This Scenic Colorado Hike Is Even Better in the Winter

If you're looking for an epic scenic hike in Colorado this winter, then you're going to love the Mayflower Gulch Trail between Frisco and Leadville. It has a little bit of everything, and it's incredibly beautiful beginning to end. Sure, you'll likely encounter quite a bit of snow along the way, but that's what winter hikes are all about, right? Read on to learn more about this truly spectacular hike, and start making plans to get out there today.

Everyone loves Colorado's Rocky Mountains and everything they have to offer. It's also fun to visit adorable, memorable, and welcoming Colorado mountain towns like Leadville, Breckenridge, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Frisco at any time of the year. But during the winter months, this part of The Centennial State is truly a winter wonderland.

If you're looking for the perfect opportunity to step into a winter adventure, and be near the towns mentioned above and not far from I-70, then the Mayflower Gulch Trail awaits you! You will find the trailhead just off Route 91, approximately halfway between Copper Mountain and Leadville. The route is well-rated and worth undertaking in any season, but it's especially breathtaking in winter.

This trail is rated moderate by hikers who have conquered it in the past. It's an out-and-back hike, so be prepared to turn around and admire the landscape all over again. Round trip, your journey will be approximately 6.4 miles, and it takes most hikers about four to five hours to complete it. You'll experience 1,722 feet of elevation gain on your way up, but it's almost all downhill on the way back to your vehicle.

On your hike, you'll pass through conifer forests until you break through the treeline. At the highest point of this trail, you'll be at just over 12,000 feet! Near the top, you'll find ruins of what appears to be a small town. The cabins found here were not part of an actual town, but rather just housing for people who once worked in the Boston Mine. Gold and silver were mined here in the late 1800s, but the mine was ultimately abandoned because the ore was not pure enough. Today, the cabins and old mining equipment provide excellent photo opportunities for hikers.

The views along this trail are some of the very best in all of Colorado. You'll be amazed by the higher peaks that surround you—and their beauty is emphasized when they are covered with snow. On a beautiful day with blue skies, you'll be in awe of this incredible place and all it has to offer your senses.

Of course, as with many winter hikes, you'll be wise to use snow spikes (or snowshoes) and hiking poles when undertaking this trail, and don't forget to bring plenty of water. You may encounter other hikers along the way on your route, but you're sure to find plenty of quiet and serenity, too. Dogs are welcome on this trail, but they must stay on a leash at all times.

Mayflower Gulch is one of the best trails in Colorado at any time of the year. Perhaps if you enjoy it in the wintertime, you'll choose to return in the other seasons as well. No matter when you tackle this trail, though, you're sure to have a memorable time. Stay warm, enjoy your adventure, and have a great hike!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.