As a glacier slides slowly downhill, it forms a moraine a natural dam of debris the glacier had carved and pushed before it. I couldn't help but wonder how the fishing is. However, there is no fee and no registration limit. Many loop hikes are possible. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team. If you want to camp at a lower elevation, head down the other side and make your way to Causeway Lake for the night. The violent act made the papers. dialed-in logistics all serve a common goal: to create unforgettable Remember, Colorado is high (in more ways than one). (They) do take some of the load off your knees and ankles.. The park's runner-up is Devil's Causeway, Skinny Fish and Trappers Lake Loop, which will get you 5,603 ft of elevation gain. Four Pass Loop: Located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area near Aspen, this 26-mile loop can be hiked in two to four days and crosses four mountain ranges with peaks of over 12,000 feet . The Stillwater Lake region was by far the busiest section of the trip. These allow Forest Service rangers to track user days, provide information about your trip, and help in an emergency. Snow is starting to stick on the plateau and gets dicey on the last .2 miles to the causeway. This federally designated wilderness area just 12 miles southwest of Aspen doesnt require a permit. The latter portions are above the tree line. Youll earn the burn early, humping 1,000 vertical feet in 2 miles, then amble an easy mile to the side-by-side lakes teeming with trout. The essential premise is that places should exist where no machine of mans invention and no roads or other intrusions mar the pristine nature of the area. down to Mosquito Lake, and back to Stillwater Reservoir for a 10+ mile loop. The best season is late spring and early summer when the weather is nicer and the wildflowers are in full bloom, but early autumn can be magical too. Take an amazing trip to undisturbed wilderness camping and world class trout fishing. The most historic clash between colonizers and the Ute people, dubbed the Meeker Massacre, took place outside of the present-day town of Meeker. An ill-fitting pack could ruin your trip. Twin Lakes makes a great stopping point on the way down for a quick dip after a long day of hiking. Roughly 100 miles of fishable streams are in the Wilderness. Pack plenty of water and snacks loaded with electrolytes to combat altitude sickness. Llama Treks are backcountry excursions on which trail llamas carry the bulk of our supplies and equipment. The Ute people, who trace their ancestry in Colorado back 10,000 years, were driven from the area after a bloody confrontation in 1879. In the summer, an array of wildflowers, from columbine to Parry Primrose, carpet the extensive subalpine meadows of the plateau. These are technical and only recommended with proper training and gear. Of course, you will need lightweight gear for your hikes such as a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent. My attention began to wander away from the present and the prospect of spending the next five days submerged in Wilderness. Either way . The Flat Tops is an excellent place for long distance backpacking, and in fact is one of the best places in Colorado for extended trips. However, heading up to (and beyond) the Keyhole is no picnicbe prepared for a bit of tenuous scrambling. Rather than set up camp, I found some natural shelter beneath the passing shower. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. This hike begins from the Maroon Bells Scenic Area in Aspen Highlands. And, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. GuidedFlat Tops Wilderness backpacking trips are available and are a stress-free, exciting way to do this trip. Watch an interview with Wildland Trekking's Colorado program manager, James Wieman, about what makes the Flat Tops Wilderness his favorite spot in Colorado. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Any info is much appreciated. It is only a two mile round trip hike but gains roughly 1,200 feet in that mile. Allowing you time to properly explore the area and take in its treasures, it also affords a wonderful night sky sleeping 11000 feet closer to the stars. Accessed off of the Colorado River Road (take Interstate 70 west to the Dotsero exit). Heading out the door? Had you kept on going from Hooper it would have not gotten much better! I walked the Lake and took my time to find a place to pitch my Tarptent. Jenn lives in the Colorado Rockies near Aspen and travels extensively throughout the Southwest. I saw a tall Buck run away and a Red Tail Hawk patrol the low hanging ridges. Their proximity to one another is so great. Aspen-Sopris Ranger District . To learn more about ourguided backpacking tripsand all of our award-winninghiking vacations, please visit ourwebsiteor connect with one of our Adventure Consultants: 800-715-HIKE. Flat Tops Wilderness offers an array of incredible hiking and trekking experiences. The northeast point of the Causeway is the summit and has 280 feet of estimated "elevation prominence" since neither