Local hiking experts agree that with hundreds of acres of wilderness surrounding us, we really do live in a backpackers paradise. Date Hiked: August 19, 2018 Distance: 6 mi (RT) . Unless youre doing a high-ridge hike or one of the 14ers, those are the places you have to worry about water a little bit more, he said. This hike begins from the Maroon Bells Scenic Area in Aspen Highlands. There is no rope or rail to aide in the causeway crossing so use caution and proceed at your own risk. You can do this hike in a day, but for a more relaxed trip and more time to spend looking at the awesome views you will likely want to stick around. The Ute tribe has lived on the land now known as Colorado (along with parts of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming) since time immemorial. 2021Outdoor Project. With more than 22 million acres of public land, you can find waterfalls, summit views, plenty of wildlife, wildflowers, and more on the trails in Colorado. Not a cloud in the sky to start the day. all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and Enjoy expansive wilderness and peaceful solitude in Colorado's Flat Tops. Colorado Wilderness is looking ahead and forward to the fresh, In 2023 and 2024, Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides will conduct a range of avalanche classes. All meals are prepared by your guide and we provide nearly all the gear. Its about nourishment and learning. Eventually the sun came out around the time I arrived at Johnny Meyers Lake. Terri Nighswonger and her husband Todd are full-time RVers and work campers. Immensely touched by the scenery, Carhart returned to his superiors and convinced them that they should abandon the project and set aside the land for protection. Heading out the door? (They) do take some of the load off your knees and ankles.. The park's runner-up is Devil's Causeway, Skinny Fish and Trappers Lake Loop, which will get you 5,603 ft of elevation gain. Colorado has many amazing outdoor and wilderness gems, but the Flat Top Wilderness Area, located in White River National Forest is truly a gem. When hiking, bells or noisemakers arent necessary, as bears will usually smell or hear you long before you reach them and leave the area. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team. If youre looking for a long-distance trail, the Colorado Trail is a big one. The following morning drying out my gear with the small amount of sun I was blessed with. However, the smells and views of wildflower meadows along the way make it all worth it. When camping, never sleep near your food and always hang it and your trash from a tree in a bear-safe container. But, with one or two of these in your pocket, youre ready to enjoy your next Colorado backcountry adventure. Youll earn the burn early, humping 1,000 vertical feet in 2 miles, then amble an easy mile to the side-by-side lakes teeming with trout. You will have great views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Mosquito Range. Sweetwater Reservoir and my ride back to civilization the next morning. Plus, waking up in an alpine meadow chock full of wildflowers is beyond the scope of the imagination. The Flat Top Wilderness Area is Colorados 2nd largest wilderness, designated in 1975 by Congress, is arguably one of the states best and most secluded wilderness experiences. The Chinese Wall Trail, a 17.5-mile thru-hike, traverses the length of this majestic mountain feature. The solution: hands in pants as I continued to walk upward. I departed the lonesome Turret Creek trailhead around 5:30 p.m. near Sweetwater Reservoir with high hopes that Id be walking into the woods without too much of a monsoon season soaking. Colorado is famous for its stunning mountain landscapes many people know of the splendor of Rocky Mountain National Park. Its about protecting what sustains us. On this hike, you will also need to make sure you have shuttle arrangements unless you want to hike back to the Crested Butte trailhead. From a distance, the Flat Tops could be mistaken for the setting of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles 1912 classic The Lost World, in which dinosaurs roam cloud-penetrating mesas in a land that time forgot. The town of Nederland has a free shuttle to the trailhead. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. If you were to slip on an algae-covered rock, and the waters running high, that pack could submerge you into the water, she said. When you visit the Flat Tops Wilderness, you may witness elk, deer, mountain lion, mink, ptarmigan, marmot, and moose wandering the high landscape. Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest. Trappers Lake valley begins to open up to my west and Parvin Lake can be seen below. Luckily in Colorado, we dont have a lot of predators, he said. If youre on the Front Range and looking for a few nights out nearby, the Pawnee-Buchanan Loop serves up the goods. Its a good spot for beginners who want to push the envelope in length and elevation change. Blue Lakes Trail starts climbing from Dallas Creek and continues with alternating stretches of moderately steep climbs to flat recovery. Sheer volcanic cliffs rise to lofty heights, surrounding the shoreline and adding to the lakes rugged, yet lush scenery. The lower elevation means it is good for early and late-season outings. Take a refreshing dip in Lost Lake. With a three foot wide trail at its narrowest, and 80 foot cliffs falling away on either side, Flat Tops Wilderness may not be one for the beginner backpacker, but it does not require a permit. On my way in, just outside the Wilderness boundary I crossed the paths of two men on horseback. After the land bridge the people drop off and you have just a cruiser for the rest by yourself. By IntrepidXJ in forum Offroad 4x4, Side by Side and ATV, By Udink in forum Offroad 4x4, Side by Side and ATV, Backpacking The Flat Tops Wilderness (Colorado). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These 10,000- to 12,354-foot-high tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. enjoy the natural world. She said on the trail you can also decide to camp and hike the additional 3 miles to the remote Gore Lake. Adding to your standard gear of pack, bedroll, rain gear, you will also need to be properly prepared with items such as: Also, know that your cell phone is not likely to have a signal when you are in the wilderness. At 486 miles, this route starts in Denver and runs to Durango. Which trail has the most elevation gain in Flat Tops Wilderness? There is no where else like it on earth. Start by taking short, regular day trips and increase your distance each time you go out. Bears have a nose thats 100 times more sensitive than a humans, and, if they find food, theyll often come back for more. A more moderate challenge is a hike to Twin Lakes to get views of the mountains surrounding the valley. Monsoon rain came in shortly after 3:00 p.m. today which came to fruition right after I chose the final night of camp. Only 11 miles completed this day (Saturday). Soon you will be out there discovering trails on your own. An easy going trail and a little solitude. His passionate writings and outcries eventually led to the Wilderness Act of 1964. hiking vacations that enrich people's lives." This trail is 6.