About us
Gay Men Hike Colorado is a hiking community for gay men who genuinely enjoy hiking and want to meet other guys who do too.
We hike year round across Colorado, from the Front Range and beyond, with solid day hikes, big mountain days, 13ers, 14ers, and occasional backpacking trips. Most events involve meaningful mileage and elevation gain, so this is less a social group that happens to hike and more a hiking group where friendships happen naturally.
Come for the mountains, be ready for the miles, meet some good people, and keep showing up.
Looking for a broader LGBTQ+ outdoor community? Colorado has several great queer hiking and outdoor groups, and we're happy to see so many ways to find community outside.
✨ We shamelessly use generative AI for marketing including: headlines, trip descriptions and images.
Upcoming events
5
Gore Lake (SAT 26 SEP)
Denver International Airport (DEN), 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249, USA, Denver, CO, USJoin us for this day hike near Vail, Colorado!
Gore Lake, tucked high in the Eagles Nest Wilderness near Vail, offers a demanding alpine trek featuring dramatic, cathedral-like views of the jagged Gore Range. The trail follows the roaring waters of Gore Creek through vibrant aspen groves and evergreen forests before pitching upward into a punishing, root-and-rock climb to a pristine, sapphire basin resting beneath towering granite spires.
RSVP OPENS: September 21st at 12:00 pm
✅ START HIKING: 7:30 am
TRAIL RATING: 🔴 Endurance
HIKE STATS: 13 miles round trip | 2,900 feet of elevation gain
HIKING TIME: 8 hours + breaksTRAILHEAD:
LOCATION: GOOGLE MAP LINK
MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/UQFC61SCARPOOLING (strongly encouraged):
Wooly Mammoth Park-N-Ride
18560 U.S. Hwy 40, Golden, CO 80401
Section CC
DRIVE TIME: 1 hour 45 min
START DRIVING: 6:15 AMNOTEABLES:
Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
🐶Dogs are fine as long as they can keep up.⚠️ BE PREPARED:
We’re a community of peers, not guides. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, gear, fitness, and ability to complete the hike independently.Hosts are there to anchor the group by making sure everyone meets at the right place and time so we can head out together. They are not guides or responsible for keeping anyone on pace. If you can’t keep up with the group, you must be prepared to continue independently or turn back.
Need to check your gear? REI’s Hiking Checklist is a great resource.
A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join Gay Men Hike Colorado. We'd love to have them.
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 7 people to ensure a more intimate, close-knit experience for everyone.
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: If you miss 2 events without 48 hours notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
TRAIL READY:
Trail-ready means capable, self-sufficient, physically fit for the terrain, and prepared for the conditions. Choose trips that match your current fitness and comfort with distance, elevation, and terrain. It's better to finish strong than struggle through.TRAIL RATINGS:
🟢 Active ~ 5–7 miles, 3-4 hours, moderate elevation (1,000–2,000 ft). Uneven terrain, steady movement, possible stream crossings. You can hike continuously uphill without frequent long breaks.🟡 Vigorous ~ 7–10 miles, 4-6 hours, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000 ft). Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings. You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending.
🔴 Endurance ~ 10+ miles, 6-8 hours, and/or significant
elevation gain (3,000 ft+). Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel. You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day.Hiking times are approximate moving times and do not include extended breaks.
1 attendee
Mount Audubon 13er (SUN 4 OCT)
Denver International Airport (DEN), 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249, USA, Denver, CO, USJoin us for this day hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness!
Mount Audubon (13er) offers an iconic Colorado high-alpine experience with sweeping panoramic views of the Continental Divide. The trail climbs above the timberline into dramatic tundra terrain.
RSVP OPENS: September 15th at 12:00 pm
✅ START HIKING: 9:00 am
TRAIL RATING: 🟡 Vigorous
HIKE STATS: 7.8 mile round trip | 2,700 feet of elevation gain
HIKING TIME: 6 hours + breaksTRAILHEAD: Mitchell Lake Trailhead (Brainard Lake)
LOCATION: GOOGLE MAP LINK
MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/Q9MSE0ACARPOOLING (strongly encouraged):
US 36 and Sheridan Station
5025 W 88th Pl, Westminster, CO 80003
DRIVE TIME: 1 hour 30 min
START DRIVING: 7:30 AMNOTEABLES:
Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
🐶Dogs are fine as long as they can keep up.⚠️ BE PREPARED:
We’re a community of peers, not guides. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, gear, fitness, and ability to complete the hike independently.Hosts are there to anchor the group by making sure everyone meets at the right place and time so we can head out together. They are not guides or responsible for keeping anyone on pace. If you can’t keep up with the group, you must be prepared to continue independently or turn back.
Need to check your gear? REI’s Hiking Checklist is a great resource.
A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join Gay Men Hike Colorado. We'd love to have them.
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 7 people to ensure a more intimate, close-knit experience for everyone.
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: If you miss 2 events without 48 hours notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
TRAIL READY:
Trail-ready means capable, self-sufficient, physically fit for the terrain, and prepared for the conditions. Choose trips that match your current fitness and comfort with distance, elevation, and terrain. It's better to finish strong than struggle through.TRAIL RATINGS:
🟢 Active ~ 5–7 miles, 3-4 hours, moderate elevation (1,000–2,000 ft). Uneven terrain, steady movement, possible stream crossings. You can hike continuously uphill without frequent long breaks.🟡 Vigorous ~ 7–10 miles, 4-6 hours, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000 ft). Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings. You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending.
