What we're about
This hiking group is all about hiking for fun and fitness, so our goal is to hike at a moderately brisk pace (2.5-3 mph on hikes with elevation gain and 3-4 mph on flatter hikes) and of course have fun! We hike mainly on weekday mornings, but there may be some weekends during the winter when trails are less busy. So if you are an intermediate hiker that enjoys hiking in the morning, join us on some great hikes!
The fees that I pay to meetup to host this group are $14.99 per month. If you come to a lot of my hikes and would like to help me pay the meetup fees, I appreciate any donations to help with fees. However there is no requirement to help out. More important to me than the fees is having hiking partners!
For weather forecasts, here is a great website. You can get forecasts for parks, mountains, etc: https://www.weather.gov/
You should also consider carrying the 10 essentials on hikes. Here is a link to the 10 essentials: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
I strongly encourage you to purchase a CORSAR card. We are well served by dedicated volunteer search and rescue teams. By purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card you are contributing to the Search and Rescue Fund, that reimburses teams for costs incurred in search and rescues activities across the State of Colorado. The CORSAR card is available for $3 for a one-year card and $12 for five-year card at the following website: https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-programs/search-and-rescue-fund
I have a liability waiver that must be signed before attending an event. The waiver can be found in meetup at the following link: https://www.meetup.com/Littleton-Walking-For-Health/about/
Note that if you are using the meetup app on a pad or phone, you cannot get to the above link. You must be using meetup on the web at meetup.com to access the waiver. You may print it from the link above, sign it, and bring it with you to your first event. Or I will have copies with me at the trailhead. If you choose to sign it at the trailhead, please arrive to the event early so that we can depart on time for the hike. Thanks.
Upcoming events (4)
Difficulty: Moderate Plus - about 11.5 miles with about 2300 feet elevation gain. Starting elevation is 10,500 and ending elevation is just shy of 12,000. It has been a couple years since I’ve done this hike, but my recollection is that there is some rock scrambling required to get to the upper lake.
Also the group will hike together for the hike, but on this out and back hike, the last 1-1.5 miles back to the trailhead is all up. So hikers will go at their own pace for this last stretch…and the group will split up. So I recommend having your own map or paying attention at the start so you know the route back in case you are hiking alone.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: This challenging hike will take us up to two high mountain lakes (Lower and Upper Chicago Lakes) with amazing views of the Mt. Evans Wilderness area. We will also take the side trail to the waterfall on the way back from the upper lake. The trail has a lot of character: steep areas, massive cliff walls, and expansive meadows. After reaching Lower Chicago Lake, the trail steepens considerably up the rock face separating the two lakes to Upper Chicago Lake. But the strenuous climb will award us with a commanding view over Lower Chicago Lake. See the following hike in Alltrails, except we will NOT be going all the way to Summit Lake: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/chicago-lakes-trail
ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Echo Lake trailhead. To get there, you can either click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use google maps, you can type in “Echo Lake”. If using Apple Maps, you can type in “Echo Lake Park” for directions. If driving up from Idaho Springs, trailhead parking is right before Echo Lake.
IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellant, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.
REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.meetup.com/Littleton-Walking-For-Health/pages/32295290/New_Liability_Waiver/
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.
- Deb B.
- Wendy
- Durwin
- 9 attendees
SHRINE RIDGE TRAIL…PLUS
DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS TRAIL AND LIMITED PARKING, I AM KEEPING THE GROUP FOR THIS HIKE SMALL.
Hikes that are scheduled weeks in advance are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Difficulty: Moderate: about 7+ miles with 1,200+ feet elevation gain. Starting elevation is about 11,500 feet.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: With panoramic views of the Gore Range and Holy Cross Wilderness...Shrine Ridge is one of the most incredible wildflower spots in the state of Colorado. Last year we saw the most beautiful field of every color of Indian paintbrush. We will do the following alltrails hike, but since it is rather short, we will add on an out and back hiking trail that leads south…I will post the actual trail in photos: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/shrine-ridge-trail
ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Shrine Ridge Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use google maps, you can type in “Shrine Pass Parking”. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Shrine Pass” for directions.
IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.
REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.meetup.com/Littleton-Walking-For-Health/pages/32295290/New_Liability_Waiver/
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.
- Deb B.
- Sherry S
- Wendy
- 8 attendees
I have hiked to Diamond Lake a couple times, but have never gone all the way to Upper Diamond Lake. Last time we started that way and the wildflowers and views were wonderful…so let’s go all the way this time. This will be a more strenuous hike….so please only faster stronger hikers.
DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS TRAIL AND LIMITED PARKING, I AM KEEPING THE GROUP FOR THIS HIKE SMALL.
