Hikes in Elk Mountains

The Copley Lake via Gunsight Pass Trail #585 is a fun, albeit steep, hiking route in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will see you climb sharply uphill to reach the serene shores of a small lake. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse the forests and meadows alongside Elk Creek, climbing uphill until you arrive at the picturesque subalpine destination of Copley Lake. If you don’t mind a bit of leg burn, this is an exceptional hiking route with spectacular views.

The Dark Canyon Trail is a rough and rugged journey through the Elk Mountains of Colorado that is only suitable for very experienced hikers. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through the canyon alongside the waters of Anthracite Creek, working your way through the rugged terrain of the mountains while enjoying wonderfully scenic views of the surrounding peaks. As this is a one-way trail, you will need to arrange a pick up at the endpoint of the route, or else you will need to back track the entire distance to return to your vehicle.

Trail 403 is a fantastic hiking route in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will take you uphill for stunning views of the Colorado landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will climb through some steep woodland terrain between Mount Baldy and Gothic Mountain, before traversing the rugged upper portion of the route on the easy to the terminus of the trail. Hikers should take note that this route is not accessible during the winter, as avalanche conditions are prevalent in the area.

The Ward Lake Loop is a quick and easy adventure in Grand Mesa, Colorado that will lead you around the shores of a charming lake. While out hiking the trail, you will meander along the water’s edge and gaze out across the surface of the lake, as you take in the natural beauty of the woodland surroundings. A short overall distance, scenic views, and generally laidback terrain makes this a perfect hiking route for families and beginner hikers.

The Dark Canyon, Irwin, and Dykle Loop Trail is an exceptional excursion in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will produce stunning views of the surrounding mountain landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest across some rugged mountain terrain, enjoying lovely views of the surrounding landscape through the intermittent breaks in the aspen trees. You will certainly want to wear proper hiking boots, preferably a waterproof paor, as the terrain here is fairly rugged and often muddy.

The Lupine, Gunsight, Connection, and Lower Loop Trail is a lengthy adventure in the Elk Mountains of Colorado that will take you around the edges of a valley for scenic views. While out hiking the trail, you will leave the town of Crested Butte behind and head to the northwest, enjoying the views of Mount Emmons and other nearby peaks as you loop around the valley and traverse the slopes on either side. While this is a long hike, it can also be broken up into a multi-day adventure with an overnight stay at the Oh Be Joyful Campground.

The Lost Lake and Mesa Lakes Hike is a fantastic outdoor excursion in Colorado that will lead you around the shores of several woodland lakes. While out hiking the trail, you will meander past Mesa Lake and Mesa Lake south, before climbing slightly uphill to reach the secluded Lost Lake. Hikers should take note that, although the trail is fairly laid back, there are still some sections of uphill walking along rugged terrain that will require proper footwear.

The Granby Reservoirs from Island Lake Hike is a laidback adventure in Colorado that will take you along a forest service road to visit several charming lakes. While out hiking the trail, you will cut across the undulating woodland landscape along a well-maintained road, before taking in the beauty of a number of bodies of water, including the Granby Reservoirs. This is a great route if you are looking for a bit of a longer route through the forest without a lot of difficulty.

The Lake of the Woods Trail is a great adventure near Grand Mesa, Colorado that offers a fantastic variety of terrain and some pleasant views. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse plenty of woodland terrain, cross several streams, and make your way through lovely meadows on the way to the shores of Cottonwood Lake. Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray for this hike, as there will certainly be plenty of critters along the trail.

The Upper Upper Loop Trail is a great hiking route outside of Crested Butte Colorado that will take you along the lower slopes of the mountain of the same name for scenic views. While out on the trail, you will traverse the woodlands and meadows along the hillside, before passing by Grant Lake and taking in the scenic views overlooking the town of Crested Butte. Hikers should take note that the parking at the trailhead is limited to about four vehicles, so be sure to arrive early or else you will need to walk from further out.

