Hikes in Elk Mountains

The Crystal City Road #314 is a great hiking route in Marble, Colorado that follows along a mountain road to reach a historic site. While out hiking the trail, you will gain elevation along the rugged road as it runs parallel to the Crystal River, passing through the mountains to arrive at the site of an old mill dating to 1892. Walkers should take note that this route is not accessible during the winter months due to dangerous conditions.

The Capitol Peak Hike is a rugged and extremely difficult hiking route in the Elk mountains of Colorado that will take you up to the summit of the toughest fourteener in the state. While out hiking the trail, you will trek across the landscape to Capitol Lake, before climbing up a steep saddle and traversing a dangerous ridge to reach the summit. Hikers should take note that this is an extremely challenging route that should only be undertaken by experienced climbers, as it has seen a number of fatalities due to the rugged and exposed nature of the terrain.

The Oh be Joyful Trail is a wonderfully scenic, long distance hiking route in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will take you up to a charming lake. While out walking the trail, you will pass through a valley that is flanked by rugged mountain peaks, as you follow the Oh Be Joyful Creek up to the tranquil shores of Blue Lake. This route and the surrounding area are not accessible in the winter months, due to snowy and dangerous conditions.

Hiking the Green Lake Trail is an exceptional outdoor activity in Crested Butte, Colorado that will see you climb uphill through the forest to reach a charming lake. While out on the trail, you will leave the town behind and traverse the serene woodlands, working through several tough climbs to reach the shores of Green Lake beneath Mount Axtell. This is a beautifully scenic route that can only be done in the summer months due to dangerous avalanche conditions in the area.

Hiking the Lost Lake Trail is a fantastic outdoor experience in Mesa Lakes, Colorado that the entire family will be able to enjoy. While out on the trail, you will pass through tranquil stretches of woodland terrain while experiencing beautiful views overlooking several emerald lakes spread throughout the area. This is a great trail, but you will definitely want to bring plenty of bug repellent to keep the critters at bay!

The Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall Trail is a short, albeit extremely rugged, adventure near Crystal, Colorado that will take you along a rocky ATV road to reach a series of waterfalls. While out on the trail, you will carefully navigate a rugged mountain road and keep an eye out for passing vehicles, before arriving at the scenic location of the cascading Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall. Although this route is pretty short and the elevation gain is fairly low, this route is still not suitable for children, due to the rugged nature of the ground underneath.

Hiking the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail is a spectacular family-friendly adventure near Aspen, Colorado that will take you around the shores of a charming lake with views of nearby mountain peaks. While out on the trail, you will skirt around the edge of Maroon Lake and pass by a beaver dam, taking in the amazing Rocky Mountain views as you complete a short loop over some rapids along Maroon Creek. Although there is ample parking at the trailhead, you will likely want to arrive early to beat out the crowds and enjoy the scenic views.

The Anthracite Pass Trail is a gorgeous hiking route in the Raggeds Wilderness Area of Colorado that will take you uphill through the forest for stunning views of the valley. While out on the trail, you will leave the banks of the Crystal River behind, climbing uphill through beautiful aspen trees and several steep inclines for views of the impressive mountains nearby. The best time for this hike is during the fall, when the changing colors of the leaves blanket the surrounding landscape in a myriad of reds, oranges, and yellows.

The Smuggler Mountain Overlook Trail is a great little hike in Aspen, Colorado that will take you up the mountainside for views of the town and surrounding area. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way along Smuggler Mountain Road as it winds uphill towards the observation deck, where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Elk Mountains. While this route isn’t a true hike due to the nature of the trail being a dirt road, the views are breathtaking and absolutely worth an afternoon of exploring Aspen.

The Ashcroft Ghost Town Hike is a short adventure south of Aspen, Colorado that will take you through an historic site surrounded by mountain views. While out walking this trail, you will meander along the streets of a forming silver mining town that was abandoned in 1885, investigating the various buildings that stand as a reminder of the fleeting nature of the mining booms experienced in the region. This quick and informative walk is perfectly suited for a fun family adventure in the Elk Mountains.

