Mountain View
The Virtual Sherpa
Colorado 14ers: Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia Hike Guide Part 4/4
Mt Harvard and Mt Columbia are a pair of 14ers located just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike is about 16.25 miles with about 6,100ft of elevation gain. This is part 4 of a multipart video, head over to my profile to watch more!
Colorado 14ers: Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia Hike Guide Part 3/4
Mt Harvard and Mt Columbia are a pair of 14ers located just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike is about 16.25 miles with about 6,100ft of elevation gain. This is part 3 of a multipart video, head over to my profile to watch more!
Colorado 14ers: Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia Hike Guide Part 2/4
Mt Harvard and Mt Columbia are a pair of 14ers located just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike is about 16.25 miles with about 6,100ft of elevation gain. This is part 2 of a multipart video, head over to my profile to watch more!
Colorado 14ers: Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia Hike Guide Part 1/4
Mt Harvard and Mt Columbia are a pair of 14ers located just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike is about 16.25 miles with about 6,100ft of elevation gain. This is part 1 of a multipart video, head over to my profile to watch more!
Mt Washington via Huntington Ravine Hike Guide Part 4/4
Mt Washington is without a doubt the most popular hike in New England and the Huntington Ravine is known as the toughest hiking trail in New England. I hiked this a long time ago when I was a kid and was excited to re-hike this and make a proper trail guide. This hike was about 10.2 miles RT with about 4,800ft of elevation gain. This is part of a multi-part video, head over to my profile to watch the rest!
Mt Washington via Huntington Ravine Hike Guide Part 3/4
Mt Washington is without a doubt the most popular hike in New England and the Huntington Ravine is known as the toughest hiking trail in New England. I hiked this a long time ago when I was a kid and was excited to re-hike this and make a proper trail guide. This hike was about 10.2 miles RT with about 4,800ft of elevation gain. This is part of a multi-part video, head over to my profile to watch the rest!
Mt Washington via Huntington Ravine Hike Guide Part 2/4
Mt Washington is without a doubt the most popular hike in New England and the Huntington Ravine is known as the toughest hiking trail in New England. I hiked this a long time ago when I was a kid and was excited to re-hike this and make a proper trail guide. This hike was about 10.2 miles RT with about 4,800ft of elevation gain. This is part of a multi-part video, head over to my profile to watch the rest!
Mt Washington via Huntington Ravine Hike Guide Part 1/4
Mt Washington is without a doubt the most popular hike in New England and the Huntington Ravine is known as the toughest hiking trail in New England. I hiked this a long time ago when I was a kid and was excited to re-hike this and make a proper trail guide. This hike was about 10.2 miles RT with about 4,800ft of elevation gain. This is part of a multi-part video, head over to my profile to watch the rest!
Colorado 14ers: Redcloud & Sunshine Peak Hike Guide (Part 3/3)
Red Cloud Peak & Sunshine Peak are a pair of 14ers located outside of Lake City in southern Colorado. The hike up both summits is about 12.2 miles RT with 4,500 ft of elevation gain. This is part 3/3 - head to my profile to watch the other parts.
Colorado 14ers: Redcloud & Sunshine Peak Hike Guide (Part 2/3)
Red Cloud Peak & Sunshine Peak are a pair of 14ers located outside of Lake City in southern Colorado. The hike up both summits is about 12.2 miles RT with 4,500 ft of elevation gain. This is part 2/3 - head to my profile to watch the other parts.
Colorado 14ers: Redcloud & Sunshine Peak Hike Guide (Part 1/3)
Red Cloud Peak & Sunshine Peak are a pair of 14ers located outside of Lake City in southern Colorado. The hike up both summits is about 12.2 miles RT with 4,500 ft of elevation gain. This is part 1/3 - head to my profile to watch the other parts.
