Fall Hikes with Friends - Hiking Series

No trees, no shade, no hiding. Just a ridge and a lot of sky and great views!

Join us Saturday 10/3 for hike #3 in our Fall Hikes with Friends series, Mount Flora, starting from the top of Berthoud Pass.

This one is unusual and it is the reason it is on the calendar. You park at 11,300 feet and you are above treeline within ten minutes. No forest slog to earn the view, the view is the whole hike. The trail takes the old service road switchbacks up Colorado Mines Peak, then follows a wide open tundra ridge to a 13,146 foot summit. Nothing but rock, low alpine grass and a few wind-beaten pines the entire way, with the Divide running out in both directions.

📝 GAMEPLAN
9:00am: Meet at the carpool spot, Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride
9:10am: Depart for Berthoud Pass
10:15am: Boots on trail
12:15pm: Mount Flora summit, snacks and photos
2:15pm: Back at the cars
2:45pm: Optional stop in Empire or Idaho Springs for food

🥾 TRAIL NOTES
AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-flora-trail
Trailhead: Berthoud Pass parking lot on US-40, restrooms on site, free parking
Route type: Out-and-back
Distance: 6.4 miles
Elevation gain: 1,791 feet
High point: 13,146 feet
Time to complete: 4 to 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate on paper, harder in practice because of the altitude and exposure

The switchbacks at the start are the steepest part and they come while you are fresh. After that the ridge rolls. The trail gets faint past the ski area boundary but the route is obvious: follow the high ground. Colorado Mines Peak partway up is a legitimate summit on its own.

⚠️ ONE HONEST NOTE
Starting at 11,300 feet means you feel the altitude from the parking lot, not two hours in. If you have not been up high recently, hydrate hard the day before. There is no shame in stopping at Mines Peak.

🎒 WHAT TO BRING
A real windproof shell. This trail is known for wind and you are exposed the entire way, so wind gear matters more here than on anything else this season.
Gloves and a warm hat, yes, in early October.

• Hiking shoes/boots or closed toed shoes: Required
• Water: 2L+ Required
• Sunscreen: Yes
• Jacket: yes
• Beanie/gloves: Optional but recommended
• Snacks: recommended
• Headlamp: Optional
• Smiles: Definitely!

Dogs: We allow leashed, behaved dogs on our hikes. please confirm they're allowed on the trail, and message the organizer to let them know you're bringing a dog along.

🤝 HOW WE HIKE
We go at a conversational pace and regroup at every junction. Nobody gets dropped and nobody gets rushed.
Turning around early is always a fine call, and Colorado Mines Peak is a built-in one if the wind is howling or the altitude is not agreeing with you.
Come as you are. This is a group for people who like moving outside and talking about real things, not a race.

📌 RSVP & ATTENDANCE NOTE: this event is limited in attendance. Plans change, we get it. Please be respectful and update your RSVP >24h ahead of time if you cannot make it.

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