting that Winter is approaching, the snow tipped peaks in the distance, Fall hiking couldn’t be better anywhere else. So to help you decide where to go hiking, here is a list of some of the better spots you should check out. Of course before venturing out, ensure you know the area and have a map of the trails you intend to hike. Carry the essential equipment, and most importantly, enjoy it!

Indian Peaks Wilderness Area

Outside of Boulder lies the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. This area has some of the best back-country fishing around, and one trail specifically leads to the holy grail of fishing serenity, the East Portal Trailhead. This region has numerous lakes and a slew of smaller ponds to explore and fish in. All of which lay at the bottom of the mountain range which acts as the areas backdrop. Most notably there is Arapaho Lakes, Crater Lakes, Forest Lakes, Iceberg Lakes, Roger Pass Lake, and Heart Lake.

By coming here in the fall when its cooler, you will hopefully be able to avoid the hassle of the countless mosquitos which plague the area. Going in the dead of summer will bring you into direct conflict with these critters, but during the Fall they should be significantly more timid. Mosquitos or not, this area is stunning, fishing supreme, camping and camp fires allowed as well as dogs. Of course call in ahead of time to ensure this remains so, but this is certainly one of the greatest gems outside of Boulder hands down.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Outside of Estes Park lies Colorado’s most esteemed wilderenss area, the Rocky Mountain National Park. It comprises over 265,000 acres, 360 miles of hiking and riding trails, 60 peaks over 12,ooo feet, 150 lakes, and 450 miles of rivers and streams. The wildlife ranges from moose and bear to mountain lions, goats, and sheep. There’s no wonder countless stories, songs, and movies have been made with the Rocky Mountains as the over arching theme. When looking for beauty, peace and serenity, and countless activities to enjoy and partake in, the Rocky Mountain National Park is a grown-ups playground.

Sadly and fortunately, there is too much to cover to attempt to give you an idea of where to go here as really the whole areas an oyster and you can pluck the pearl wherever. Do your research as many areas take a while to get to, some require 4×4 access if you don’t want to hike in fully. But regardless of where you choose to go, there is no doubt you will be pleased with your choice.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Outside of Alamosa lies North America’s tallest set of Sand Dunes in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. They rise in sequence over 700 feet from the base of the San Luis Valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Surprisingly, the Sand Dunes host a wide variety of wildlife including Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep. Mountain Lions, Badgers, Beavers, Elk, Bison, and the Pronghorn. the Pronghorn is the fastest land animal in North America, with tops speeds over 55 mph and the ability to sustain a trot at 25 mph, these antelope like creatures are quick and nimble. You would no doubt find great delight in seeing them run around. They’re nimble, quick, and agile, which makes for quite the scene when they leap and bound over obstacle after obstacle.

There are two main trails that lead through the Sand Dunes with multiple smaller trails leading off of those. The Sand Dune Trail is only 2.5 miles round trip making for a relatively easy hike. While Exploring the Sand Sheet trail is 10.5 miles round trip and though this may seem like a long ways, when you want to see the Sand Dunes for what they are, this is the trail to take. The Sand Sheet holds 90% of the dune’s total sand mass. This entire region is unique to Colorado, and is a stark reminder that Colorado is in fact a high altitude desert, something many people either don’t know or understand.

Colorado National Monument 

Outside of Grand Junction lies Colorado National Monument. If you are looking for picturesque red-rock canyons, towering sandstone spires, tree-topped mesas, and the ability to hike along the Colorado River, than this area is for you. This region has the perfect set of colors which compliment each other in an absolutely ridiculous manner, and the rock formations that stand there are nothing short of awe inspiring. Standing atop one of the many saddles that look over one of the many canyons, you will notice every shade of green imagineable, as the elevation increases and becomes steeper, the green fades to wide range of reds, pinks and peaches which make up the sand stone. The layers continue up until the mesa tops where further vegetation grows. Finally, everything is usually capped with the magnificent blue which the signature of the Colorado sky.

Depending on what you hope to see and experience will dictate exactly where in the Colorado National Monument you should choose to visit. If you want to do some easy rock scrambling, hike to the top of a mesa, walk under arches, through canyons, or even bring your bike to bicycle the 23 mile Rim Rock Drive that connects the two entrances to this beautiful area, your possible choices are many and all wonderful. The hardest thing will be to decide on what to do.

Be Sure To Make A Trip While The Trip Is Possible

Hopefully this November 17th, you will take your friends, family, and loved ones out on a preferred trail to experience the allure and wonder of Colorado. Unless you like snowshoeing or skiing, your chance to do this is drifting away as winter approaches. So take this opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors while the weather is cool and the leaves are changing. Because soon enough it will be strictly ski season, and rest assured we’ll have some great winter snowshoeing/camping ideas for you then as well!

At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we understand how a proper family rafting vacation can create some of the best memories a person can have, after all, we have our testimonials to base that off of. If you are interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip, Denver Rafting, multi-day rafting trip, or want to try rafting the Salt River near Phoenix, AZ, please be sure to contact us and find out what white water rafting trips we have available.