Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop in 2027 - A Must Do Adventure
Searching for the ultimate Colorado outdoor adventure? The Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado is home to the breathtaking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop, an incredible backpacking trail that will surely take your breath away. This 3 or 4-day trek takes you up and over four stunning mountain passes, giving you unparalleled views of the mountains and valleys below. Be amazed by wildflowers everywhere, surrounded by alpine lakes and Snowmass Lake, making this a truly unique Colorado experience unlike any other. Plan, organize, and prepare to hike Maroon Bells trails now. Updated for the 2027 hiking season.
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Crack the Code to Cold: 10 Colorado Winter Hiking Tips From a Local
Colorado winter hikes are an amazing experience. With stunning snow-covered trails tangled with pines, every step is an opportunity for a peaceful moment to pause and reflect. However, cold conditions can be hazardous if you’re not prepared. To ensure a safe and enjoyable winter hiking experience in Colorado, be sure to follow these ten hiking tips!
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Spring Break Colorado: Your 2027 Mountain Playground
Planning a spring break 2027 Colorado trip? Start with our 3 big tips, then dig into the good stuff. Every link in this guide is a place we’ve actually been. These are the restaurants, hikes, and hangouts we take family and friends when they come to visit, and the same spots we pick when we want a staycation of our own. No generic lists. Just our favorite Colorado spring break ideas, plus where we’d stay. Bringing the kids or exploring solo, you’ll find plenty here for Colorado in spring break. *Not coming for spring break? These are our year round favorites, so this guide works for any Colorado Springs trip.
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Manitou Incline 2027: Reservations, Parking and a Local's Tips
I’ve been climbing the Manitou Incline since the early 2000s. It’s 2,768 steps and 2,000 feet of gain in under a mile, and it still humbles me every time. This guide covers what you need to know in 2026: reservations, parking, winter hours, and how to actually make it to the top. But there’s more here than the Incline itself. I’ll point you to a nearby warm up hike, my favorite places to eat afterward, and two mini inclines closer to Denver for training days or when you want the burn without the full climb.
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7 Winter Hikes Near Colorado Springs (and Where to Grab a Beer After)
I’ve lived in Colorado Springs for nearly 30 years, and winter is when I love our trails most. These are my 7 best Colorado Springs winter hikes, all within an hour of town. No tourist traps here. Just the trails locals actually head to when the snow falls. The crowds thin out, the parking lots empty, and you might have the whole trail to yourself. If you’re looking for the most scenic hiking spots in Colorado Springs this season, grab your microspikes. Here’s where I’d go.
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24 Best Coffee Shops and Cafés in Colorado Springs: A Local’s Guide
Coffee shops in Colorado Springs have come a long way. And we've tried them all. From Loyal Coffee's legendary cortado to hidden gems near the trails, this guide covers the best local coffee and tea shops Colorado Springs has to offer. Whether you're fueling up before a hike or winding down after one, there's a perfect spot waiting for you. These 24 spots, including new ones by Weidner Field to cozy cafes near Garden of the Gods, have become wonderful places to visit. Updated fall 2026.
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9 Charming Towns for Christmas in Colorado (2026 Guide)
Christmas in Colorado is a blast, not just because it’s a winter wonderland with main streets all aglow, but because of all the fabulous outdoor winter activities and adventures that await you during your holiday break! We’re here to dish out the best places to go in Colorado for Christmas, complete with Santa sightings, twinkling lights, sledding hills, sleigh rides, ice skating, snowmobiling tours, where to go skiing, and hop on dog sled tours. And naturally, we’re sharing our favorite spots for winter hikes, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and dipping into sublime geothermic hot springs.
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First Time Ski Trip to Colorado: A Guide for Beginner Skiing
Find the best ski resorts in Colorado for beginners with 21 insider tips from Melody to make it the best skiing in Colorado. We’ll show you how to get to these ski hills in Colorado, which passes to buy, where to start as a beginner, and the top spots to eat—a true local’s guide for a perfect day on the slopes!
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Best Hikes In Salt Lake City, Utah
The best hikes in Salt Lake City are just 20 minutes from downtown, offering year-round joy! With my kid at the University, I've loved exploring these trails and embracing Utah's quirky liquor laws for a post-hike brew. Hiking Salt Lake City area means well-marked trails, lush forests, and scenic views—all with the bonus of low altitude! Check out my 6 favorite hikes, top bars (ID required!), and fun gear shops like the Patagonia Outlet.
