We are well into the hiking season and I’ve decided it’d be fun to share a weekly hiking report on the areas in Colorado I’m exploring as the snow melts from the trails throughout the summer. Welcome to the first edition!
By this point in the year, I have retired my winter hiking boots and snowshoes and picked up my Altra Trail Runners – currently on sale! They are not known for their durability. After three to four months of use on the trail they spend the rest of their life as my lawn mowing shoes, but I love them for their comfort and grip.
With no desire to post hole through the spring snow, I’m scouting out dry trails. In April and May the best dry trail hiking is in the foothills and lower elevations. I’ll slowly move to higher elevations as the snow melts and chase the blooming wildflowers. The last couple weeks of May are when wildflowers start to bloom in the foothills and I’m happy to report- they are here!
I went to Golden this past Saturday and Tuesday morning for sunrise (undeniably, my favorite time of day) and in the past week, the wildflowers have popped. They’ll probably continue to peak in the foothills over the next two weeks. The mountains in Golden are alive with birds, deer and baby bunnies bouncing around. It’s adorable. I’ve been loving the app Merlin Bird ID that my dad shared with me to identify birds while I hike. My dad’s officially gotten our whole family on the birding bandwagon.
I’m getting my hiking legs back so I’ve been loving trails in the 3-7 mile range. The second half of the day on weekends I’ve been enjoying farmers markets that have started back up as well as… yard work. These spring weeds sprout faster than my fingers can pull them!
Where in CO to hike right now for dry trails
Golden & Boulder
In Golden, check out the trails on North Table Mountain (my most frequented spot for sunrise), Apex Park and Walker Ranch. My favorites in Boulder include Boulder Open Space trails specifically Bear Peak via Shanahan Ridge (5 miles, 2,673 ft. gain), any trail starting at the NCAR trailhead, my favorite short loop being Ramble Trail (3.3 miles, 718 ft. gain) and a classic early morning sunrise hike at Mt. Sanitas (3.2 miles, 1,256 ft. gain). If you’re in the Boulder area, check out Wild Pastures Burger. It’s a delicious after hike lunch spot.
If you’re in to fly fishing, Boulder Creek is a great spot to throw in a line!
Evergreen
Evergreen is also starting to melt. I hiked up to Evergreen Mountain (4.4 miles, 820 ft. gain) a few weeks back, it still had snow but reviews are saying it’s dry now. Alderfer Three Sisters Park trailhead is going through parking renovations throughout the summer making parking challenging so keep that in mind when looking at trails over there.
Estes Park
The trails are dry in lower elevations around Estes including one of my favorite early season trails, Lily Mountain Trail (3.8 miles, 1,282 ft. gain). It’s completely dry with incredible views. Across the way heading up Twin Sisters Peak, you will find snow.
Buena Vista & Salida
You can find dry trails in the lower elevations surrounding Buena Vista and Salida. This river valley area has milder winters with more moderate temperatures and snowfall. I’m fishing, camping and checking out the lower elevation trails including Browns Creek Falls (5.7 miles, 931 ft. gain) and Narrow Gauge Trail (4.4 miles, 406 ft. gain) this weekend. I heard Cottonwood Lake and the river that feeds it is great for trout fishing right now as the Arkansas River is starting to mud.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Continuing with the southwestern region of Colorado, now is a perfect time to camp and hike in Great Sand Dunes National Park and the surrounding areas. The snowmelt typically creates a river at the bottom of the dunes in the spring which people will tube down. Come summer, the sand dunes can get pretty hot and the river dries up. I think spring at the sand dunes is perfect!
Trail snack of the week
Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies: I’ve been making this recipe for years ever since I was introduced to them at a bed and breakfast in Homer, AK. I love them, my friends love them and they are the perfect bite sized cookie to enjoy on the trail.
Until next week… Happy trails!
-Hannah
Tales of My Trails 
Hey kiddo, nice post. Light, lively and informative. The picture taking is great too. Especially like the joy expressed in the last one with the brown trout catch. Love ya, Dad!
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