The Hidden Valley Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is a trail that is not like any other trail you've hiked before. This unique trail is rated hard and is highly ranked on hiking sites like AllTrails.com and by anyone who undertakes it. What makes this trail different from others is that it gives hikers the opportunity to explore the slopes of a now-defunct ski area, and furthermore, it's rather freeform and is mostly unmarked. The views on this trail are spectacular, and you'll find it exciting and interesting no matter what time of year you choose to take it on. We think that it's one of the best hikes in Colorado!

Hidden Valley was a popular ski area in Colorado from 1955 to 1991. However, people began skiing Hidden Valley even earlier than that. In the 1930s, Rocky Mountain National Park began plowing Trail Ridge Road, and locals and visitors alike brought their ski equipment to this area to ski in the park. When the ski area was developed in the 1950s, it offered a base lodge with a cafeteria and gift shop, ski patrol, and a large parking area, along with a 2,000 foot vertical drop from 11,400 feet to 9,400 feet. It included trails for beginners, intermediate, and expert skiiers.

At first, this ski area offered only T-bar and Poma lifts, but in 1971 the area added a double chairlift as well. Due to the fact that Hidden Valley was quite a distance from other Colorado ski resorts, residents of northern Colorado visited this ski area frequently and it became well-known and popular quickly.

However, as time passed, it soon became clear that Hidden Valley couldn't compete with other, larger Colorado ski resorts. Further, the National Park Service wanted to get out of the ski resort business, and didn't want to make snow in an otherwise natural area. Hidden Valley closed in 1991, but its trails are still obvious and easy to identify as they clearly cut through a wooded area.

Today, the easy, 0.5 mile Hidden Valley Nature Trail at the base of the ski area; it's popular with families and with people of all hiking abilities. Beyond that trail, though, the Hidden Valley Trail continues 2.2 miles up the slopes and is unmarked. Hikers can continue vertically up one of the former runs and leads to incredible views of the valley below. Anyone undertaking this trail in the summer months will enjoy following Hidden Valley Creek up into the woods.

In the winter, snowshoers also enjoy following this trail up the slope. Backcountry skiers and snowboarders also traverse these slopes and ski or ride back down to the bottom. The park advises, however, that anyone attempting this steep trail in the winter should come with winter. mountaineering experience, as weather conditions can change rapidly in the park, especially at high elevations like those you'll find on the Hidden Valley Trail. Avalanches and winter storms are likely.

This hike may be relatively short at just 2.2 miles in length, but it's challenging in any season. But, it's very different from any other trail in the area and that alone makes it worth it. While hiking, it's easy to imagine the thousands of people who enjoyed this trail when it was a popular ski area for so many decades, and the views from it - due to the fact that the slope is open and treeless - are spectacular. You'll love this trail. It's easy to see why we think it's one of the best hikes in Colorado!

Of course, you'll have to pay the entrance fee to the park to access this trail, but there are so many amazing things to see and do in Rocky Mountain National Park in addition to this trail, you'll be glad that you paid it - prepare to spend at least a day in the park, if not much more. Happy trails!