What we’re about
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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- THE WIND RIVER, STORM PASS AND GLACIER CREEK LOOP: ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKESTES PARK, ESTES PARK, CO
THE WIND RIVER, STORM PASS AND GLACIER CREEK LOOP IN RMNP
Hi Everyone,THE WIND RIVER, STORM PASS AND GLACIER CREEK LOOP is found outside the perimeters of the park itself but still a part of Rocky Mountain National Park.
I have learned you need a permit/reservation to enter the park in addition to paying an entrance fee unless you arrive before 9 AM or after 2 PM which would be very inconvenient especially as this is a fee free day. The traffic is going to be backed up so if you did make plans for a reservation or permit, you could very well not make it on time, not to mention elk taking their sweet time crossing the road before you arrive at the Beaver Meadows Entrance.
My plan was to hike a trail which included Sprague Lake where the trailhead is located but hiking this trail from outside the park will take us to Sprague lake and we’ll do the loop. It is a beautiful hike and one of my favorites on my top 10 list of hikes.
~ THIS HIKE IS OUTSIDE THE BORDERS OF ROCKY BUT IS A PART OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK~
~ DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON NATIONAL PARKS HIKING TRAILS.~
~ THIS HIKE IS AN EASY TO MODERATE LEVEL TRAIL WITH A 5.6 MILE DISTANCE AND 879 FT. ELEVATION GAIN~
~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.~The Wind River trail begins at the East Portal Trailhead just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, and adjacent to the Estes Park Campground at the East Portal. But if you are not staying in the campground (which sounds like one hell of a good idea!!!), then park at the lot just outside the campground entrance. Cross the street and pick up the East Portal Trail to the Big Thompson Water Project sign.The trail begins by crossing a meadow with nice views to the east and of the Mummy Range to the north. Look for Elk in this meadow…Especially the large Bulls.
From the East Portal trailhead, we’ll start off the climb by hiking up a somewhat steep incline. Once we reach the top of the incline, it is a gentle hike along the Wind River for a good portion of the trail. At the end of this trail, we’ll be taking a right onto The Storm Pass Trail for .7 miles then taking a right onto the Glacier Creek Trail or until we come to the junction of Glacier Creek and the unknown trail for about .3 miles to Sprague Lake and the campground. There we’ll sit for a spell and have lunch, take some photos and take in the beauty you’ll be seeing in front of you.Directions to the East Portal of Rocky Mountain National Park: Drive through the town of Estes Park until you come to a stop light (maybe the only stop light in Estes) with a art gallery called Indian Village on the corner, take a left and follow US-36 W to CO-66 in Larimer County where you'll want to take a left onto CO-66 then follow CO-66 to Tunnel Rd.
Once arriving at the Estes Park Campground, cross the street and pick up the East Portal Trail to the Big Thompson Water Project sign. The trail begins by crossing a meadow with nice views to the east and of the Mummy Range to the north. Look for Elk in this meadow...Especially that big sucker!
https://mikejacksonphotography.com/rmnp-bull-elk-g5-split-6-atlas/I look forward to hiking with you.
Don - COLORADO'S 149TH BIRTHDAY ROAD TRIP: CHAFFEE COUNTY, COLORADONeeds location
On August 1, 1876, 28 days after the Centennial of the United States on July 4, 1876, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation admitting the state of Colorado to the Union as the 38th state and earning it the moniker THE CENTENNIAL STATE.
Then one summer day in 1893 Katherine Lee Bates, an English teacher for Colorado College, decided to take a ride in a prairie wagon with some other teachers to the summit of 14,107-foot fourteener Pikes Peak. Near the top they had to leave the wagon and hike the rest of the way with mules. Ms. Bates would later recall, “I was very tired but when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonders of America seemed to be displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.” She hastily jotted down in her notebook what she was experiencing. Inspired by the majestic mountain’s view of the “Purple Rockies” and nearby “fruited plains,” she captured the moment in her notebook and eventually converted it into verse. In less than a few moments she had written the poem which would describe America and the beauty she absorbed within her spirit.
Two years later on July 4th, 1895 edition of ‘The Congregationalist’ featured her poem ‘America;’ in 1910 it was set to the music of Samuel A. Ward and formally published as ‘America the Beautiful.’ Its popularity incited massive petition drives to make it the national anthem of the United States. One of the most beloved patriotic songs ever written, ‘American the Beautiful’ is likely to be found in the back of every church hymnal in the United States.
As a born and raised native of Colorado I have for the past 16 years as a Meetup Organizer in some form have always put together a Colorado Birthday Road Trip. This year I’m planning to head in a different direction instead of Lake County and Park County. I'm going to shift gears into overdrive and head for Chaffee County. Buena Vista, Salida, Poncha Springs as well as Monarch Mountain.
This is not a complete event list of what I have planned but I believe those who are interested in going but who aren’t interested in dispersed camping need to make reservations for nearby campgrounds that require reservations, motels, hotels and hostels also.
I have contacted the Land of Bureau Management who have sent me information about dispersed campgrounds that do not allow RVs the size of aircraft carriers but instead to accommodate those who want to tent camp, small trailers such as pop-tops/teardrop campers and large vans. Several people have told me they need trees and not wide open spaces to accommodate large RVs…I hate to camp with no shade! This was quite apparent last year when we camped on Shrine Ridge Mountain Rd and on Guanella Pass.
This year I’ve made arrangements that we'll be camping near Poncha Springs which will be our center point between Salida and Buena Vista.
~I’m only sending this posting out because I know some of you need to make arrangements with your employer, school and other reasons to take some time off.~This is a website for those of you who feel the need for speed of a fantastic river rafting trip down Brown’s Canyon from Buena Vista to Salida: https://www.americanadventure.com/tour/browns-canyon-classic-tour/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADoKZWlVsFGMJUkReXlldKcBSrUtb&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqfABhBcEiwAZJjC3tra0Qd6tBs8feA5iVFk9G31TGBS2QKuuy6-GL-MTC83RLrESHJqlRoCEcwQAvD_BwE. The cost includes bringing you back to Buena Vista but I’ll be awaiting your arrival in Salida!!!
~Speaking of Salida, where you’re going to find me most of the time, this is a website informing what there is to do in one of my favorite places in Colorado. The breweries, concerts and other outdoor entertainment, more river rafting, kayak, paddle boating and other water sports. The town square is full of art displays and even has a water slide and hot springs. https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/this-quiet-city-in-the-rockies-is-an-underrated-gem-for-nature-lovers.html
~ Here in Chaffee County those who are into hiking the fourteeners are going to have a tough choice of which one(s) to choose from: Mt. Shavano, Antero, La Plata and of course the Collegiate Peaks nearby: Princeton and Shavano will be our back door when we camp.
I’ll be working on this road trip throughout the month of May and some of June. We have other places to go before then once I begin my seasonal camping and getaway group…I don’t even know what to call it yet!!!
Don’t forget to take some time off and make reservations for whatever you want to do.
MEMBERS 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 deathMore to come soon
Don
