French Mountain is one of Colorado’s Centennial 13ers, a designation given to the state’s highest 100 peaks and offers summit views that rival nearby Mt. Elbert without any of the crowds. Located in the heart of the Sawatch Range near Halfmoon Creek, the route features expansive alpine tundra, dramatic views of Bull Hill, Casco…
If you’re looking to hike your first Colorado 14er, you’re probably wondering where to start. After hiking all 58 Colorado 14ers and standing on more than 140 total 14er summits, I’ve seen firsthand which mountains provide the best introduction to hiking above 14,000 feet. While there is no truly “easy” Colorado 14er, some peaks…
Engineer Mountain is one of the most recognizable peaks near Durango, Colorado, rising dramatically above Coal Bank Pass along the Million Dollar Highway. The hike to the summit packs a lot into a relatively short outing, with steep climbing, sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains, and a fun hands-on scramble near the top….
The Gibraltar Lakes trail is one of the most scenic alpine lake hikes in Colorado’s Indian Peaks Wilderness. Located near the Middle Saint Vrain Trailhead, this challenging day hike takes visitors through forests, meadows, and alpine terrain before reaching the stunning turquoise waters of Gibraltar Lakes and the nearby Saint Vrain Glacier. Despite being…
The Lake Ann Trail is one of the more scenic hikes in Colorado’s Sawatch Range, leading to a beautiful alpine lake tucked beneath the rugged Three Apostles in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. Located near Buena Vista and accessed through the historic mining town of Winfield, the Lake Ann hike offers a relatively moderate route…
Lone Eagle Peak is a mountain just shy of 12,000ft located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness of Northern Colorado. Although this mountain is not the highest in the area, it is strikingly beautiful with its sharp edges and dramatic “point” of a summit. For hikers (scramblers) the most popular (and only) way to ascend…