Good CO hikes with not a lot of snow coverage?

[smmokan]

I'm looking to get some hiking in this weekend in the Front Range, but I don't want to break out the snowshoes... has anyone been on some good trails/peaks that are fairly dry already? Anything around Boulder/Denver would be the best.

[Staircase]

Check out South Chicago Creek. Was up there on Monday and saw no other hikers. About 4 hours round trip - out and back. It is located outside of Idaho Springs on the Mt. Evans Rd. Pretty steady climb; however, near the top the trail becomes very hard to follow and must follow cairns in so you do not get lost.

We used a book that described the trail, something like "Day hikes near Denver"

Good Luck

[DJMingus]

Flatirons are, of course, dry, although it sounds like it will be a little hot this weekend. We got a late start last Sat on Bear Peak and it was damned hot. Last Monday we went up to Fourth of July trailhead and there was still a surprising amount of snow.

[smmokan]

Check out South Chicago Creek. Was up there on Monday and saw no other hikers. About 4 hours round trip - out and back. It is located outside of Idaho Springs on the Mt. Evans Rd. Pretty steady climb; however, near the top the trail becomes very hard to follow and must follow cairns in so you do not get lost.

We used a book that described the trail, something like "Day hikes near Denver"

Good Luck

Is this from the Echo Lake trailhead? Do you know about how far it was? I've got a girlfriend to think about when I'm planning these things.

[Elkhound Odin]

I've been thinking about the same thing. Maybe West Chicago Creek... Take 103 out of Idaho Springs and take the road at the first serious hairpin. Follow this road to a camp ground at the end. Trail is an out an back. (edit - trail is not too steep after the 1st mile)

L.C. if you could, pass on info where ever you end up hiking. I think it's time to get Odin out to start training for 14ers. Thanks

[smmokan]

OK, will do. If the South Chicago Creek trail mentioned above is good, I'll probably go there this weekend. I'll post more afterwards.

[Kya]

Mt. Rosalie at the Deer Creek Trailhead. Cool little spot, not too many people, go for the summit or just a hike in the woods.

[Elkhound Odin]

Mt. Rosalie at the Deer Creek Trailhead. Cool little spot, not too many people, go for the summit or just a hike in the woods.

I was wondering about this one. How is the snow coverage on the trail right now? Any problem with dogs off leash?

[Kya]

I was wondering about this one. How is the snow coverage on the trail right now? Any problem with dogs off leash?

I would be very surprised if you came across any serious snow. A few patches in the shade near treeline maybe, but that should be all.

I guess it depends on your dog. We let our dogs cruise on thier own up there all the time.

There are some beautiful lakes at the bottom of the east bowl of Rosalie.

[smmokan]

I think I'm heading to Rosalie Peak on Saturday morning- looks like a nice hike with some decent up and down elevation change (2100+ feet). Thanks Kya.

[pechelman]

south boulder peak from shadow canyon should be good too
mebbe a bit crowded and\or hot

[Kya]

I think I'm heading to Rosalie Peak on Saturday morning- looks like a nice hike with some decent up and down elevation change (2100+ feet). Thanks Kya.

Excellent dude!

When you guys are done swing by my house for a beer. We live in KZ Ranch, 149 Twilight Terrace, white dodge pickup in the driveway.

[Staircase]

South Chicago Creek is past the turn off for W. Chicago and before Echo Lake. Probably about 9 miles out of I. Springs. The book mentions the hike being 5 miles but I think it is longer if you hike above treeline to the saddle below Gray Wolf Peak.

[grskier]

We started from camp dick this past monday and made it fairly high into the Indian Peeks wilderness before we hit substantial snowpack, however the trail was basically a river in spots.

[DJMingus]

that was the Buchanan Pass trail, grskier?

[smmokan]

I did the Rosalie/Epaulet hike on Saturday- here's a TR and some pics.

http://www.skinc.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=5809

[Elkhound Odin]

Interesting route choice. I assume there is no trail? What changed your mind to start high?

[smmokan]

We didn't see a trail- its just a lot of rocks, snow, and tundra up there. We never intended on climbing it from the bottom- I just wanted to get some higher altitude stuff in, and starting from the road, if you climb Rosalie (which we didn't), it was over 2,000 vert. Just a lot of up and down. It was super windy up there on Saturday, and we weren't exactly dressed warm, so we decided to just explore around the peaks and didn't go up Rosalie.

[Dr. Gaper]

Cheesman lake area has just re-opened.

My wife and I hiked up Goose Creek trail into the Lost Creek Wilderness this weekend. One of the most beautiful places I've been.

[smmokan]

Cheesman lake area has just re-opened.

My wife and I hiked up Goose Creek trail into the Lost Creek Wilderness this weekend. One of the most beautiful places I've been.

Where is this??? I'm interested in finding out more.

[homerjay]

Where is this??? I'm interested in finding out more.

Lost Creek Wilderness is out 285, think colorado trail past buffalo creek.

[Dr. Gaper]

Where is this??? I'm interested in finding out more.

Look on the Colorado atlas around Cheesman lake. There are many access points into Lost Creek Wilderness, but Goose Creek trailhead is the one we picked. Good choice too, because we ended up here -

[smmokan]

Any good links for trail maps/info and pics? I may head there this weekend.

[Dr. Gaper]

I bought the USGS "Lost Creek Wilderness, Tarryall Mts." Quad topo map. Getting there can be a little confusing if you've never been there before. PM if you would like directions. Plan on a good 2 1/2 hours to get to the trailhead (from Denver), and 6 hours roundtrip for the hike to where that picture was taken. There are other access points to the wilderness from Stoney Pass (behind Wellington Lake), and the South Park side.

[Kya]

If you guys explore this area, you MUST end your day at The Buck Snort Bar. Classic little dive.