Colorado 14ers: Mt Elbert Hike Guide
Mt Elbert is the highest mountain in the state of Colorado at 14,439 feet. Located right outside of Leadville, Colorado, this mountain is a popular spot with locals and visitors to Colorado. The trail to the summit is a little over 9 miles, but don’t let the distance fool you. Before you gain the top of Mt Elbert you will gain over 4,500 feet of elevation. The trail to the summit is all Class 1 and is mostly made of packed dirt. Due to its popularity, the trail conditions can be poor in spots, especially towards the final summit push.
Colorado 14ers: Handies Peak East Slopes Hike Guide Part 1/2
Handies Peak is a 14er located outside of Lake City, Colorado. The east slopes route is by far the best way to go up to the summit in my opinion. The hike is 8 miles with about 3,650ft of elevation. This is part 1/2, head to my profile to watch the other part.
Colorado 13ers: Mt Silverheels Winter Hike Guide Part 2/2
Mt Silverheels is a 13er and centennial located off of Hoosier Pass in central Colorado. This hike is accessible year round but is usually attempted in spring or winter due to loose trail conditions in summer and fall. This hike is about 9.4 miles RT with 3,500 ft of elevation gain. This is part 2/2, head to my profile to watch the other part.
Colorado 13ers: Mt Silverheels Winter Hike Guide Part 1/2
Mt Silverheels is a 13er and centennial located off of Hoosier Pass in central Colorado. This hike is accessible year round but is usually attempted in spring or winter due to loose trail conditions in summer and fall. This hike is about 9.4 miles RT with 3,500 ft of elevation gain. This is part 1/2, head to my profile to watch the other part.
Colorado 14ers: La Plata Peak Winter Hike Guide Part 4/4
La Plata Peak is a "14er" located outside of Twin Lakes, Colorado. During the winter, the hike requires a slightly different route than the summer. The 9.5-10.5 mile hike involves a lot of route finding and about 4,500 feet of elevation gain. This is part 4/4, head to my profile to watch more.
Colorado 14ers: La Plata Peak Winter Hike Guide Part 3/4
La Plata Peak is a "14er" located outside of Twin Lakes, Colorado. During the winter, the hike requires a slightly different route than the summer. The 9.5-10.5 mile hike involves a lot of route finding and about 4,500 feet of elevation gain. This is part 3/4, head to my profile to watch more.
Colorado 14ers: La Plata Peak Winter Hike Guide Part 2/4
La Plata Peak is a "14er" located outside of Twin Lakes, Colorado. During the winter, the hike requires a slightly different route than the summer. The 9.5-10.5 mile hike involves a lot of route finding and about 4,500 feet of elevation gain. This is part 2/4, head to my profile to watch more.
Colorado 14ers: La Plata Peak Winter Hike Guide Part 1/4
La Plata Peak is a "14er" located outside of Twin Lakes, Colorado. During the winter, the hike requires a slightly different route than the summer. The 9.5-10.5 mile hike involves a lot of route finding and about 4,500 feet of elevation gain. This is part 1/4, head to my profile to watch more.
Handies Peak via American Basin 14er Hike Guide
Handies Peak is a 14er located near Lake City, Colorado in the San Juan range. There are two routes up to the top, but its most commonly hiked via the American Basin approach. The hike to the top is short and sweet, but the views once you get there are absolutely stunning. Handies Peak is a Class 1 hike with a trail that consists of mostly dirt. Due to how remote the mountain is, there will be far less people joining you on your trip, which is a huge plus for some.
Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia Colorado 14ers Hike Guide
Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia are a pair of 14ers located near the north side of the Collegiate Peaks outside of Buena Vista. These mountains can be hiked by themselves or together via a ridge traverse. The popular traverse involves some scrambling near the top of Mt Harvard, but the most difficult section of this hike is the traverse in between Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia. The trail up Mt Harvard is composed mostly of packed dirt with some class 2 scrambling towards the top. The traverse of Mt Harvard & Mt Columbia is a mixture of boulder fields, packed dirt and bad trail conditions (loose rock/dirt etc.) with some class 2 scrambling mixed in.