The Nolan Lake Trail is an exceptional adventure in Colorado that will take you to the shores of a charming lake set in the mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest alongside Nolan Creek, passing by mature aspen trees and scenic mountain views, before arriving at the shores of Nolan Lake. This route features a good amount of elevation gain and an intermediate length, making it suitable for casual hikers looking to push themselves.

The Huntsman Ridge Trail is a great hiking route near Marble, Colorado that will take you uphill above McClure Pass for some great views of the surrounding mountains. While out on the trail, you will climb up the steep trail through dense aspen groves, traversing the ridgeline before arriving at a scenic meadow with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. This hike is entirely uphill; however, the grade of the slope evens out further along the trail and there are some great places to pause for a rest on the way up.

The Brush Creek Trail is a great family-friendly hiking route near Crested Butte, Colorado that will lead you through a valley for beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. While out on the trail, you will traverse the lower slopes of Crested Butte and follow along the banks of the East River, enjoying views across the valley that encompass nearby peaks like the Teocalli and White Rock Mountains. This is a laidback route that will certainly make for a fun day outdoors.

The Whetstone Vista Loop is a pleasant hiking route in Crested Butte, Colorado that will see you traverse a forested hillside for views across the Slate River Valley. While out hiking the trail, you will meander uphill along the lower slopes of Crested Butte Mountain, passing through the tree cover to enjoy beautiful views of nearby Whetstone Mountain. The latter portion of this trail does follow alongside the road, so make sure that you are being mindful of passing vehicles, especially if children or dogs are present.

The Buttermilk Mountain Trail is a fun hiking route in Aspen that will lead you up a ski hill for some beautiful views of the surrounding area. While out on the trail, you will navigate the winding paths that meander through the trees and lead up to the top of Buttermilk Mountain, where you will enjoy some lovely views overlooking Aspen. This may not be the most challenging route in the area, but it is a straightforward adventure with some great scenery as a reward.

The Copper Creek Trail to Copper Lake is a lengthy hiking route near Gothic, Colorado that will take you along a creek to visit a charming mountain lake. While out hiking the trail, you will take in the cascading waters of Judd Falls, before following along Copper Creek as it gradually climbs through the mountains to reach Copper Lake. Hikers should take note that this route is inaccessible during the winter, as the area is blanketed in snow and conditions are dangerous.

The Kebler Pass and Lake Irwin Hike is a short adventure in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that features a scenic lake and views of the surrounding mountains. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way around the shores of Lake Irwin, taking some time to visit a small waterfall at its north end before looping around the south side and taking in the views of nearby peaks. Lake Irwin is also a popular spot for paddleboarding, so if you feel like heading out onto the water then don’t forget your gear.

The Gothic Mountain via Trail 403 is a fun, albeit challenging, adventure in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will lead you up a rugged summit with stunning views of the Rockies. While out hiking the trail, you will trek through the subalpine and work your way over three false summits before reaching the top of Gothic Mountain. Hikers should take note that this route is closed during the winter months due to dangerous conditions.

The Kannah Creek Trail is a lengthy and physically demanding adventure in Grand Mesa National Forest that will see you gain considerable elevation through rough terrain. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the forests alongside Kannah Creek, gaining over 4200ft of elevation to arrive at Carson Lake. Hikers should take note that this is a very long and arduous journey, and while it can be done in a single day for those with great physical fitness, many people break it up into a multi-day backpacking trip.

The Judd Falls Trail is a laidback adventure near Gothic, Colorado that features beautifully scenic views of the surrounding Elk Mountains and the chance to visit a cascading waterfall. While out on the trail, you will wind through some light forest cover to the southeast, before arriving at the viewpoint overlooking Judd falls along Copper Creek. This quick and easy route is perfectly suited for a fun family adventure.