Jefferson, Colorado
Top Spots in and near Jefferson
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Fairplay, Colorado
Hike Mount Sherman
4.210.5 mi / 2100 ft gainA mile South of Fairplay, turn West onto 4 Mile Creek Road (dirt) and follow it for about 8 miles. The road passes a number of excellent camping spots and finally ends at the ruins of an old mine. Parking is available about a quarter mile from the mining area. Don't park at the gate as its possib...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Lily Pad Lake
4.73.27 mi / 531 ft gainLily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...Read more -
Conifer, Colorado
Elk Falls Loop
3.512.76 mi / 1893 ft gainBegin on Staunton Ranch Trail for 3.3 miles. Switch to Bugling Elk Trail for the next 1.1 miles, then to Lion's Back Trail for the last mile to the overlook. From here, you can create the loop by backtracking to the Chimney Rock Trail, which then connects with the Elk Falls Trail. To head back to...Read more -
Conifer, Colorado
Davis Ponds Trail
4.02.31 mi / 295 ft gainDavis Ponds Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Conifer, Colorado.Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
South Willow Falls
4.66.17 miStart at the Willowbrook Trailhead. You’ll hit a “Y” in the trail pretty quickly - go left and you’ll soon be at the first log bridge. There are quite a few water crossings on the trail, but they are easy to maneuver. After hiking in the Willow Creek Open Space for a bit, you’ll enter Eagle’s Ne...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Hike Chief Mountain, CO
4.54 mi / 1100 ft gainSitting at 11,709’, Chief Mountain is not one of Colorado’s highest peaks, but the views from this mountain are spectacular nonetheless and rival the views of any 14er I’ve climbed. This mountain sits along Squaw Pass Road so you get the luxury of a high trailhead for this peak.To get there, foll...Read more -
Conifer, Colorado
Upper Maxwell Falls Trail
1.11 mi / 135 ft gainUpper Maxwell Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail, which is the shortest and most direct route to Maxwell Falls located near Conifer, Colorado. If you're looking for a little longer trail, check out this Maxwell Falls adventure for a roughly 4-mile loop hike.Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout
4.03.92 mi / 791 ft gainCome check out the Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout, a historic spot located in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area of Colorado, and one of the highest lookout towers in the country, at an elevation of 11,486 ft. Just a short drive from the Front Range corridor, you can hike/backpack in to this lookout ar...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Backpack the McCurdy Park Loop
25 mi / 7202 ft gainThe total distance of the loop is a little under 25 miles and you will climb a total of 7202 feet. It can be done as a 3 day backpacking trip as shown below.The LoopDay 1: After Parking in the trail head's parking lot, which fills up quickly on weekends, start down the trail after signing your pe...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Backpack the Lost Creek Loop
33.5 mi / 6200 ft gainLost Creek Wilderness may be my favorite part of Colorado. It contains varied terrain and geography, and is less crowded than most places. This loop will take you through everything the wilderness area has to offer. You will get sweeping panoramas of mountain ranges to the south, as well has m...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Camp at Goose Creek
3.08 mi / 1300 ft gainGoose Creek is a fantastic spot to hike or camp. There is a dirt road leading to the trailhead, and it winds through the mountains and offers a great view of the valley. The dirt road is relatively easy and well-maintained. The burn scar from the Hayman fire is still really evident, so there are ...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe to Vance's Cabin
3.1 mi / 750 ft gainVance's Cabin is a private hut near Tennessee Pass booked by the 10th mountain division. The hut was completed in 1988 and sleeps 16; 6 beds upstairs in a loft and 10 bunk beds downstairs in a communal bunked area around the wood stove. It's a compact cabin compared to some of the other huts in...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Backpack the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop
5.011.7 mi / 2000 ft gainStarting at the Rich Creek Campground this wonderful moderate hike forms a loop by connecting the Rich Creek Trail and the Tumble Creek trail. in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness. Flanked by the Collegiate Peaks, in Spring and Summer the area is awash with rushing creeks, lush wet lowlands & deep...Read more -
Parshall, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe Jones Pass
4.06 mi / 1600 ft gainIts sister trail, Butler Gulch, is an all-time favorite hike (both summer and winter), and since they share a trailhead, I knew Jones Pass would be special as well.Jones Pass is not the type of trail I normally take, since it is actually a 4x4 road that is used for Jeeping in the summer and snowm...Read more -
Evergreen, Colorado
Maxwell Falls
3.43.95 mi / 928 ft gainLocated just outside of Evergreen, this beginner hike is a great escape from the city for a few hours. There are three different options to hike to the falls: Maxwell Falls Lower Trail (4 miles), Upper Maxwell Falls Trail (1.1 miles), and Maxwell Falls Bluffs Cliffside Trail Loop (5 miles). On th...Read more -
Parshall, Colorado
Butler Gulch
4.55.26 mi / 2008 ft gainButler Gulch is a pristinely beautiful day hike in the heart of the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Easily accessible from Denver, Butler Gulch is full of jaw-dropping views in all seasons, and anyone in good health can enjoy this gem. The hike is five miles long and rated ...Read more