Meyer Ranch Park Colorado Hiking Guide
Meyer Ranch Park is an open space park located in Conifer, Colorado. The park was previously a working ranch (hence its name) but now offers over 600 acres and 4.2 miles of trails. The park has hiking for all levels and is great for year-round hiking. Trail conditions are generally packed dirt, so Meyer Ranch Park can get muddy in the spring and winter. Meyer Ranch Park is also a popular spot for locals to go sledding after a big snow storm.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Hiking Guide
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of four national parks located in Colorado and probably the most unique. The park is a great destination all year round with plenty to do once you are inside. While most people visit the sand dunes themselves, there are other opportunities inside the park to hike more traditional Colorado high alpine terrain as well. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-visit if you are passing by or live in Colorado. Hiking options at Great Sand Dunes National Park are not limited to any season so visit year round.
Zapata Falls Colorado Hike Guide
Zapata Falls is a short out and back hike located in Mosca, Colorado. This hike is fantastic year-round and is a super spot for families, beginner hikers and photographers. The hike up to the falls is relatively flat, with packed dirt trail conditions. In winter months, snow will cover the well established trail, but snowshoes are generally not required. This is an easy hike and one that can be nicely incorporated in a trip to nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park .
Roosevelt Lakes Colorado Hike Guide
Roosevelt Lakes are a pair of alpine lakes in Mt Evans Wilderness of Colorado. The two lakes exist year-round but tend to freeze starting in October. The hike up to the lakes is about 10 miles round-trip and involves all Class 1 hiking. This is a great hike for families and dogs. If you are looking for a solid spot to snowshoe in the winter, this is also a great choice.
Maxwell Falls Colorado Hike Guide
Maxwell Falls is an out and back hike located in Evergreen, Colorado. The highlight of the short hike is a small waterfall that generally has its best flow during late spring and early summer months. The waterfall is active all year, but will slow its flow significantly in the summer and most likely be frozen, or partially frozen, during winter months. Maxwell Falls trail is composed mostly of packed dirt and does not present any challenging terrain. It is a great hike for families and hikers of all skill level.
Matthews Winter Park Colorado Hiking Guide
Matthews Winters Park is an open space park located in Morrison, Colorado. This park is frequented by mountain bikers, runners, hikers and dogs. This popular open space has trails that consist mostly of packed dirt and can get muddy during the winter and spring months. Even though the park map shows “black diamond” trails, there is no difficult terrain here unless you are on a mountain bike. Matthews/Winters Park is a great spot for families, those visiting the state, mountain bikers and dog year round.
Green Mountain Open Space Colorado Hike Guide
Green Mountain Open Space is a 2,400 acre park located on the west border of Lakewood, Colorado. The park is heavily frequented by mountain bikers, runners, and hikers. The park is a great spot after work for a quick hike or run. Trail conditions in the park range from paved trail to packed dirt and Green Mountain can be hiked year round.
Lookout Mountain Golden Colorado Hike Guide
Lookout Mountain is a short out and back located in Golden, Colorado. Most trails are heavily used by mountain bikers, but hiking these trails is common. Lookout Mountain is a perfect hike for those visiting the area, beginner hikers, or families. Lookout Mountain trails are almost all composed of packed dirt but trail conditions are good in most sections. Lookout Mountain is an extremely popular hike because of its proximity to Denver.
North Table Mountain Colorado Hike Guide
North Table Mountain Park is comprised of nearly 2,000 acres of land and is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado. This park is popular with mountain bikers, horseback riders, runners and hikers. There are a variety of trails to choose from, but they are all about the same difficulty. North Table Mountain is good for families and hikers of all skill levels. The park offers year-round hiking with the potential of snow during the winter months (December – March).
