Another glorious Colorado weekend is upon us... so what are you going to do to celebrate? Instead of doing the same old thing as always, we recommend expanding your horizons this weekend by taking this overnight hike that is sure to be one of the coolest things you will do all summer:
Spanning from the Maroon Bells to Buckskin lies the glorious Four Pass Loop; a 27-mile round-trip backpacking excursion that takes you through some of the most gorgeous scenery in the state! Covering four different mountain passes at an elevation of at least 12,000 feet, Four Pass Loop is by no means a beginners hike (from beginning to end, you will experience an elevation gain of a whopping 8,000 feet!), but is one that is worth working up to in order to experience the area's colorful wildflowers, majestic mountains, and lush valleys. As if all of this wasn't enticing enough, the Four Pass Loop also offers an unforgettable place to camp out each night that comes complete with clear skies and some of the brightest stars you have ever seen.
Do you love fall foliage? Who doesn't, right? Well, if you live in Colorado, then you know it happens pretty quick here - and then seemingly moments later, it's gone. If you live in the Denver metropolitan area, you can easily miss foliage season entirely if you don't motivate yourself to get out there in nature when the leaves start to change. Fortunately, those of us who do live in Denver and surrounding areas know that we have easy access to the mountains, the trees, and all of nature within a very short drive. We just have to go out there and immerse ourselves in it!
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Many people enjoy diving into fall foliage by going on road trips or quick loops over mountain passes not far from Front Range towns and cities. However, there's no better way to fully surround yourself with the changing colors than by going on a hike. There are lots of fantastic and memorable foliage hikes throughout the state of Colorado, but if you're looking for something quick and close to home, then you might head up to Pence Park in Evergreen.
This mountain park is just 35 minutes from downtown Denver, but you'll feel like you're deep in the forest when you arrive. This park is on both sides of Parmalee Gulch Road not far from Kittridge. There are two trails in the park - the lengthy Bear Creek Trail passes through this park, and the Independence Mountain Trail is entirely within it. Both trails are lovely, but the latter is the one we recommend for a fall foliage hike.
The Independence Mountain Trail is 2.1 miles in length and is rated moderate. It is mostly an out-and-back trail, but there's a loop portion near the start, so you can return to your vehicle on a slightly different route to mix things up. This trail is steep in parts, and you'll gain 748 feet of elevation on your hike - but it's shaded most of the way. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
This highly-rated trail is a pleasure to undertake at any time of the year, but it's especially beautiful in autumn. Although much of the Independence Mountain Trail is flanked by coniferous trees, you'll also pass by a lot of deciduous trees on your way too, and thats where the colors come in. Aspens pop with bright yellow leaves during the fall, but if you time your hike just right, you'll be able to see some of them as they pass through hues of orange and red, too.
Peak foliage in the Evergreen area is the last week of September, so that's the best time of year to take this hike. You're going to love everything about it. This trail can get busy due to its close proximity to population centers, but it's still well worth it. When you get to the top of the trail, you'll be able to enjoy views of Bear Mountain, the city of Evergreen, and mountains all around you. Don't underestimate this trail simply because it's so close to Denver - it's one you're going to want to do again and again. Have great hike!
When it comes to urban hiking, Colorado Springs offers some of the best trails in Colorado that are all within city limits. These trails provide the opportunity to disconnect in nature without wandering too far from home – a great option for those with busy schedules who find it hard to get away. One trail in Colorado Springs leads to a beautiful natural wonder in Colorado that’s just a few miles from the parking lot, and it should be doable for most hikers.
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Jessica Moore / Only In Your State Contributor
Pulpit Rock is an infamous rock feature that juts out of the landscape in Colorado Springs just north of Downtown. At 6,621 feet in elevation, this conglomeration of sandstone rock features is easily spotted from Interstate 25. It is located within Austin Bluffs Open Space, which comprises 584 acres of pristine natural landscape that has been painstakingly preserved and protected by the community of Colorado Springs.
Truthfully, having hiked and explored this area extensively myself, there are so many trails and paths that lead up to Pulpit Rock that there is no singular correct route to reach these amazing rocks. But for our purposes, this map of the Summit Loop on AllTrails represents what I feel is the easiest route to reach the summit of Pulpit Rock. I'd recommend following the loop clockwise (in other words, branching off to the east, or left, on your way up, then retracing this same path on your way back down), as the western portion of the loop is not very well maintained. For that reason, I recommend that you download AllTrails + so that you can download topographic and other detailed trail map types for offline use.
Jessica Moore / Only In Your State Contributor
The trail is just shy of 2 miles in length if you complete the whole loop, it gains about 300 feet of elevation, and it is moderate in difficulty, making it a very doable trail for most hikers, even if your schedule may be more limited. These historic sandstone rock formations are estimated to be roughly 66 million years old, and much effort has been exhausted by the city and the community to preserve them; as such, please refrain from attempting to climb these rocks.
Jessica Moore / Only In Your State
As you meander along the looping trail toward the rocky Pulpit Rock Summit, you'll be fascinated by the hoodoo-like rock formations, and in particular, pay attention to the twisting Juniper and Pine Trees that grow directly out of the rocks, seemingly in defiance of nature itself.
Jessica Moore / Only In Your State
As you traverse around these rocks you may be fascinated, as I was, to learn that people have been inhabiting this area for approximately 10,000 years, as evidenced by archeological discoveries in the area that trace back to the Plains and Ute Indian tribes. Given the high vantage point that offers sprawling 360-degree views of the now-urbanized landscape below, and the opportunities for shelter provided by these rocks, it's not a stretch to envision a time when Native tribes once traversed these lands.
Jessica Moore / Only In Your State
Pulpit Rock offers truly magnificent views of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak. Although its urban setting makes it a popular trail for hikers and cyclists in the summer months, you are still likely to find some peaceful respite in the quiet of nature if you can aim to hike on a weekday morning. I personally love hiking up to Pulpit Rock year-round, but I come prepared with microspikes once wintertime cold sets in, as the trail can get icy.
For more hiking inspiration, I recommend checking out these 11 Best Hiking Trails in Colorado. You'll find that each trail offers something for everyone, and the natural beauty you'll discover is unparalleled.
