What we’re about
NEW! Join our facebook group here!
Hello! As the name suggests, this is a group for people in Colorado who want to enjoy our great Trail network!
We are based out of Denver, and we will find and explore trails all up and down the front range!
We will put together hikes, trail runs, and other activities year-round, with various levels of difficulty. Whether you're novice or experienced, new to the area or native, if you're looking for a good group of people to enjoy hikes this is your place!
We will also do specific 'series' hikes including; Training for 14ers; Autumn Leaf Peeping; Snow Shoeing; Trails and Tacos and more!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- DISPERSED CAMPING: COUNTY RD. 48 TO DUNN DITCH ROAD: LEADVILLE, COLORADOCOUNTY RD 48, LEADVILLE, CO
~Members from: https://www.meetup.com/hittinthetrails/events/308883844/?notificationId=%3Cinbox%3E%2114142557-1751686125827&eventOrigin=notifications, https://www.meetup.com/colorado-campers/?eventOrigin=your_groups and https://www.meetup.com/colorado-trail/events/308883892/?eventOrigin=your_events will be attending this hike.
Check each group and get to know the members you meet today and who could very well become one of your best friends tomorrow!!!
~When Meetup members sign up and accept the Meetup Terms of Service, they are agreeing to the Release found in Section 6.2: This Release states that members attend events at their own risk, and release The Organizers, the assistant organizers and Meetup from any claims that may result in injury or death.
The dispersed camping area on County Rd 48/Dunn Ditch Rd is quite possibly the best camping area I’ve ever camped in. The area we'll be camping is a dispersed camping area where we have camped many times a year for the past 3-4 years. However, I've been up there a few times this year and the dirt roads that lead to the campsites are very rocky, loose rock and kinda narrow. There are open campsites with fantastic views of Mt. Elbert and Mt Massive then sites which are surrounded by trees with hardly any views, yet an awesome secluded area with a lot of solitude.
~This area is great for those who would like to head to Turquoise Lake to: Paddle Board, kayak or canoe
~For those who like to fish you’ll be close to Turquoise Lake, the Arkansas River, Crystal Lake and Twin Lakes. Crystal Lake is fly fishing only.
~Hiking: I have already posted a hike for The Timberline Lake Loop for Saturday but there is also the: Turquoise Lake Loop, Native Lake, Windsor Lake and the trail heading to Haggerman’s Tunnel. But taking a walk on County Rd 48/Dunn Ditch Rd is very relaxing and a good time to take a walk with others.
~In addition, we are only 20 minutes from Leadville, about 45 minutes from Twin Lakes
~to make sure medical services have easy access in case of an emergency medical situation
~and the towns and cities nearby to attend festivals and special events.~ You do not have to attend the entire weekend with us. Come and go as you please. This group is intended for everyone to go out and do whatever they want to do while they are here.
My written directions are probably a bit easier than figuring directions on a map or link
~Once you arrive a mile from Leadville you’ll come to the Safeway Store before heading into Leadville. From the parking lot take a right on Lake Cty 17 (Mountain View Rd). You’ll see a Taco Stand on your right and a Taco Bell to the left. The Taco Stand on your right has some of the best tacos you’ll ever taste. Pick up a few for the remainder of the trip to the campground
~Continue your drive down Mountain View Rd/CTY Rd 17 until you arrive at the crossroads of Lake Cty 17 and Lake Cty 9 take a left until you come to Lake Cty 4 then take a RIGHT, across the railroad tracks then continue until you come to a cluster of roads coming together. The paved road is Turquoise Lake Rd the other is a dirt road CTY RD 48/DUNN DITCH RD. which is the one you'll take up towards the campsites.I’d have to say about .7 miles you’ll come to an very large area about the size of 3-4 football fields side by side…You don’t want to go there instead continue up the dirt road until you come to a pukish greenish-yellow winter gate where you’ll want to take a left as it’s the only way you can go. On the right hand side you’ll come to a road where you'll see a sign that tells you not to enter as it’s a private residence road. Once you make the left hand turn from where you see the winter gate, continue on County RD 48 use the pinpoint map to Dunn Ditch Rd. Continue until you see my Colorado State Flag.