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Going on a Troll Hike Colorado Style
Ready for a troll hunt? Meet Rita, the newest of the Colorado trolls. This is the second gigantic all-wood and branch troll sculpture in Colorado; the first being Isak, who lives in Breckenridge. Near Victor, Colorado, take a picturesque drive along an aspen-lined highway and stop in to see Rita the Rock Planter along a gorgeous 2-mile hike. Who knew troll hunting, Colorado trolls style, could be so fun?!
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Exploring Enchanting Ice Castles Colorado Style
Ice castles in Colorado have been a winter tradition for our family for years. Ice Castles won't return to Cripple Creek this season, so here's where to see them now, along with the free Breckenridge snow sculptures and one Colorado castle most people have never heard of.
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15 Epic Things to Do in Breckenridge in Winter (For Non-Skiers & Families on a Budget!)
Planning a Breckenridge winter trip but don't ski? This guide features 15 things to do in Breckenridge besides skiing, perfect for Breckenridge non-skier activities, kid friendly activities, and how to travel on a budget. Enjoy free things to do in Breckenridge like the gondola and sledding, plus family-friendly Breckenridge adventures like dog sledding and train rides. Includes budget-friendly Breckenridge dining and money-saving tips.
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Best Snowshoe Hikes Near Colorado Springs
Get ready to strap on your snowshoes and hit the trails with Colorado snowshoeing! It’s the perfect winter workout to stay fit while taking in the beauty of nature. I, Melody, find time to snowshoe near me during the winter months, exploring the stunning snow-covered landscapes just a short drive from home. And the best part? Many of our snowshoe spotlights are less than an hour from Colorado Springs! Don’t worry if you’ve never snowshoed before—if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Plus, you can easily grab REI snowshoe rentals to get started. It’s a great way to spend time with friends or enjoy a peaceful solo trek.
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27 Waterfalls in Colorado You Should Hike To in 2026
The best time to hike to waterfalls in Colorado is spring and early summer, since snowmelt from the mountains fuel the falls. We’ve rounded up our favorite Colorado waterfall hiking trails. From towering waterfalls that crash 365’ below, to cascade hikes that may even dance underneath wooden bridges on the trail, we’ve grouped them by location in spectacular hiking areas all over the state.
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Fall in Colorado: Breckenridge’s 5 Best Hikes
Every fall, my husband, Matt, and I look forward to our favorite Breckenridge fall hikes in Colorado. One hidden gem we discovered years ago is perfect for enjoying Breckenridge aspen leaf peeping without the crowds! I’ll share each trail, how to get there, and the best part—where to grab a cozy coffee or a refreshing beer afterward. These trails truly capture the magic of Breckenridge fall and the beauty of autumn Colorado is known for!
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Best Steamboat Springs Hikes & Hot Springs: A Colorado Adventure Guide
With hikes in Steamboat Springs like Zirkel Cirle, Hahns Peak, and Flash of Gold, don't miss all the outdoor adventure in the Routt - Medicine Bow National Forests and nearby Rabbits Ears Pass. Add soothing natural hot springs, local brews, mountain biking, starry night camping, paddleboarding, fishing, and tubing on the Yampa River. We've got one heckuva Steamboat Springs vacation just for you.
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Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail: A Scenic Colorado Hike Near Denver
Palmer Lake, a gem between Denver and Colorado Springs, is a 2024 sweet spot for wonderful day hikes, fishing, and amazing local eateries. Just 50 miles from Denver, and 24 miles from downtown Colorado Springs, here are the details on the best hiking trails around two reservoirs, with spurs for longer, challenging hikes. Discover captivating views, no matter the season, in these sublime foothills.
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Best Things to Do in Westcliffe, Colorado: Hiking and Local Adventures
Discover fantastic hikes in Westcliffe, Colorado. This quiet gem of a town is gently settled between the Wet Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, just on the other side of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. All kinds of backcountry adventures await, with loads of hiking trails leading you to alpine lakes and fabulous views by day, plus star studded dark skies by night.
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Zirkel Circle Trail: The Unmatchable Colorado Hike
For visitors looking to explore the stunning scenery found hiking in Steamboat Springs, the Zirkel Circle Trail Loop is a must-do. An 11-mile route takes you along Gold Creek, offering spectacular views of Mt Zirkel and Big Angus overlooking Lake Gilpin. Whether Zirkel Circle backpacking or day hiking, this Mount Zirkel Colorado hike should be at the top of your must do hiking list!
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Mueller State Park Hikes Near Colorado Springs for Every Season
Mueller State Park, one of 42 Colorado State Parks, is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Head here for year-round activities, including hiking, camping, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and winter sledding. A great way to experience the beauty of Mueller State Park is hiking our 10 favorite trails. From easy to challenging, these Colorado hiking trails offer impressive views!
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