Sophia May
Hiking In Summit County Colorado – Looking to surround yourself with the beautiful yellows, oranges and reds of fall? Do trails through aspen trees make you want to be one with nature? So, go to Summit County. These fall hikes in Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone, Copper and Silverthorne will complete your fall experience.
Fall comes and goes quickly in Summit County. This year (2018) started on August 30th and winter came on October 8th. For the best fall colors, aim for the second or third week of September.
Hiking In Summit County Colorado
The start of McCullough Gulch is a nice patch of aspens, but my favorite is the view of the aspen in the valley near Breckenridge.
Lower Mohawk Lake, Spruce Creek Trail, Summit County, Colorado Usa Stock Photo
You can hike or drive over beautiful Boreas Pass for fall colors and views of Breckenridge below.
Great hikes near Breckenridge include Baker’s Tank Trail and Boreas Pass. Park at Baker’s Tank Road and when you get to the tank, walk along the road for great views of the surrounding Ten Mile Mountains and the Blue River Valley with lots of trees along the way. Go early so there will be less traffic and dust when you get back on the road. Optional: You can skip the hike and drive 20 miles to Boreas Pass.
One of the easiest and most enjoyable hikes you can do is the Rainbow Lake Easy Hike. The hike begins a few blocks from Main Street in downtown Frisco. There is a large dirt parking lot on the road (plenty of space for a motor vehicle to move but don’t park there).
Another easy walk where you are surrounded by yellow and orange aspens is a walk to Lily Pad Lake. This is an easy recipe and great for the whole family.
Best Hikes In Colorado
We did this hike as part of our Epic Peaks Traverse (watch a YouTube video of this crazy hike here). The colors of the climb are amazing but pale in comparison to the crazy views of the surrounding mountains once you reach the top. Looking down on Frisco, Copper and Silverthorn was a highlight of all the fall hikes we did this year.
It is smaller than Rainbow Lake and Lily Pad Lake if you want to hike, but not as difficult as Mount Royal. North Ten Mile is a popular trail.
Distance RT: 6.5 miles Total Elevation: 889 feet Difficulty: Moderate Trail: North Ten Mile Creek Trail Dogs Allowed: Yes Leashed
There are many different ways to choose from this approach. We chose this one because of the time it takes to hike, but there are other hikes to Kettle Ponds and Boulder Lake that look like fun along this route.
Grizzly Peak Hike At Loveland Pass
There is a dirt road to the road. Our RV would have made it, but the sections were pretty rough, so we opted to park a mile away and hike to the road. It is not a problem to come here for cars. It’s also beautiful to drive on the highway with the fall colors.
There are three great hikes through this area. If you want an easier hike to Eagle’s Nest, try Lower Cataract. If you’re up for a bigger challenge, it’s a 6.5-mile hike to Surprise Lake or a 7.4-mile hike to Eaglesmere Lake.
Distance RT: 2.3 miles Total Elevation: 223 feet Difficulty: Easy Trail: There is a parking lot just past the Surprise Lake trailhead.
This is a popular walk in the Silverthorne area frequented by many locals. First start by hiking the Angler Mountain Trail #29 and turn left when you reach the Ptarmigan Trail.
Trails & Trailheads
This isn’t one of my favorites, but it’s an easy hike and the views of Dillon Reservoir are beautiful.
The best time to do this hike is in the fall, as the trail to Wheeler Lakes takes you through a large forest of aspens.
RT Distance: 6.7 miles Total Elevation: 1,568 feet Difficulty: Direct Highway Route: Right on I-70 through Copper (GPS Coordinates 39.517816, -106.146669)
If you’re looking for a hike with stunning fall colors, try the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop near Aspen.
Bear Peak Near Boulder
Also, one of the best parts of Summit County is that many places are easily accessible using the free bus system.
A free training plan to get you in shape for injury-free walking. This complete program includes conditioning, stretching, myofascial release, strength training and cardio from trainers with over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry.
Your free training is the way! We are excited to help you reach new heights and improve your path. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help achieving your health and fitness goals.
Hey! We’re glad you found it! You might want to join us on Instagram and follow our adventures.. Walking the Silverthorn is a great way to enjoy your vacation, enjoying the amazing scenery.
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With COVID-19 on everyone’s mind, why don’t you get out and experience a social outing through the beauty of nature? Summit County Mountain Retreats is here to help you find the best ways to see waterfalls in the Silverthorne area.
South of Willow Creek Falls is the Mesa-Cortina Trail 8.7 miles (4.35 miles from the falls) which is heavily trafficked out and back. A very difficult path was set up. The trail is sheltered with some vegetation along the way, which is good for wildlife viewing. In just over 4 miles, you’ll climb South Willow Creek Falls. Prepare yourself in the beauty of the landscape.
To access the trail, from the town of Silverthorne, take the Buffalo Mountain Center south on Wildernest Road, right on Wildernest Road. After 0.8 miles, turn right on Lakeview Drive and left on Aspen Drive. Continue 0.2 miles and there will be a parking lot on the right side of the road. Space is limited, so arrive early.
The Lower Cataract Loop Trail is a 2.3 mile loop with beautiful wildflowers and waterfalls. This is an easy hike with a mix of open spaces, deep pine forests and aspen groves. Great for lake and waterfall, mountain and wildlife viewing.
Summit County, Colorado
To access this trail, go approximately 16.5 miles north of Silverthorne on Highway 9, before crossing the Blue River, turn left onto Heaney Road. Stay on the Haney River for 5.5 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 1725. Follow 1725 for about 3 miles. Take the warning truck on the left to the parking lot for the Lower Cataract Loop Trail. The last half mile at 1725 is gravel, but easily handled by a two wheeler.
Willow Creek Falls is 6.3 miles out and back through South Willow Creek. Decided to be too hard. The road is very narrow, so you have to be kind enough to keep a distance between the riders. During the hike, you’ll cross bridges, see wildflowers and wildlife, and of course, waterfalls.
The Willowbrook Trail can be accessed by driving 1.5 miles north of Silverthorne. Turn left onto Willowbrook Road. About 1 mile up Willowbrook Road, on the left, is the Willowbrook Trailhead parking lot. There is parking for 15-20 cars.
The Gore Range Trail to Meadow Creek Trail loop is a challenging 12.5-mile hike with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain along the way. Because of the difficulty of this hike, you won’t see other people on the trail, so it’s perfect for social distancing and really focusing on the beauty of the view. Be sure to carry plenty of water and be prepared for a workout.
Sweet Family Friendly Colorado Hiking Gem
The hike begins at the top of the Buffalo Mountain Trailhead Wilderness. It then connects with the Gore Range Trail and Willow Creek Falls. Return to the valley between Mount Buffalo, Red Peak and Eccles Pass. The trail crosses Eccles Pass and then joins the Meadow Creek Trail. Finally, it connects with Lily Pad Trail #50, crosses Lily Pad Lake, and ends at the Buffalo Mountain Trail. Your feet will get wet in some places, so bring some socks.
That road is at the west end of Ryan Gulch Road. Follow Wildernest Road south to Silverthorne. Turn left on Ryan Gulch Road, follow the curving road for 3.5 miles to the road on the right. You will see the driveway parking lot on the left.
With views like these, it’s hard to go wrong with a stay in Summit County. We have the best Summit County rentals to fit your needs! Check out our offers and start planning your vacation today!
Summit County Mountain Retreats has beautiful retreats for your whole group. Whether it’s a vacation for your family or friends, we have all your needs covered. After spending your day walking the beautiful trails
Difficult Hiking Trails In Breckenridge
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