I’ll do my best to pinpoint the area on the Google map. If I don’t hit the target you can bet it’s going to be close. Just look for my Colorado State Flag.
Be sure to pick-up forgotten groceries at Safeway and pick-up some tacos.
Have a good day everyone and drive safely.
Don - THE TIMBERLINE LAKE LOOP: LEADVILLE, COLORADOTurquoise Lake Rd, Leadville, CO
The Timberline Lake Loop has always been a very spiritual and a bit sacred hike for me. I have hiked it every year since 2017. It is known for being a high mountain lake with spectacular views. The hike travels through beautiful high meadows and large rock falls. The scenery helps make it feel like a quick trip on the steady ascent up to the lake.
Another bonus is that, unlike many trails to lakes in Colorado, this one doesn't require miles of bone-jarring travel on dirt roads to reach the trailhead.
The Timberline Lake Loop is a 5.5 mile loop moderate trail with a starting and ending elevation of 10,038 ft with an elevation gain of 855 ft. There are a few creek crossings, none of which have bridges so it can involve getting your feet wet in early season so pack in a couple pairs of socks.
The Timberline lake trail starts with the Colorado Trail. After the initial short section with the Colorado Trail, the Timberline Lake Trail will head up along Lake Fork Creek at a well-marked intersection. The trail essentially follows the creek the entire way up to Timberline Lake where the trail accesses the beautiful Holy Cross Wilderness soon after intersecting with the Colorado Trail once again.
Here we’ll be sitting almost on top of the Continental United States.
~Bring water and food to eat
~Socks
~Sunscreen and everything else you would normally bring on a hike including sunglasses.
~A camera would come in handyFor those who would like to campout, I’ll be posting a dispersed area near where we’ll be hiking. The link for my camping group is: https://www.meetup.com/colorado-campers/?eventOrigin=your_groups
Or if you would like to spend the weekend in the highest city on the Continental United States there are reserved campgrounds (Sugar Loafin’) and only one hotel I know of in Leadville. I believe it’s called the Rodeway ($129 per night) and the In the Clouds Hostel and Inn ($90 per night) . It's why I prefer dispersed camping!
This trail, as I wrote, is very spiritual and sacred to me as well being one the most gorgeousI really do hope to see you there
Drive Safe,
Don - ROAD TRIP: NATHROP, CO.- ST. ELMOS, HIKE CTY RD. 294 AND AGNES VAILLE FALLSNATHROP, CO, buena vista, CO
* 4/30/2025 I have made a minor tweak and added another waterfall hike which is walking distance from Agnes Vaille WaterFalls.
~HIKING AGNES VAILLE TRAIL TO AGNES VAILLE FALLS:The trail to Agnes Vaille Falls Begins from a roadside trailhead. The hike used to be a 1.2 mile out-and-back trip. Now, the upper segment is closed, so hikers are directed to take the approximately 1-mile loop hike on the Cascade Creek trail that still offers a great view of the waterfalls. We will follow the USFS regulations in this area as posted on the signage. The falls are very beautiful and photogenic but the area of the trail may still be unstable and should not be hiked. We will not be allowed to hike within the perimeter of the trail borders.
~After the Agnes Vaille Trail hike we’ll leave our vehicles where they are and walk .5 miles to the trailhead of CASCADE FALLS where we’ll see the falls from the roadside but we’ll head on down on the social trail to the creekbed for a better look and photo taking. Then we’ll walk back to our vehicles and head on to St. Elmo Ghost Town.
~St. Elmo, one of the most well preserved ghost towns in Colorado, was founded in 1880. Built around mining, the town hit its prime in 1890. With over 150 mine claims, a telegraph office, general store, five hotels, dance halls, a newspaper office and a schoolhouse, the population peaked at about 2,000 people.
Though it was first called Forest City, the small town's name was changed when the post office objected because there were too many towns with the same name. The new name was derived by Griffith Evans, one of the founders, who was reading a romantic nineteenth century novel by the same name.
