Camping near Yampa by Flat Tops Hiking the Devil's Causeway in Flat Tops, Yampa, CO. Photo: Donna Boley. This is best done during summer and begins at 9,580 feet and peaks at 12,500 feet. Get Backpacking Light news, updates, gear info, skills, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week. If youd rather camp high (over 11,000 feet), abandon the Causeway Lake excursion, and continue up to the mesa top. However, there is no fee and no registration limit. Local regulations require permitting for camping overnight. First I had some willows to walk through (see above). The terrain is challenging at times, and you may need to bring microspikes for snow in the higher elevations. I had hit the northern most section of my loop and it was time to return to the high mesa scene. At 486 miles, this route starts in Denver and runs to Durango. You can set up camp at one of the many sites surrounding the springs. Continental Divide Loop8. I'm now on the W Mountain Trail and some single track here, there and everywhere. My Worst Hike: Weary LungsOr a Deadly Medical Emergency? Surprise Lake and quite the surprise to share the lake with 3 other gentlemen for the evening. The Flat Tops region has a long and occasionally tumultuous history. Less than thirty minutest west of Yampa on County Road 8, aka the Flat Tops Trail, puts you in the heart of the Flat Top Mountains. Though a popular spot, the Flat Tops are not as busy as some other regions of Colorado, making for a quiet and relaxing trip. The trailhead is hard to get to. Take your time packing up in the morning as the trail back is mostly downhill and easy going. This hike begins from the Maroon Bells Scenic Area in Aspen Highlands. The wind can pick up too. If the wind is howling, you may think your trip is a bust. I choose to go as far as Surprise Lake on an unmaintained trail. Flat Tops Wilderness: Once you get up to the Flat Tops, this area is hiker-friendly and provides a change of scenery from the jagged peaks were used to. I found it tough to match physical features to a map with 50 foot contour intervals with speckled ponds of water everywhere which were not detailed on my map. The knife-edge feature is only about 100 yards long, but the drops are precipitous, and it can be a little intimidating. The lower elevation means it is good for early and late-season outings. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! You will want to take two days to hike this trail to get in all you want to see, including meadows, peaks, and evergreen forests. Longtime local hiker Mary Ellen Gilliland, author of both The Vail Hiker and the The Summit Hiker, has blazed the trail for backpackers in the area for decades, literally. Overview. 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. their lives enriched, by the wonders of our amazing planet. The stargazing cant be beat, and if you pick the right time of year, you might even be treated to a meteor shower. The Goose Creek portion of the 28-mile Lost Creek Loop is an evergreen forest dotted with meadows, aspen stands, and granite outcroppings and arches. When it Rains, it Pours in Colorados Elk Mountains, A National Park Ranger Reveals the Secrets of the Job. The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is among Colorado’s top three largest wilderness reserves—a landscape rich with every imaginable type of Rocky Mountain terrain, search Top 3 Pages home Home Activities Winter Activities Spring Activities Summer Activities Fall Activities Outdoor Activities Camping Fishing Horseback Riding Hunting Llamas also make wonderful trail companions. Devil's Causeway, Lost Lakes, and Chinese Wall, Trappers Lake, Wall Lake, and Island Lakes Loop, Slide Mandall Lake and Black Mandall Lake, Devil's Causeway, Skinny Fish and Trappers Lake Loop. Backpacking Areas. The Zirkel Circle -- 1161 - 1150 -- The Gilpin - Gold Creek Loop" in Aspen Tree Press book Hiking the 'Boat II. A bear-proof container for your provisions is required. These 10,000- to 12,354-foot-high tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. Grab a booth or a bar stool, a bite and a beer at the historic Antlers Cafe & Bar, a staple of the Yampa community since 1905 - one of the many reasons to return to the wilderness surrounding Steamboat Springs, where endless adventure awaits. First elk herd of the trip. Duration: A few nights. How many trails are in Flat Tops Wilderness? It is a little discouraging to hear of the lack of fish. Will Elliott, head guide at Paragon Guides in Edwards, joked that his most essential backpacking item is my llama because, then, I can bring everything.. Encompassed by the larger White River National Forest, it comprises some 235,406 acres and features volcanic cliffs, subalpine lakes, and alpine tundra. The best time to hike many of the trails in Colorado is early July to mid-September. Once you are dropped off, it is an elevation gain of 3,000 feet to get to the base camp which is well-established with tent sites and water that is easily accessible. August 1, 2008 Backpacking Trips, Trip Reports. AllTrails has 40 great trails for hiking, backpacking, and camping and more. Indian Peaks Wilderness is a 73,391 acre wilderness area near Denver. The Conundrum Hot Spring trail leads to a hot spring in a remote section of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area of the White River National Forest. From the Keyhole, the route gets incredibly scrambly. A backpacking guide and avid history buff, she is currently writing a book on the history of the American West. ), rivers, waterfalls, volcanic peaks (up to nearly 13,000 feet), abundant wildlife, incredible trout fishing, and world-class hiking and backpacking. Utah is a very special and unique place. Home Blog & News Backcountry Skiing Colorados Best Backpacking Trips in The Flat Top Wilderness Area. