Hike the Pass

You are going to find it hard to believe that in just three miles of hiking, you are going to view some of the most spectacular sights available to a casual hiker.

Be sure to pack a picnic lunch for the view at the top of the crest. Even though you are above the treeline, get ready for some stunning vistas, you'd better have a camera next to the bottle of bubbly for this trip!

After only a mile and a half of walking on a marked trail, you come to wind shelter, the perfect place to pause for some food and drinks, and just soak in the sights about you. Right above the continental divide you can dangle your feet in the fresh mountain air of Colorado, and see what most people only dream about.

All this for only hiking for an hour or so? Amazing!

The trail tops out at around 12,500 feet, and you will want to bring appropriate clothing. Even in the summertime, the wind effect is going to be fairly strong, and chilling (no need for ice on that bottle!).

Make sure you bring along some sunscreen to apply to your nose and cheeks, too. If you show up at the lodge looking like a raccoon, every one will know where you were, and probably won't be too sympathetic.

Light boots are fine for this trail that goes from a small parking lot, ascending about 500 feet, to the wind shelter. This trail is open seasonally, during the winter, it could very well be snowed in and too dangerous to hike on, so check with the locals prior to heading on up the mountain.