The Hardscrabble and Williams Lake Hike is a challenging adventure in Colorado that will take you through the Elk Mountains to visit a series of woodland lakes. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest and work your way along a ridgeline, before arriving at the serene locations of each lake. Hikers should take note that this route is located in bear country, so make sure to bring bear spray and observe all best practices.

The West Bench Trail is an easy-going, albeit lengthy, hiking route near Mesa Lakes Colorado that will take you across a beautiful woodland landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse a relatively flat trail with some minor changes in elevation, while taking in the beautiful views of aspen groves and meadows. The best time for this hike is either the summer when the meadows will be blanketed with wildflowers, or during the autumn when the colors of the leaves begin to change.

The Mesa Top Trail to Flowing Park Reservoir Hike is a beautifully scenic, albeit long, adventure near Grand Meas, Colorado that will produce stunning views of the surrounding landscape. While out hiking the trail, you will pass through charming meadows, traverse vast stretches of woodland terrain, and climb up to scenic overlooks, before arriving at the shores of Flowing Park Reservoir. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear proper hiking boots for this long and arduous journey.

The Scales Lake Hike is an easy-going intermediate length trail near Mesa Lakes, Colorado that will lead you through the forest to the shores of a charming lake. While out hiking the trail, you will traverse a well-maintained forest service road that cuts through the forests and meadows of the surrounding area to arrive at the scenic shores of Scales Lake. This is a great route for beginner hikers that do not wish to traverse the rugged terrain of the backcountry trails nearby.

The Bull Creek Reservoirs via Lake of the Woods Trail is a laid back family hiking route near Grand Mesa, Colorado that will take you to several charming bodies of water. While out hiking the trail, you will pass through meadows and beautiful stretches of woodland terrain filled with stunning aspen trees, before arriving at the Bull Basin Reservoir and Bull Creek Reservoirs. This is an excellent trail if you are looking to take in the natural beauty of the forest, just make sure to bring plenty of bug spray!

Hiking the Mesa Creek #505 Trail is a fantastic outdoor experience near Mesa Lakes, Colorado that will see you climb uphill through some steep terrain for lovely views of the aspen trees. While out on the trail, you will follow closely alongside the banks of Mesa Creek, enjoying the picturesque woodland surroundings before arriving at a junction with the West Bench Trail. There are several makeshift bridges to traverse, as well as a few light scrambles on the steeper portion of the trail, so be sure to wear proper hiking boots.

The Water Dog Reservoir via Crum Reservoir Trail is a pleasant hiking route near Mesa Lakes, Colorado that features several charming lakes and beautiful woodlands throughout. While out on the trail, you will follow along a forest service road that doesn’t offer much in the way of views, other than the odd view of a nearby lake through the tree cover. This trail is best suited for the fall season, when the changing colors of the foliage will create a beautiful backdrop for the hike.

The County Line Trail is a relaxing woodland adventure near Grand Mesa, Colorado that will provide beautiful views overlooking several bodies of water. While out hiking the trail, you will meander through open meadows and serene forests, before arriving at the edge of the Scales Reservoirs. This laidback trail is perfectly suited for a fun family adventure, particularly during the summer months when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

The Granby Reservoir No.11 Hike is a fairly short route near Grand Mesa, Colorado that will take you to the shores of a woodland reservoir. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way through meadows and picturesque forests, before arriving at the edge of Granby Reservoir No.11. Hikers should take note that this trail can be a bit tricky to navigate, so bring a map or GPS if you are worried about losing your way.

The Hubbard Canyon Trail #704 is a relatively laidback hike in Colorado that features an intermediate length and will take you along the scenic banks of a creek. While out hiking the trail, you will follow a path that runs parallel to Hubbard Creek, making your way slightly uphill and over a few minor rockfalls in the area to arrive at the endpoint of the route. Although there are some rugged stretches of terrain, this is a great hike that the entire family will likely enjoy.