Westcliffe, Colorado

Start at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.5 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Crape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead.Once on the trail...

Venable-Comanche Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Westcliffe, Colorado.

Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Willow Lake offers a stunning destination to a rigorous hike. The hike is approximately 9 miles out and back with 2800 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and maintained. However, the hike rarely levels off. Be prepared for a steady incline...

There are a couple different trailheads that lead to Kit Carson Peak, but the one from Willow Creek Trailhead will give you the opportunity to peak another fourteener, Challenger Point, and let you pass through and/or camp at Willow Lake, which is a beautiful destination by itself. If approaching...

Take 1st Ave heading south out of Canon City and you'll come to Temple Canyon Road. You'll take 7 miles of dirt road to Temple Canyon Park. It is free to enter and there is a decent campground there where you can camp for free for up to 14 days. The trail begins at Temple Ridge Campground. The tr...

This adventure is a unique experience, perfect for the off seasons. Park along the highway on CO-165 in Rye, Colorado, cross the street and walk into the largest one man project in the USA. You’ll enter under the grand front gate and follow the path that leads to the castle. There you’ll find mul...

This 3.8 mile out and back trail is a very easy hike but can have moderate to high foot traffic depending on the season and time of day. I recommend doing this hike early in the morning to not only beat the heat, but to beat the other hikers. What I love about this hike is the chance to see the t...

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is located in Canon City which is about an hour outside Colorado Springs. Once you get there, it's a $26 entrance fee per person. The park is dog and family friendly. You can walk across the bridge, take the gondola, or zip line across. Taking the gondola and of c...

There is no established trail or route to summit Star Dune which is the beauty of the ever changing and serene nature in the Great Sand Dune National Park. Star Dune is the tallest sand dune in North America, at 750' tall and reaching a summit of 8617'. However, High Dune to its north is at a hig...

Outside of the national park there are two different companies that can rent sand boards and sleds for your day use at around $20 per board per day. However, If it is raining a lot and the dunes are too wet, or if the dunes are frosted over both companies will not rent out their boards in order t...

Sand Dunes Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mosca, Colorado.

The Great Sand Dunes are one the most unique landscapes in Colorado. These massive dunes are the tallest sand dunes in North America. Hiking these dunes can be very difficult, but well worth the amazing views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. If you plan on visiting in the summer, be sure t...

The Mosca Pass trail is an (approx) 6.5 mile out and back hike that takes you through beautiful ponderosa and aspen forests to summit 1500 above the start. The trailhead parking is the first left after the Great Sand Dunes visitor center. It is a moderate hike, but allow for several hours, as the...

The Basics: Picture this: Winter on Colorado's Front Range. It snowed yesterday. You're stir crazy because today it's 60 degrees and sunny outside, but the trails are a muddy mess! Cue Oil Well Flats. Located just an hour outside of Colorado Springs, this trail network rarely sees precipitation, ...

NOTE: As of September 2021, Mount Lindsey has been closed to public access indefinitely. (Source)  At 14,042 Mt. Lindsey is not one of the tallest 14ers, but it is a fun objective regardless. The Lily Lake trailhead can be somewhat difficult to access without a high clearance car, but most cars ...

Where to camp: San Luis State Park is located 15 miles west of Great Sand Dunes National Park, San Luis State Park features views of San Luis Lake, the Great Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The campground provides water and hot showers, which we enjoyed after a day of hiking the d...