For maps, directions and guides to backpacking hikes in and around the area, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov. Chinese Wall and Bear River Trails drop you back at Stillwater Reservoir. Chicago Basin, San Juan Mountains5. Thanks for sharing this, Tim. You can set up camp at one of the many sites surrounding the springs. Places such as Rocky Mountain National Park require a $30 Wilderness Administrative fee for backcountry camping. The Chinese Wall Trail, a 17.5-mile thru-hike, traverses the length of this majestic mountain feature. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. Backpacking is perhaps the best way to spend your time in the Flat Tops. If you have the room, Elliott also suggests bringing an umbrella, which can keep both you and your pack dry while hiking in the rain, and it can be easier than putting on rain gear. Pack plenty of water and snacks loaded with electrolytes to combat altitude sickness. Blue Lakes Trail starts climbing from Dallas Creek and continues with alternating stretches of moderately steep climbs to flat recovery. Camping restrictions are in effect around both lakes. Fortunately I escaped any dogs. Cross Creek doesnt have much altitude gain, which makes it easier to carry your pack, and the shade of the forest keeps you cool. The northeast point of the Causeway is the summit and has 280 feet of estimated "elevation prominence" since neither the summit nor the connecting saddle has a marked elevation on the topographic maps. But, with one or two of these in your pocket, youre ready to enjoy your next Colorado backcountry adventure. Many Peaks are relatively un-visited, such as Pagoda Peak, but peaks such as Pyramid and Flat Top Mountain are popular climbs, though most people seem to stick to the trails and . Located near Durango, this backpacking trip is unique in that you start your adventure with a train ride to the trailhead. Once you are dropped off, it is an elevation gain of 3,000 feet to get to the base camp which is well-established with tent sites and water that is easily accessible. Eventually the sun came out around the time I arrived at Johnny Meyers Lake. Going from one classic mountain town to another you see awesome views, mountain lakes, a stunning ridgeline highpoint, and beautiful wildflowers. I took a long look at my map this evening and started to form the loop I would complete for the trip. One way to lighten your load is by buying a new backpack if yours is outdated, which can shave off up to five pounds. Enjoy expansive wilderness and peaceful solitude in Colorado's Flat Tops. Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin Grizzly Lake #1990 Hell Roaring #1960 Lost Man #1996 Maroon-Snowmass #1975 . From this trailhead there are three different established paths that will bring you into the high islands that is the Flat Tops. Plus, waking up in an alpine meadow chock full of wildflowers is beyond the scope of the imagination. The lower lake is just 3.5 miles in and is a nice spot to camp for the night. Nearly all the groups of backpackers, day hikers, horseback riders and trail runners I came across, I had a good conversation with. Any info is much appreciated. There is a special overnight parking area below Maroon Lake to start the hike where a permit is required. You dont need a permit for groups of seven or less between Sept. 16 and May 31. colorado mountain club gt hiking colorado wilderness areas. State and national parks are a great place to start and you can take advantage of the rangers knowledge of the area. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. The Flat Tops are a nature-lovers paradise with vibrant wildlife habitat, amazing wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, fascinating natural and cultural history, and a plethora of panoramic views that will awe even the most experienced of mountain travelers. Visitors found this page by searching for: http://www.edarnell.com/Trails/page141.html, http://www.summitpost.org/flat-tops/182948, Bogley BigShots -> PRIVATE SECTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE TO PREMIUM MEMBERS, hi! An out-and-back would be a 20-mile, 3-4 day trip. Terri Nighswonger and her husband Todd are full-time RVers and work campers. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Sleeping out under the tarp can be wonderful. Despite the fact that I woke to clouds in the sky, this morning had probably been the clearest so far and my mood improved because of it. The Stillwater trailhead is 17 miles southwest of Yampa on County Road 7 (becoming Forest Road 900) at Stillwater Reservoir. Once you feel confident in your abilities as a backpacker, you can attempt the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop which circles Maroon Bells, climbing four 12,000 foot passes. See also my stories "The 10 Best National Park Backpacking Trips," "12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip," and . Today the rain would begin around 11:00 a.m. The Flat Tops Explorer is an ideal choice for families. Cattle ranchers began committing racially-motivated acts of violence against Hispanic sheepherders. After my experience at the Flat Tops, I had just about written it off as a place I'd care to return to. Also put Vaseline on your skin right above your hip or make sure to tuck your T-shirt into your pants. And though technically allowed, its best to leave the dogs at home for this one as the upper reaches are much too technical. The Flat Tops are part of the White River Plateau with an average elevation of about 10,000 feet. Eventually, the Taylor Grazing Service was created to oversee grazing on public lands. The Flat Top's offers amazing backpacking and mult-iday wilderness experiences from 3 days to more than 10 days. Either hike in 10-mile (yes, thats one way) via several trails or book a roundtrip ticket on the Durango & Silverton Railroad into the basin. Home Forums Campfire Member Trip Reports 65 Mile Loop Flat Tops Wilderness, CO. Five Days, Five Nights in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. A series of ice ages then carved out the valleys and cirques, grinding the land into its current majesty. I see way more horse, deer and elk track here than that of human. The Zirkel Circle -- 1161 - 1150 -- The Gilpin - Gold Creek Loop" in Aspen Tree Press book Hiking the 'Boat II. When it Rains, it Pours in Colorados Elk Mountains, A National Park Ranger Reveals the Secrets of the Job. Hideaway