🔴 Endurance ~ 10+ miles, 6-8 hours, and/or significant
elevation gain (3,000 ft+). Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel. You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day.Hiking times are approximate moving times and do not include extended breaks.
3 attendees
Bison Peak (SAT 10 OCT)
Denver International Airport (DEN), 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249, USA, Denver, CO, USJoin us for this day hike in Lost Creek Wilderness!
Bison Peak offers a surreal Colorado hiking experience featuring a high-altitude plateau covered in massive, bizarre granite rock formations. The trail winds through peaceful forests before opening up to expansive views of the Tarryall Mountains.
RSVP OPENS: September 23rd at 12:00 pm
✅ START HIKING: 7:30 am
TRAIL RATING: 🔴 Endurance
HIKE STATS: 11.7 miles round trip | 3,900 feet of elevation gain
HIKING TIME: 8 hours 30 min + breaksTRAILHEAD: Ute Creek Trailhead
LOCATION: GOOGLE MAP LINK
MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/G55NN10CARPOOLING (strongly encouraged):
Wooly Mammoth Park-N-Ride
18560 U.S. Hwy 40, Golden, CO 80401
Section CC
DRIVE TIME: 1 hour 45 min
START DRIVING: 6:15 AMNOTEABLES:
Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
🐶Dogs are fine as long as they can keep up.⚠️ BE PREPARED:
We’re a community of peers, not guides. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, gear, fitness, and ability to complete the hike independently.Hosts are there to anchor the group by making sure everyone meets at the right place and time so we can head out together. They are not guides or responsible for keeping anyone on pace. If you can’t keep up with the group, you must be prepared to continue independently or turn back.
Need to check your gear? REI’s Hiking Checklist is a great resource.
A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join Gay Men Hike Colorado. We'd love to have them.
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 7 people to ensure a more intimate, close-knit experience for everyone.
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: If you miss 2 events without 48 hours notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
TRAIL READY:
Trail-ready means capable, self-sufficient, physically fit for the terrain, and prepared for the conditions. Choose trips that match your current fitness and comfort with distance, elevation, and terrain. It's better to finish strong than struggle through.TRAIL RATINGS:
🟢 Active ~ 5–7 miles, 3-4 hours, moderate elevation (1,000–2,000 ft). Uneven terrain, steady movement, possible stream crossings. You can hike continuously uphill without frequent long breaks.🟡 Vigorous ~ 7–10 miles, 4-6 hours, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000 ft). Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings. You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending.
🔴 Endurance ~ 10+ miles, 6-8 hours, and/or significant
elevation gain (3,000 ft+). Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel. You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day.Hiking times are approximate moving times and do not include extended breaks.
1 attendee
Twin Sisters (SAT 17 OCT)
Denver International Airport (DEN), 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249, USA, Denver, CO, USJoin us for this day hike near Estes Park, Colorado!
Twin Sisters offers a classic Colorado alpine experience featuring sweeping, face-to-face views of nearby Longs Peak. The route climbs steadily through thick pine forests and rocky switchbacks to a spectacular twin-peaked summit ridge.
Although it sits geographically separated from the main entrances, this trail is technically part of Rocky Mountain National Park—meaning a valid National Park pass is required.
Many of us have RMNP passes so carpooling is encouraged.
RSVP OPENS: September 30th at 12:00 pm
✅ START HIKING: 9:00 am
TRAIL RATING: 🟡 Vigorous
HIKE STATS: 7.9 miles round trip | 2,500 feet of elevation gain
HIKING TIME: 5 hours 30 min + breaksTRAILHEAD: Twin Sisters Trailhead
LOCATION: GOOGLE MAP LINK
MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/TB5J02TCARPOOLING (strongly encouraged):
US 36 and Sheridan Station
5025 W 88th Pl, Westminster, CO 80003
DRIVE TIME: 1 hour 30 min
START DRIVING: 7:30 AMNOTEABLES:
Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
🐶Dogs are fine as long as they can keep up.⚠️ BE PREPARED:
We’re a community of peers, not guides. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, gear, fitness, and ability to complete the hike independently.Hosts are there to anchor the group by making sure everyone meets at the right place and time so we can head out together. They are not guides or responsible for keeping anyone on pace. If you can’t keep up with the group, you must be prepared to continue independently or turn back.
Need to check your gear? REI’s Hiking Checklist is a great resource.
A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join Gay Men Hike Colorado. We'd love to have them.
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 7 people to ensure a more intimate, close-knit experience for everyone.
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: If you miss 2 events without 48 hours notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
TRAIL READY:
Trail-ready means capable, self-sufficient, physically fit for the terrain, and prepared for the conditions. Choose trips that match your current fitness and comfort with distance, elevation, and terrain. It's better to finish strong than struggle through.TRAIL RATINGS:
🟢 Active ~ 5–7 miles, 3-4 hours, moderate elevation (1,000–2,000 ft). Uneven terrain, steady movement, possible stream crossings. You can hike continuously uphill without frequent long breaks.🟡 Vigorous ~ 7–10 miles, 4-6 hours, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000 ft). Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings. You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending.
🔴 Endurance ~ 10+ miles, 6-8 hours, and/or significant
elevation gain (3,000 ft+). Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel. You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day.Hiking times are approximate moving times and do not include extended breaks.
1 attendee
