Rise and Hike! Fit & Fun Weekday Hikers

THE BLUE LAKE HIKE WAS CHANGED TO A NEW HIKE! DETAILS BELOW.

Difficulty: Moderate: about 5-6 miles with about 1100 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Golden Gate Canyon State Park preserves a huge landscape of rolling evergreen covered foothills, sprinkled with bright gold aspen groves. In Autumn, it isn’t hard to see where Golden Gate Canyon got its name. On this hike, we will start off at the Bootleg Bottom Trailhead and we will wander among aspen groves and open meadows with amazing views at Panorama Point. See the following hike in Alltrails, except we will start at the Bootleg Bottom Trailhead: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/raccoon-trail

DOGS ALLOWED ONLY IF FOLLOW PARK RULES: Dogs must be leashed at all times. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the hike.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Bootleg Bottom trailhead in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above & click directions. If you use Google maps, you can type in “Bootleg Bottom Picnic Area, Golden Gate Canyon State Park” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, lunch, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.8714&lon=-105.4483

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.

Difficulty: about 6.5 to 7 miles with about 1,900 feet elevation gain. Starting elevation is about 11,300 and highest elevation is about 13,100.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Another favorite at Berthoud Pass! This hike is simply beautiful! The hike offers stunning 360-degree views and a workout. The majority of this trail is above tree-line, so come prepared with extra layers, face protection, and gloves to handle the wind since you will be exposed the majority of the time and the wind can be very strong. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-flora-trail

DOGS ALLOWED ONLY IF FOLLOW PARK RULES: Dogs must be leashed at all times. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the hike.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Berthoud Pass Parking Lot. It has no address, but it is the parking lot at the top of the pass on US-40. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above for directions. If you use Google maps, you can type in “Berthoud Pass Parking Lot” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Berthoud Pass Trailhead” to get there.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential. And be prepared for strong winds!

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.805&lon=-105.7364#.ZAAFcy9lBvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.

Some of the fall colors photos in alltrails are stunning! So I’m hoping for a really scenic fall hike. I’m not organizing a carpool, but if some of you would like to meet and carpool, please comment in the event. Woolly Mammoth would be a recommended carpool spot.

Difficulty: about 12+ miles with about 2,700+ feet elevation gain. Highest elevation at the pass is over 12,000 feet. This hike is considered HARD in alltrails.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, stream & road crossings and periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will plan to have lunch at Kokomo Pass or other appropriate location & we will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This trail is part of Segment 8 of the Colorado Trail. We will pass a beautiful waterfall and are supposed to have amazing expansive views at Kokomo Pass. I’ve read that the section of the Colorado Trail between Searle Pass and Kokomo Pass is maybe the best part of the Colorado Trail. Last year we started at Copper and hiked up to Searle Pass. This year Camp Hale to Kokomo Pass. Maybe next year, we will make it a one-way hike between Copper and Camp Hale so that we can see the section between Kokomo and Searle passes. We will do the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-camp-hale-to-kokomo-pass

DOGS: 🚫 Not allowed on this hike.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Camp Hale Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Alternatively, if you use Google maps, you can type in “Trailhead (Camp Hale - Colorado Trail)” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.428600000000074&lon=-106.22724999999997

REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.

READ ALL DETAILS BELOW BEFORE SIGNING UP AS THIS EVENT INVOLVES LODGING AND THE DAY 1 HIKE IS QUITE LONG.

EVERYONE WILL SIGN UP ON THE WAITLIST AND I WILL CONFIRM PEOPLE. THOSE WHO ATTEND MY HIKES REGULARLY WILL GET PREFERENCE.

We hike as a group and at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph. Everyone is expected to wait at intersections, stream crossings and periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will plan to have lunch at an appropriate spot both days & we will stop as needed for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

HIKE DIFFICULTY: See details below. Day 1 East Inlet Hike will be at least 16 miles with 2,400+ feet elev gain. Day 2 Columbine Lake Hike will be about 9 to 10 miles with 1,800 to 1,900 feet elev gain if you go all the way to the ridge.

CARPOOL: We will carpool to the Day 1 hike to the extent possible…depending on where people are lodging. Day 2 is on the way home, so I will not plan a carpool for this day, but to get to the trailhead, there is a 10 mile dirt road with some potholes and washboard sections. Also there is a fee to park if you don’t have an ANRA or Interagency Pass (see further details below) so if others want to carpool, that is up to them to arrange. Though I think most cars will not have a problem driving to the trailhead. A FEW $ FOR ASSISTANCE WITH GAS IS APPRECIATED BY THE DRIVERS.

LODGING: I have booked a room for 2 nights…checkin Monday, Sept. 29 and departure Oct. 1 at WorldMark Granby Rocky Mountain Preserve in Granby. Here is a link to their website: https://www.extraholidays.com/granby-colorado/worldmark-granby-rocky-mountain-preserve?utm_medium=listing&utm_source=google-local&utm_campaign=na_gmb_na_locallisting_na_allusers&utm_content=wmgranbyrockymountainpreserve

You may of course book lodging anywhere you like. Day 1 hike is in Grand Lake and Day 2 hike is outside Tabernash, so Granby is centrally located for the hikes…28 min from Day 1 hike and 45 min from Day 2 hike (and some of that is on the way home).

RESTAURANT MONDAY SEPT 29 AT 4:30PM: For those of you staying in Granby, I suggest having dinner at Granby Garage Roadhouse the first night. Their address is 491 E Agate Ave, Granby, CO 80446. Here is a link to their website: https://www.garageroadhouse.com.

DAY 1: EAST INLET TRAIL TO LAKE VERNA & SPIRIT LAKE: TUESDAY SEPT 30 AT 6:45AM: We will meet at the trailhead at 6:45am. We will be here during fall colors. We did part of this hike 2 years ago in early October and we had nice fall colors. This hike is in Rocky Mountain National Park. We will hike past Adams Falls right off the bat. The next few miles of the trail are relatively mellow with incredible views up the valley. There is a possibility of seeing moose in the marshy areas. Then the hike climbs steadily up through the valley. Through the entire valley, there are great views of the river, mountains, and lakes. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lake-verna-via-east-inlet-trail except we will continue to Spirit Lake. If some of you want to continue beyond Spirit Lake to Fourth & Fifth Lakes, you can but I have read that the trail becomes worse after Spirit and the hike all the way to Fifth Lake and back is at least a 20 mile day.

DAY 2: CARIBOU PASS TRAIL TO COLUMBINE LAKE & WEST RIDGE: WEDNESDAY OCT 1 AT 6:45AM: We will meet at the trailhead at 6:45am. A couple years ago, I hiked as far as Columbine Lake, but this time let’s continue up the trail to the ridge…I hear the views from the ridge are spectacular…plus we saw lots of marmots as we headed up through the rocks toward the ridge. Everyone can go as far as they’re comfortable after the lake…the hike up the ridge is rocky with loose rock. The gorgeous alpine lake is a reward in itself. We will explore the shoreline around the lake and enjoy the scenery before heading up to the ridge. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/caribou-pass-trail-to-columbine-lake-and-west-ridge except plan on hiking around Columbine Lake before heading up to the ridge.

DAY 2 FEE: Vehicles must have a valid ANRA or Interagency Pass (America the Beautiful Pass is an Interagency Pass) displayed on the vehicles dashboard or mirror hangtag at the trailhead. For more information, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5426908 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/arp/passes-permits/recreation

DOGS: Not allowed.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), etc.