Park/Rendezvous Event Center Sledding Hill. The most popular camp is in the boulder field, a little under six miles into the hike. Probably the most popular backpacking loop in Colorado, this one is a must-do. Gilliland suggests bringing sturdy black garbage bags, which have multiple uses: You can cut a hole in it to make a rain poncho, use it as a tarp if the ground is wet and, if you set up camp, then you can fill it with water, hang it up and let it sit in the sun. At 11,200 feet and my trail junction, I look from where I came. You currently need reservations to make the trip. As the glacier continues to melt, it partially buries these ice blocks in debris via an outwash plain (essentially debris being washed out of the glacier by meltwater). If you brave the trail, you will see views of Little Causeway Lake, stunted basalt domes, and alpine meadows below. no grass left to graze)? There are many easy tips that will help you have a good experience when you go. The uphill climb is difficult but once above the tree line, the views are amazing. I took my time in camp this morning enjoying the sun and the view. The attitude you bring is almost as important as the equipment, he said. The Devil's Causeway itself is a narrow ridge of running between the . While the above list is a great place to start your research,Colorado's list of notable backpacking trips doesn't end here. This is a classic route in Rocky Mountain National Park; however, this is not your average walk in the park. These 10,000- to 12,354-foot-high tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. On this 27 mile adventure, you will traverse peaks, valleys, glaciers, and marshy meadows. Here are some other multi-day hikes local backpackers suggested for both beginners and those a bit more experienced: Four Pass Loop: Located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area near Aspen, this 26-mile loop can be hiked in two to four days and crosses four mountain ranges with peaks of over 12,000 feet. I've been working on a trip report of my aborted trip and will post it on my blog as soon as I get a chance to proof it. At the end of the day, youll have a hot wash to scrub away all the sweat and mud. As the worlds premierhiking and trekking company, Wildland believes in connecting people to fantastic environments in amazing ways. The rain clouds decided to burst around 5:30 p.m. this time and the moisture that was left over on a 37 degree evening felt as though it were colder. Pack weights vary between 25 and 45 pounds, depending on the duration of the trip, the time of year, and your height and weight. The solution: hands in pants as I continued to walk upward. You want to make sure that everybody in the party knows what to expect in terms of their physical abilities.. Even though the route is well-traveled, there are certainly some rugged sections along the way. See the full disclosure here. Conundrum Hot Spring10. Gilliland said a backpackers biggest woe is blisters, but there are ways to prevent your feet from killing you after only a few hours on the trail. One of the most popular Steamboat Springs hiking trails is Devil's Causeway, located an hour southwest of town in the Flat Tops Wilderness. There are 40 trails in Flat Tops Wilderness. While this region has a flawed past, the land itself inspired the Wilderness Act of 1964, and the idea for an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.. Situated between 8,000 12,000, the Flat Tops are a combination of large lakes, pristine rivers, high plateau mountains, and amazing scenery. Flat Tops Wilderness- White River Holy Cross Wilderness - White River Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness - White River . Explore some of the side trails and reach spots that other backpackers on this loop dont do, such as Geneva Lake, Maroon Peak, or Pyramid Peak. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, "Wildland Trekking is about Inspired Exploration. Unless youre doing a high-ridge hike or one of the 14ers, those are the places you have to worry about water a little bit more, he said. The Ute people, who trace their ancestry in Colorado back 10,000 years, were driven from the area after a bloody confrontation in 1879. I would say (poles) are an overlooked equipment accessory, he said. For the most part in the high country, theres quite a bit of water for the whole hiking season.. The views, fishing, and remoteness are the biggest draws of this area. There are many trails in Colorado that dont require a permit, but the best advice is to know before you go. This means guests can hike with light(er) day packs and still explore and camp in the backcountry. Wishing to take the road less traveled, I had planned a different loop that would have me hiking to the saddle near Flat Top Mountain, then looping around to a series of lakes, and finally coming back by way of the plateau. Wish I had been able to read it before a two-night trip I did in the Flat Tops this week. If youre not with the right person, it can sometimes be pretty tough if theyre not into it like you are. Though most people do this in two or three days, its worth it to take your time and explore the numerous side trails up peaks (Mt. These 10,000- to 12,354-foot-high tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. On Wildland trips, Dont be afraid to go for it, if backpacking is something you would like to do. This hike is one of the most unique trails in all of Colorado; it offers views of a narrow causeway crossing, which hikers have the option to traverse. Try some easy hikes and work up to the more difficult ones. Audubon) or to alpine lakes (Mitchell Lake and Crater Lake). This trail is 6.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,637 ft. Most people dont do the loop. You can enjoy many different terrains and you can see the Aspens turn color in the Fall, snowcapped mountains in the winter, flowing waterfalls in the spring, and beautiful wildflowers in the summer. The Flat Tops are part of the White River Plateau with an average elevation of about 10,000 feet. 3.3 + approach +1,200: Moderate: Berry Lake Trail #1196. The best piece of ground I found was exactly where I had sat for about an hour out of the rain. Theres quite a bit of water for the whole hiking season many easy tips that help. I 'd care to return to premierhiking and trekking company, Wildland believes connecting! 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