Denver To Aspen- hiking next weekend? (Grand Junction, Golden: shop, castle, activity)

[nemunakm]

Hi all,

I am flying into Denver next Thursday and have had difficulty in finding hiking conditions this time of year. Spending the first night in Denver then heading out towards Vail and Aspen. Staying with a friend in Vail so we'll be spending the majority of our time here.
I would love love love to be able to stop at crystal mill along the way as well as maybe hanging lake and the cathedral lake hike and Crater Lake/Maroon bells. I have heard that there is a ton more snow this year and additionally haven't read much about people hiking this time of year on All trails/other hiking forums. I am an avid and experienced hiker but will be bringing friends that are less experienced and likely not willing to be too miserable. Thoughts ?? Alternative suggestions with excellent payoffs ? We're all girls in our late 20's looking for nighttime fun as well as killer hikes and skiing/snowmobiling during the day. This time of year is just tough

[bluescreen73]

You can count on pretty much everything in the high country west of Denver above 8000' being snowy and/or snowpacked. The mountains have significantly more snow than usual right now and the state has been experiencing record avalanche activity.

You will almost certainly need traction and/or flotation and you should check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's website before doing any hiking in the Gore, Tenmile/Mosquito or Elk Ranges.

[COcheesehead]

In winter we snowshoe.

[townshend]

With all the snow, there are two approaches to hiking in the snow:
1) snow shoeing (so COcheesehead)
2) post holing

You don't even have to understand the latter -- you want the snow showing.

[NW Crow]

You could poke around the shore of Dillon Reservoir or Eagle River. Or take a modest drive to Colorado National Monument outside Grand Junction. Or see how things look north or south of Eagle on Brush Creek Road or Elby Creek (exit 147). Or the Black Lakes just west of Vail Pass.


See what the conditions are like. Talk to somebody in a local outdoor shop.


Consider sledding / tubing, skating, etc. Walking around town early in morning. Find a hill at sunset. Indoor wall climbing.

[maciesmom]

Are you accustomed to hiking in this altitude?

This time of year in the mountains- snowshoeing.
In lower terrain (Denver) you can find some hikes but they'll likely be muddy.

[Dogmama50]

There might be some hikes in Eagle, Hanging Lake was icy and snow packed last I heard a couple weeks ago, probably can add some mud to that now too. You could go to Iron Mountain Hot Springs if you do Hanging Lake (wear traction devices) Crystal Mill is unlikely, deep snowpack and avalanches are not your friend, I don't think there are even snowmobile tours.

If you are skiing there is plenty to do in Vail as well as nighttime fun. Hiking is not really an option at this time of the year, come back and visit your friend in the summer and experience a really amazing time of the year.

[BarryK123]

Yeah, this time of year, you're looking at either mud or snow, depending on elevation.

[SkyDog77]

There is so much snow up there right now. I haven’t seen Vail look like this in years.

Avalanche danger is very high in the backcountry right now.

This time of the year is not tough. You should go skiing.

[bluescreen73]

Hanging Lake will likely be snowy/icy. You'll need to have traction ready just in case.

If you're willing to do your hiking closer to Denver you're much more likely to have an enjoyable experience if we don't get any snow between now and your arrival. Check out the following trails:

Mount Falcon Castle Trail. If you start from the east it's 2.5 miles and 1500' of vertical gain to the Castle ruins. If you start from the west it's only a half mile or so to the ruins and only a couple hundred feet of gain. You can also add in the Tower trail and get views to the west from the Eagle's Eye Shelter and to the east from the summit tower platform.

Mount Galbraith. Strenuous but easy foothills hike with views of Golden, Lookout Mountain, North and South Table Mountain, Downtown Denver.

Alderfer-Three Sisters Park. Plenty of trails of all skill levels. Some easy off-trail scrambling near the Sisters and Brother overlooks. Evergreen Mountain is the highest spot in the park. Best views are to the west toward the Continental Divide.