The St. Elmo General Store is one of the few ghost town stores still open and in operation and will be open when we arrive. The store is a mom-and-pop shop known for its antiques and souvenirs. It operates seasonally, typically from early May through the end of September. Be sure to buy some snacks for the chipmunks!~HIKING ST. ELMO COUNTY ROAD 294: Those who would like to hike St. Elmo County Road 294 towards Tin-Cup Pass. We'll begin the hike in the town of St. Elmo. The town of Tin Cup is 12 miles away but let’s make it a 4.5 mile hike out and back with an elevation gain of only 305 ft. The scenery is fantastic with views of several fourteeners, valleys and other canyons. This hike is known for its photography.
This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. As always, we’ll make sure to be aware of our surroundings and cautious of others, especially those who take Jeeps and other 4X4 vehicles on this road.
After the hikes and St Elmo, we'll head on into Nathrop for some grub which is included within the 10AM to 4PM time slot. Then it's onto Salida or wherever you all may want to go for some night time entertainment!
I think that about does it for a day in Chaffee County, Colorado
I hope to see you in St. Elmos!
Drive Carefully,
DonMEMBERS FROM BOTH: https://www.meetup.com/colorado-trail/ AND https://www.meetup.com/hittinthetrails/?eventOrigin=your_groups WILL BE ATTENDING THIS HIKE!
This Release states that members attend events at their own risk, and release The Organizers, the assistant organizers and Meetup from any claims that may result in injury or death
Events in buena vista, CO - KEYSTONE GULCH ROAD to THE COLORADO TRAIL via WEST RIDGE TRAIL: KEYSTONE, CO.Keystone Gulch Trailhead, Keystone, CO
KEYSTONE GULCH ROAD to COLORADO TRAIL via WEST RIDGE TRAIL
I’m just throwing this out there in case Keystone still has snow for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. I wouldn’t know but while Keystone doesn't have permanent, naturally occurring snowfields, their combination of natural snowfall and snowmaking provides a reliable and consistent snow experience during the winter season and even allows for some snow activities during the summer.This is not a hiking trail but a snowshoe/cross skiing route. Yet, it would be a nice stroll to go on before the Long Run Concert (The Music of the Eagles) at the Dillon Amphitheater. So, let’s walk next to one another instead of behind or in front of one another and have a Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling kind of hike.
The Keystone Gulch Road is an easy to moderate 6.4 mile stroll to and from the Colorado Trail via the West Ridge Trail with a starting elevation of 9,265 ft and highest elevation of 10, 230 with an elevation gain of 1,000 ft. No avalanche danger.
Though Keystone Gulch Road is located in Keystone many of you may follow the directions below and drive through the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel into Dillon and go from there but I suggest you take the scenic route and head over Loveland Pass. What a trip!!! If you have never been to the summit of Loveland Pass you’re going to be very happy that you did…believe me! Maybe later this year we’ll hike from the summit of Loveland pass to the summit of Mount Sniktau.
DIRECTIONS: From interstate 70 at Silverthorne, take exit 205 then drive southeast on U.S. 6 for 5.5 miles. Turn right at the first stoplight into the Keystone Resort and stay left then turn right onto Soda Ridge Road. Follow Soda Ridge Road for 0.4 mile and then turn left onto the unpaved Keystone Gulch Road. Drive up the road for 0.1 mile and park on the left just before the open gate and the Forest Service kiosk. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH THE OPEN GATE.
You can only access this trailhead when the snow is gone for the season since the ski resort manages a gate at the start of the road. The road ascends gradually as the road snakes up the valley through the forest. The trail ends at an intersection with the Colorado Trail. If we go just a couple hundred feet to the north on the CT, we’ll come to a bald spot on the trail that offers awesome views of the surrounding area.
~Members from both https://www.meetup.com/hittinthetrails/?eventOrigin=your_groups AND https://www.meetup.com/colorado-trail/?eventOrigin=your_groups will be attending.~
~Disclaimer: By signing up for and participating in this event you are acknowledging that you are aware of risks, dangers, and hazards and fully assume responsibility for your own safety, and further agree to release and discharge the organizers of this event from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest’s participation in the group activities.~I will be putting together a camping trip for this hike in Keystone and for the Long Run Concert in Dillon. Here’s the link to my Camping and Getaways Group. If you’re already a member of High Country Camping and Getaways you’re doing okay!!! https://www.meetup.com/colorado-campers/?eventOrigin=your_groups
Hopefully I’ll see you before September 1st 2025
Don