the summit nor the connecting saddle has a marked elevation on the topographic maps. Flat Top Mountain and Edge Lake Trail boasts the most elevation gain with 9,685 ft of total ascent. With numerous campsites along the way, you have plenty of options for breaking up the trip. I put in approximately 12.5 miles and the low temperature of the evening was 36 degrees with partly cloudy skies at night (Thursday). After my experience at the Flat Tops, I had just about written it off as a place I'd care to return to. This hike follows a series of alpine lakes just below the treeline. You can take five days to complete the loop or take a partial loop instead. As this Colorado fishs numbers are dwindling, it is a catch and release policy for cutthroat caught within the wilderness boundary. If enjoying an epic Colorado backpacking trip is on your list, then join us in the Flat Tops for an adventure youll never forget! The decision rankled local cattleman and while George was off in Denver for business, a group of men clubbed his herd to death. The Ute tribe has lived on the land now known as Colorado (along with parts of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming) since time immemorial. The solution: hands in pants as I continued to walk upward. Little Causeway Lake, an example of a kettle lake, showcases the areas glacial past. When to go and what to think about This trip is an ideal summer or fall adventure. books that highlight the many hiking trails, Permit Required yes, https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675318, Permit Required yes, filled out at the trailhead, Permit Required reservations required through www.nps.gov, Permit Required yes, plus register at the trail. Wish I had been able to read it before a two-night trip I did in the Flat Tops this week. Trail Info: Routt National Forest, Yampa District, (970) 638-4516. Either way, the routes are quite technical, scrambly, and require a bit of tenacity. For beginners, she recommends the Cross Creek Trail, which starts 5 miles past Minturn along U.S. Highway 24 along Tigiwon Road #707. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Flat Tops Wilderness is. You want to make sure the pack will hold what you need but you also dont need to overpack. Instead of being somewhere in the wilderness suffering, you can make adjustments in your own neighborhood while you practice and get prepared. Arthur Carhart, a recreation engineer for the forest service, was sent to survey Trappers Lake. The Flat Tops Explorer is an ideal choice for families. Thinking about doing a trip out there next month. This is best done during summer and begins at 9,580 feet and peaks at 12,500 feet. This unique mountain range rises in a broad plateau a massive upsurge of volcanic rock, planed level over the ages, and broken by mountain spires rising nearly a thousand feet. See description "Zirkel . Wishing to take the road less traveled, I had planned a different loop that would have me hiking to the saddle near Flat Top Mountain, then looping around to a series of lakes, and finally coming back by way of the plateau. Colorado is known for its craggy 14,000-foot summits, remote wilderness, and epic trails. Considered the basic checklist for what to bring on both day treks and longer hikes, the Ten Essentials was compiled in the 1930s by a group of backpackers known as The Mountaineers. Some very useful information here. I see way more horse, deer and elk track here than that of human. On Wildland trips, As the glacier continues to melt, it partially buries these ice blocks in debris via an outwash plain (essentially debris being washed out of the glacier by meltwater). Surprise Lake and quite the surprise to share the lake with 3 other gentlemen for the evening. The views, fishing, and remoteness are the biggest draws of this area. You will be cold, tired, and hungry, and it will feel like every day you are going up and over a pass and hiding from a storm. There youll pick up Island Lake Trail and head west for a rendezvous with Deer Lake Trail. I choose to target Deer Lake which sits on a nice shelf at 11,130 feet. If you have the room, Elliott also suggests bringing an umbrella, which can keep both you and your pack dry while hiking in the rain, and it can be easier than putting on rain gear. He spoke passionately about the subject, and he (and thus, the Flat Tops) are credited with sparking the ideas fundamental to the Wilderness Act of 1964. Typically, a group does not remain in an area for more than 1,000 years. The best place to camp is in the lower basinthere are plenty of dispersed campsites around the area. Didnt need three points of contact on any part of it. Check out your local sporting goods store and find someone who can help make sure the pack fits right. Silverthorne Recreation Center prepares for multi-month renovation project beginning Monday, April 17, No wonder you had such a hard time making camping reservations last summer, A dream come true: Pro snowboarders Michael Mawn and Warren Doyle to compete together on Freeride World Tour, Summit boys rugby falls to