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,637 ft. My attention began to wander away from the present and the prospect of spending the next five days submerged in Wilderness. In 1920, the Colorado militia had to be called in to quell the Battle of Yellowjacket Pass a skirmish that took place between the towns of Craig and Meeker. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. At the end of the day, youll have a hot wash to scrub away all the sweat and mud. This whole bench is amazing for scenery and I spend a good time looking off the ledge. Try some easy hikes and work up to the more difficult ones. Youll explore elevations from 7,600 to almost 13,000 feet, large subalpine meadows, and forests of aspen, spruce, and fir. Headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, and dizziness are a few of the symptoms of altitude sickness. When the isolated ice blocks finally melt, they leave behind a water-filled depression known as a kettle lake. The uphill climb is difficult but once above the tree line, the views are amazing. However, camping up top and hiking along the cliff band will leave you breathless. Once on top you'll find moderate striding across rolling tundra. Of course, you will need lightweight gear for your hikes such as a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? There youll pick up Island Lake Trail and head west for a rendezvous with Deer Lake Trail. ;-) From my perspective near Road Lake it looked like nothing but cows,cows and more cows! The uphill climb is difficult but once above the tree line, the views are amazing. Id advise goin counter clockwise and getting the steep part done first. Due to the rolling terrain, it is sometimes hard to know where the edge of a snowdrift is, and areas are often undercut. You will find plenty of solitude here, though. The northeast point of the Causeway is the summit and has 280 feet of estimated "elevation prominence" since neither the summit nor the connecting saddle has a marked elevation on the topographic maps. Updated: January 7, 2022. A clearly defined trail which is protected by willows. It begins about half a mile from the Ripple Creek Pass summit. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. At 14 miles, the hike takes two to three days depending on your pace. This trail is estimated to be 47.7 mi long. The Devil's Causeway has been on my hiking to-do list for years. Driving up to the Grand Mesa is a worthy experience all on its own. 2006 colorado river management plan national park service. Gilliland said a backpackers biggest woe is blisters, but there are ways to prevent your feet from killing you after only a few hours on the trail. On this route, you will see wildflowers in the spring and many moose and elk. For the reasons stated above, I eventually lost the true trail and began to ponder. It is patrolled regularly by park rangers. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Longtime local hiker Mary Ellen Gilliland, author of both The Vail Hiker and the The Summit Hiker, has blazed the trail for backpackers in the area for decades, literally. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. While the loop can be hiked more quickly, it's enjoyably done over three days, especially if you have in mind adding in another three miles or so roundtrip to take a side hike up 11,879-foot Big. Allowing you time to properly explore the area and take in its treasures, it also affords a wonderful night sky sleeping 11000 feet closer to the stars. Login or become a member to post in the member forums! The Flat Tops Wilderness offers some of the most remote and biologically rich backcountry travel in the Rockies. The rain gear had been busted out early. Roughly 100 miles of fishable streams are in the Wilderness. All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC 2023, California: Yosemite, Death Valley & More, Montana / Wyoming: Yellowstone, Tetons & More. The attitude you bring is almost as important as the equipment, he said. This hike from Crested Butte to Aspen is one of the more popular trails leading you to views of the Raggeds and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness areas. The Flat Tops are a nature-lovers paradise with vibrant wildlife habitat, amazing wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, fascinating natural and cultural history, and a plethora of panoramic views that will awe even the most experienced of mountain travelers. Little Causeway Lake, an example of a kettle lake, showcases the areas glacial past. Either way, the routes are quite technical, scrambly, and require a bit of tenacity. The trail follows the west side of the Dallas Creek drainage until it reaches the lake. Thanks for the comment. Looking for a more strenuous hike? The best time to go is from late June to early September. Devil's Causeway, Skinny Fish and Trappers Lake Loop boasts the most elevation gain for backpacking trails with 5,603 ft of total ascent. Youll be hiking at elevations nearing 12,000 and at times it feels as though you are trekking through some kingdom in the sky. About a mile and a half hike from the East Fork trailhead, Little Causeway is often a resting spot for those making the trek up to the Devils Causeway. Backcountry Tenkara Fishing. Instead of being somewhere in the wilderness suffering, you can make adjustments in your own neighborhood while you practice and get prepared. Wildland Trekking provides 2 different multi-day hiking and backpacking adventures in the Flat Tops. What is the longest trail in Flat Tops Wilderness? 14 miles came and went quick this day. Had you kept on going from Hooper it would have not gotten much better! *Unfortunately my camera had been acting up a bit and I came away a little disappointed in the quality of some of the photos.*. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,650 AllTrails community reviews. Backcountry camping is allowed on Lower Blue Lake. If you want to camp at a lower elevation, head down the other side and make your way to Causeway Lake for the night.