10 Iconic Summit County, Colorado Hikes, for You & Your Pup (plus add-on eateries!)
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10 Iconic Summit County, Colorado Hikes, for You & Your Pup (plus add-on eateries!)
Lauren Weatherly
In this guide, you'll find my 10 favorite dog-friendly hikes that take you to iconic Summit County locations, PLUS 6 dog-friendly eateries, perfect for post-hike bites or brews.
If you're new to the area, or planning a visit here, this is for you! All of these fall within the easy-moderate difficulty range, but most connect to other trails so you can add some challenge if you’re interested. These reward you with a variety of amazing sights, sounds, smells, and guaranteed tail wags galore.
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
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.
Happy hiking!
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Sapphire Point Overlook Trail - Dillon
If you're looking for a short, easy walk to a stunning overlook, this one's for you! It's barely a hike, but you can hit some other nearby trails if you're looking for a workout.
A+ for sunset viewing.
Sapphire Point Overlook Trail
@pupperscouts
This trail is definitely a hot spot in Summit County, and for good reason! This overlook provides a stunning look at the Dillon Reservoir, framed by both the Tenmile and Gore Ranges. As this overlook faces west, it’s an absolutely gorgeous sunset spot! It makes a lovely little stop to add-on to any other experience you’re seeking in Summit County, and it’s fun to try to see it during all four seasons!
This trail is a short and easy jaunt through the woods to the overlook, before looping back to the parking lot. No special gear or knowledge is required, and the highlight is definitely the view. If you’re looking for more challenge, try some of the other trails along Swan Mountain Road.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Popularity Rating: High
Shadiness Factor: High
-Trailhead: Sapphire Point Trailhead
-Stats: 0.6 mi RT, 36 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Easy!
-Parking: FREE designated parking lot off Swan Mountain Rd.
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Pit Latrines
-Puppers: Welcome on leash; Doggie bags available at trailhead
-Best time to visit: Anytime!
-Good to know: This spot is one of the top places recommended for visitors to see in Summit County. Thus, there’s always people here.
-Add-ons: If you’re wanting more than this super-short trail, you can add on the Windy Point Trail, just down Swan Mtn. Rd. Park in the Swan Mtn. Rd. Bouldering and Climbing Parking Lot.
📍Summit County, Colorado is located on the ancestral homelands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples
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Dillon Marina Beach Walk - Dillon
If you're looking for a flat walk by an epic body of water, with epic views and off-leash options, this one's for you!
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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
16 places
16 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
10 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
Dillon, CO, USA
Keystone, CO, USA
Summit County, CO, USA
Copper Mountain, CO, USA
Breckenridge, CO, USA
Frisco, CO, USA
Dillon Reservoir, Colorado, USA
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Families
LGBTQ+
Digital Nomads
Plus Size
Vegetarian
Solo Female
Gluten-free / Celiac
Pets
50+
Couples
Groups
Adventure
Art
Budget
History
Nature
RV
Photography
Van Life
Road Trip
Beach
Mountain
Relaxation
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?
How do I access my purchased guides?
Can I access my guide offline?
How often are guides updated?
Can I request a personalized guide or itinerary?
Can I sell my own travel guides and itineraries?
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