Hikes that are scheduled weeks in advance are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous: about 9 miles with 2,000+ feet elevation gain.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: This is a hike west of Nederland that leads to high alpine lakes nestled in the forest below Jasper Peak in Indian Peaks Wilderness. The demanding trail leads to Diamond Lake, past a waterfall and multiple cascades, and opens up to the incredible views that make Colorado’s high-country famous. This year we will continue up to Upper Diamond Lake. NOTE THAT A 4WD VEHICLE IS RECOMMENDED TO GET TO TRAILHEAD. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/upper-diamond-lake
ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: Because the 4th of July Trailhead is a very busy trailhead and because AWD and clearance are recommended, we will meet at the Nederland Middle-Senior High School and carpool from there. To get to the school, if you use google maps, you can type in “Nederland Middle/Senior High School” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Nederland Middle-Senior High School” for directions.
IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.
REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.meetup.com/Littleton-Walking-For-Health/pages/32295290/New_Liability_Waiver/
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.
- Deb B.
- Wendy
- marge
- 9 attendees
LODGING: FYI, here is the breakdown by person:
Gunnison KOA: Nick, Kathy, Pam, Chris
Gunnison Inn: Bonnie
Old Town Inn (downtown Crested Butte): Deb, Patty, Kim & Ken, DeLana, Cindy, Vici, Debbi, Becky
The Grand Lodge on Crested Butte Mountain: Wendy
Airbnb on Crested Butte Mountain: Paula
Lake Irwin Campground: Sherry & Tad
Rosy Lane Campground: Jane
MONDAY HIKE - MEET AT TRAILHEAD AT 6:45AM - WEST MAROON BELLS PASS TRAIL (8 miles & 2200 feet elevation gain). See the trail on alltrails here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/west-maroon-bells-pass. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link and click directions. If you use Google maps, you can type in “West Maroon Trail Head” for directions. WE WILL MEET AT THE TRAILHEAD AT 6:45am. The entire group will do the same hike, but to the extent we have hikers who prefer to hike at a faster pace and some who prefer a more leisurely pace, we will split into 2 groups where I will host the faster group and Nick will host the more leisurely group.
CARPOOL FROM GUNNISON: Nick will carpool the 5 people staying in Gunnison to the trailhead (Kathy, Pam, Chris, Bonnie). Meet him at the Gunnison KOA office for 5am departure. The Gunnison KOA is at 105 County Road 50.
CARPOOL FROM CRESTED BUTTE: Sherry & Tad and Wendy & Paula will drive to The Old Town Inn and meet up with the 9 people staying at The Old Town Inn for the carpool. Meet at The Old Town Inn at 5:15am. The Old Town Inn is at 708 6th Street.
Jane will carpool herself to the trailhead as she will likely end the hike early.
TUESDAY HIKE - MEET AT VISITORS CENTER AT 6:00AM - THREE HIKE CHOICES.
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Rustler’s Gulch (9 miles & 1800 feet elevation gain). Reviews on alltrails indicate multiple creek crossings so waterproof boots and Teva-type sandals in your pack may be helpful. See AllTrails here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/rustlers-gulch. Nick will host this hike. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link and click directions. The road to this hike is especially rugged with a potential creek crossing per alltrails reviews so definitely an AWD vehicle with clearance will be necessary. Per recent reviews on alltrails, there are downed trees and you cannot access the trailhead and have to park on the road and hike the “road from hell” to get to the trailhead. If the trees are not removed, Nick may cancel this hike. This hike is about a 40 minute drive from Crested Butte.
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Copper Creek Trail to Copper Lake (12 miles & 2400 feet). AllTrails here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/the-copper-creek-trail-to-copper-lake. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link and click directions. If you use Google maps, you can type in “Judd Falls/Copper Creek Trailhead” but from there go up the side road to the smaller upper trailhead parking area that you can see on alltrails map. To the extent there is parking available at that smaller upper trailhead, we will park there for the hike. However per recent alltrails review, you need AWD with clearance to get to the smaller upper trailhead. The hike itself has 5 creek crossings and some could be over your shoes, so waterproof boots and Teva-type sandals in your pack may be helpful. This hike is about a 35 minute drive from Crested Butte.
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Snodgrass Mountain (5.8 miles & 1600 feet). See alltrails here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/snodgrass-mountain-trail. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link and click directions. If you use Google maps, you can type in “Snodgrass Trailhead” for directions. This hike looks like any car can get to the trailhead and is only a few minutes from Mount Crested Butte.
We will all meet at the Crested Butte Visitors Center Public Parking Lot (601 Elk Ave) at 6am and jump into cars for the carpool. You can decide that morning which of the 3 hikes you prefer to do. I understand this is a free public parking lot at the Visitors Center, but there may be limited parking…so if you can, please walk or carpool to the visitors center unless you plan to be a driver. It is only a 7 minute walk from Old Town Inn. Keep in mind that AWD is recommended to most all of the trailheads and the road to Rustlers Gulch is especially rough. But it does look like the drive to Snodgrass Mountain can be done in any car. Those with AWD and clearance should consider driving to the Visitors Center so that we have enough AWD clearance cars to get to the trailheads.
IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, hiking shoes/boots, Teva-type shoes for creek crossings, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, hiking poles, and anything else you deem essential.
- Deb B.
- Patty H
- Wendy
- 19 attendees
Past events (357)
- Deb B.
- DeLana
- Lori
- 4 attendees
