12 Iconic Co Leaf-Peeping Hikes for You and Your Pup: Locations within 2 hr drive from Denver
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12 Iconic Co Leaf-Peeping Hikes for You and Your Pup: Locations within 2 hr drive from Denver
Lauren Weatherly
Autumn in Colorado is all about hunting those vibrant golden sparkles of Aspen leaves that cover the mountain meadows and hillsides. This guides gives you a huge list of our favorite fall hikes.
Expect colors to peak in these areas Sept 15-Oct 5 (ish), but you will still catch some magic if you visit up to a week outside these days.
EMAIL me for a 15% discount code! pupperscouts@gmail.com
Inside you'll find 12 of our absolute favorite leaf-peeping hikes, all within 2 hrs drive from Denver.
Included with each hike:
-Access & parking considerations
-Trail description & photos
-Personal opinions on highlights
-Considerations for success with your puppers
-AllTrails links so you can find the exact trailhead coordinates and see other hikers' reviews
-Other information to ensure the best possible hike
You'll also find suggested add-on itineraries for weekend trips (or day trips), that include:
-Lodging options
-Restaurant options with fall-forward vibes (think Oktoberfest beers, seasonal menus, smokey flavors, & scenic views)
-Best hikes for viewing foliage, all in the easy-moderate range of difficulty
-Suggestions for scenic leaf-peeping drives
-Suggestions for epic sunset-viewing spots
The best part is that ALL of these spots are vetted and dog-friendly, meaning you never have to make arrangements for leaving your doggo behind if you don't want to.
This is a living guide, and will be updated as more information is learned. This is a living guide. As I discover more, I'll add more. You only have to unlock it once, and you'll get all future updates.
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Caribou Hill Trail
@pupperscouts
This trail is pure magic! The wildflowers in the summer are stunning, and the aspen leaves in the fall are dazzling.
You'll start at the site of the Caribou ghost town, and feel free to carefully explore the ruins of a small cabin, plus a larger stone building.
The loop is simple, a steady climb up to a gorgeous lookout with views of the Continental Divide.
Upon descent, you'll loop through some wetlands, then back through a forested area, where you'll see one more abandoned cabin.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Popularity Rating: Moderate
Shadiness Factor: Mixed
-Trailhead: Caribou Hill Trailhead
-Stats: 3.3 mi RT, 793 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: You'll have to drive on a long portion of dirt road. No special vehicle is needed, but just take your time.
-Parking: FREE designated parking lot
-Restrooms at the trailhead: None
-Puppers: Wonderful place for romping on leash
-Best time to visit: Summer & Fall
-Good to know: There are several longer backpacking trails, and OHV trails that also use this trailhead, so expect a little "traffic". But we've never found the trail itself to be crowded.
📍Nederland, Co, is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples
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Raccoon Trail: Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Raccoon Trail - Golden Gate Canyon State Park
@pupperscouts
This trail is a gentle downhill, then uphill loop, where you wind through pine forest and groves of aspen trees throughout. Along the way, you are treated to stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
This is a popular trail in the expansive Golden Gate Canyon State Park, so be sure you pay the feel and leave the tag on your dashboard before your hike.
Difficulty Rating: Easy/Moderate
Popularity Rating: High
Shadiness Factor: Tons!
-Trailhead: Raccoon Trail via Gap Road Trailhead
-Stats: 2.6 mi RT, 462 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Easy!
-Parking: Designated parking at trailhead, and be sure you pay the state park fee to use the parking
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Pit latrines
-Puppers: Puppers are welcome on leash, and they will love the shady forest vibes.
-Best time to visit: Autumn Aspen season!
📍Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples
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Access all the local insights and recommendations from @pupperscouts when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Weatherly
I’m a teacher, of littles and of teachers, who likes to get lost in the wilderness as often as possible. I’ve lived in Colorado for 25 years, and my little pupper scouts are my favorite adventure companions. Together with my partner Bryan, we love to hike and road trip all over the US.
While adventuring, we always find ourselves wishing for more useful info about dog-friendly experiences. So I decided to combine my love for education with my love for adventuring, and start making some little travel guides to share our experiences with others.
Some important things you'll want to know about my guides:
-They're ALL dog-friendly. That doesn't mean that you have to hike with dogs to enjoy them. It just means that if you DO adventure with your dog, you don't have to spend a minute of extra time researching if/how dogs are welcome. I've got you covered!
-In my own hiking adventures, I swing between visiting the most iconic and popular places, and finding off-the-beaten-path places that our pack can enjoy in solitude. You'll find a little bit of both in all my guides.
-As a hiker, I’ve always leaned toward easy to moderate hikes, with stunning scenery. There's beauty abound in Colorado, and you don't have to be gaining thousands of feet of elevation to find it. If you're into extremes, you do you! But my guides focus on more accessible fun for all.
-As a traveler, I tend to seek opportunities to engage in nature, eat amazing food, see some art, learn about history, and get a sense for how locals experience the place. If these also tick your travel boxes, you'll like my guides.
-I'm passionate about diversity & inclusion in outdoor spaces. EVERYONE belongs outside, so bring a welcoming vibe with you on every adventure! Gatekeeping has kept many folks from marginalized communities away from natural spaces, and it's up to ALL of us to change that.
-If you like these vibes, you can follow our adventures on Instagram @pupperscouts, where I'm continuously sharing new info about dog-friendly hiking and road tripping.
A quick intro to my hiking guides:
-In my FREE hiking guides, you get a curated list of a handful of hikes. With each, you get basic trail information and perspectives on why I love them.
-In my $10 guides, you get a larger curated list of 8-12 hikes. You get basic trail information and perspectives on why I love them, plus additional info, photos, and recommendations. I also provide additional resources for successful hiking with humans and puppers.
-A small number of hikes appear in multiple guides, but I prioritize making each guide a unique series of adventures with unique perspectives related to the overall theme of the guide.
Road trip guides coming soon!
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
14 places
14 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
3 extra guides
Access to additional guides curated by the creator.
14 photos
Beautiful, hi-res photos from the creator
5 links
5 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Silverthorne, CO, USA
Georgetown, CO, USA
Dillon, CO, USA
Colorado, USA
Nederland, CO, USA
Summit County, CO, USA
Black Hawk, CO, USA
Breckenridge, CO, USA
Frisco, CO, USA
Boulder County, CO, USA
Idaho Springs, CO, USA
Boulder, CO, USA
Denver, CO, USA
Silver Plume, CO, USA
Kenosha Pass, Colorado, USA
Sedalia, CO, USA
Front Range, Colorado, USA
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Families
LGBTQ+
Digital Nomads
Plus Size
Backpackers
Solo Female
Vegetarian
Gluten-free / Celiac
Pets
50+
Couples
Groups
Adventure
Foodie
Wellness
Nature
RV
Romantic
Photography
Van Life
Road Trip
Coffee
Mountain
Camping
Relaxation
Budget
BEST TIME OF YEAR
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APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Format
Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is Thatch?
Thatch is an online marketplace that provides instant access to thousands of vetted local experts and premium travel guides - making it the easiest and most affordable way to take high quality trips with less stress.
For travel creators (tastemakers, travel advisors, influencers and local experts) Thatch makes it easy to curate, publish, and sell digital travel guides, itineraries and personalized planning services.
What if I’m not satisfied with my purchase?
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