Chief Hosa Colorado Hike Guide
The Chief Hosa Loop is a short loop hike located about 40 minutes from downtown Denver. Even though the hike is close to the city, you can get that feeling out getting outside and into wilderness. The trail is made up of mostly packed dirt and is extremely easy to follow. The trail does not see heavy use even though it is close to Denver. Chief Hosa is also a great hike to see the Buffalo Herd that grazes in the fields directly next to the eastern portion of the hike.
Windy Peak Golden Canyon State Park Hike Guide
Windy Peak is the highest (trail accessible) peak in Golden Canyon State Park. The state park is located about an hour from Denver, Colorado and is a fantastic spot for beginner hikers or families. Windy Peak is an easy hike that is doable in a few hours and provides good views west. The trail to the summit is mostly packed dirt and works its way through several fields and bits of forest. There are a variety of routes to hike to the summit, but all are relatively the same difficulty. Windy Peak can be hiked year round.
Apex Park Golden Colorado Hiking Guide
Apex Park has a variety of walking, biking, hiking and equestrian trails and is located in Golden Colorado. The park starts on the edge of the foothills and has trails that extend miles into them. The park is most popular with mountain bikers but sees a decent amount of runners and hikers as well. The trails are composed mostly of packed dirt and offer hiking for all ages and levels of hiking. This spot is a great option for those looking for hiking trails that are close to Denver.
Forgotten Valley Golden Gate Canyon State Park Hike Guide
The Forgotten Valley is a popular out and back trail located in Golden Canyon State Park. The trail brings you into Forgotten Valley which is home of the Tallman Homestead. This hike is a quick, but provides a unique look at some very old buildings and is great for kids. The views on the Forgotten Valley hike are not fantastic, but this is a very unique opportunity to see remains of a homestead that is hundreds of years old.
Lake Helene Rocky Mountain National Park Hike Guide
Lake Helene in Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful and slightly less crowded hike compared to other trails in the area. The hike out to the alpine lake provides breathtaking views of multiple high elevation lakes and the Bighorn Flat Mountains. This easy hike is a great alternative to the highly popular Emerald and Dream Lake hike. Trail conditions range from packed dirt to some minor rocky sections. For the best views, I would recommend scrambling up some of the rock formations near Lake Helene.
Mt Yale Colorado 14er Hike Guide
Mt Yale is a Class 2 14er located near Buena Vista, Colorado. Part of the Collegiate Peaks, Mt Yale can be hiked from a few different routes, the most common being the Southwest Ridge accessed via Denny Creek Trailhead. The hike to the summit is mostly packed dirt but the last ¼ – ½ mile involves some rock scrambling. Mt Yale is a popular hike because of its easy trail access off Cottonwood Pass which can be driven to year round.
Mount of the Holy Cross 14er Hike Guide
Mount of the Holy Cross is a “14er” located just south of Vail, Colorado. Although the trek to the summit is not extremely difficult, there is a significant gain and loss of elevation before you eventually work your way up to Mount of the Holy Cross summit. Once on top, the views that Mount of the Holy Cross provide are spectacular. The biggest positive about this hike is the variety of terrain along the way (dirt trail, rock scrambling, forest, wide open valleys).
Huron Peak Colorado 14er Hike Guide
Huron Peak is a popular “14er” located in between Leadville and Buena Vista. The beautiful mountain is located in San Isabel National Forest and barely makes the elusive ranks of being a “14er” by just 8 feet. Huron Peak is a moderate hike besides the last ½ – ¼ mile which gains about 800 feet. The trail to the summit is mostly packed dirt and involves a minor scrambling on easy class 2 terrain once on the saddle to gain the summit. Huron Peak has great summit views and is a solid hike for those getting into 14ers.
The Virtual Sherpa
187+
Posts
2M+
Views
Virtual sherpa provides free trail guides to hikes in Colorado & beyond. Whether you are hiking a "14er," visiting a National Park or trying to plan your next winter trip to the mountains, I have you covered. From virtual trail guides to gear reviews to hiking tips, my website and YouTube channel has it all! Visit my website here: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/ Visit my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/thevirtualsherpa
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.