Parkers rugby club in first-ever home game, Summit girls soccer team rolls into spring break with 3-game win streak. It is difficult to describe the Flat Tops Wilderness; it truly does seem to be beyond words. Explore the outdoor town of Meeker Colorado, Hike the Devils Causeway, Fly Fish the White River, Improve your Angling skills in Trappers Lake, Backpack or Multi-day hike in the Flat Top Wilderness Area, Mountain Bike White River National Forest, Raft the Upper Colorado River, and explore Colorados 2nd largest wilderness area! The best time to hike many of the trails in Colorado is early July to mid-September. Known as the "Cradle of Wilderness," the Flat Tops are said to have inspired Congress to create the Wilderness Act. and dark canyon help if you got it. It splits off into random directions for I am now in cattle grazing country. As always I'm looking forward to seeing the photos from your trip report. State and national parks are a great place to start and you can take advantage of the rangers knowledge of the area. In 1920, the Colorado militia had to be called in to quell the Battle of Yellowjacket Pass a skirmish that took place between the towns of Craig and Meeker. In the summer, brown bears abound, so its important to set up a bear-safe campsite when backpacking. If you are just starting out, you will want to hike a trip with relatively low mileage. If you visit this region, please remember that you are traveling on indigenous lands. The rain drizzle goes into the late afternoon and I get turned around several times before finding the true and reliable trail. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 52 to 9,685 feet in elevation gain. Looking back on it, it's amazing to think that this was my biggest mileage day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Starting at the Maroon Lake Trailhead, you are immediately greeted with an iconic view of the Maroon Bells over Maroon Lakea glimpse into what this loop has to offer. It is more likely you can traverse lower elevations during the month of May. The rain gear had been busted out early. The weekend of August 1, 2008, Tracy and I headed to the Flat Tops Wilderness in Colorado for a three day hiking trip. Adding to your standard gear of pack, bedroll, rain gear, you will also need to be properly prepared with items such as: Also, know that your cell phone is not likely to have a signal when you are in the wilderness. If you're looking for elevation gain, Flat Tops Wilderness has you covered. Duration: A few nights. Many Peaks are relatively un-visited, such as Pagoda Peak, but peaks such as Pyramid and Flat Top Mountain are popular climbs, though most people seem to stick to the trails and . Gilliland said a backpackers biggest woe is blisters, but there are ways to prevent your feet from killing you after only a few hours on the trail. Just before Lower Blue Lake, the trail splits to the left up past Middle and Upper Blue Lakes and on to Blue Lake Pass. There are plenty to find at differing price levels. Not a cloud in the sky to start the day. Exploring the topo makes me believe it could be very Uinta-esque but the information online isn't all the helpful so far. Pretty cool though! With huge mountain vistas, alpine lakes, diverse forests, and a wonderfully maintained and well-signed trail thanks to the Colorado Trail Foundation, you will get to experience the vast diversity of the Colorado wilderness. Make sure you know certain restrictions that you must follow for this wilderness area which specify no motorized or mechanical transport of any kind is allowed. The infamous strip of land is located in the Flat Tops Wilderness, an area of flattened basaltic domes that rise up from the landscape as vast tabletops anomalies in a part of Colorado more commonly known for its jagged, pyramidal peaks. The trail is well-maintained and ends up at a grouping of clothing-optional pools overlooking Conundrum Peak Valley. Subsequent volcanic eruptions coated the newly formed mountains with basalt, giving them their iconically-flat appearance. Allow 4-6 weeks if you plan to hike this entire trail. The Flat Tops Wilderness offers some of the most remote and biologically rich backcountry travel in the Rockies. The Chinese Wallin Flat Tops Wilderness is a stunning example of this geologic process. Great report. When you visit the Flat Tops Wilderness, you may witness elk, deer, mountain lion, mink, ptarmigan, marmot, and moose wandering the high landscape. This means guests can hike with light(er) day packs and still explore and camp in the backcountry. Can take advantage of the trails in Colorado is high ( in more ways than one ) website in browser. On going from Hooper it would have not gotten much better not a cloud in the Tops... Yampa District, ( 970 ) 638-4516 forward to seeing the photos from your trip report Colorado. 70 west to the Dotsero exit ) River Road ( take Interstate 70 west to the.... Hike but gains roughly 1,200 feet in elevation gain, Flat Tops Wilderness backpacking trips are available are. 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