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Backcountry Tenkara Fishing. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Blue Lakes Trail9. - Steve Cundy and Scott Cundy, Co-founders and Managers. All I saw was a bog filled depression. There is something beautiful around every corner in Colorado so start planning your trip today!. The trailhead is about 45 miles east of Meeker, CO. There are plenty to find at differing price levels. Approximately a 65 mile loop. As one of the premier hiking trails in the Northern San Juan Mountains, this hike is convenient to the town of Ridgway and the trail is challenging but not too difficult for hikers of moderate abilities. When you visit the Flat Tops Wilderness, you may witness elk, deer, mountain lion, mink, ptarmigan, marmot, and moose wandering the high landscape. Its about nourishment and learning. Want To Hike In Middle-Earth? Here are some other multi-day hikes local backpackers suggested for both beginners and those a bit more experienced: 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. New New Masterclass! 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. When camping, never sleep near your food and always hang it and your trash from a tree in a bear-safe container. Camping restrictions are in effect around both lakes. The rain clouds decided to burst around 5:30 p.m. this time and the moisture that was left over on a 37 degree evening felt as though it were colder. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Going from one classic mountain town to another you see awesome views, mountain lakes, a stunning ridgeline highpoint, and beautiful wildflowers. Still off in the distance I see more and more cattle. These 10,000- to 12,354-foot-high tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. mountain bikes or boat carts) are allowed within the wilderness boundary. Their range here is huge. Second, both Hooper and Keener lakes are situated directly east of a long stretch of spectacular cliffs below Flat Top Mountain, and the early morning . If you choose to hike to one of the 100 or so lakes in the Flat Tops, be sure to pack a fishing pole. In that case,Tim,I'm glad I didn't continue on that trail. You will take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway to the Needleton stop 30 miles north of Durango. If you are just starting out, you will want to hike a trip with relatively low mileage. She said on the trail you can also decide to camp and hike the additional 3 miles to the remote Gore Lake. Approximately a 65 mile loop. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Flat Tops Wilderness is Devil's Causeway, which has a 4.8 star rating from 419 reviews. Description Added by Paul Bourdon 5-6 miles hiking per new campsite. Many loop hikes are possible. After the land bridge the people drop off and you have just a cruiser for the rest by yourself. Sheep populations in the area continued to grow, as did animosities. This is the third largest Wilderness in Colorado. They have been living full-time in their RV for nearly three years with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Minnie Australian Shepherd, Remi. For maps, directions and guides to backpacking hikes in and around the area, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov. Also, afternoon storms are common so start each day out early and be prepared. The Flat Top Wilderness offers an escape from crowds, while showcasing landscapes worthy of being a national park. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project. Looking for a more strenuous hike? Headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, and dizziness are a few of the symptoms of altitude sickness. However, the views from the top are worth the effort. The backpacker's camp in Yosemite Valley is a walk-up, but limited in space and requires diligent registration and presentation of your paperwork. Great report. The United States Congress designated the Flat Tops Wilderness in 1975, and it now has a total of 235,214 acres. Its best to tackle Sunlight and Windom before the Eolus Group, as its a bit easier to get down from the Eolus summits if the weather turns later in the day. Though a popular spot, the Flat Tops are not as busy as some other regions of Colorado, making for a quiet and relaxing trip. As you hike up the main trail, it gradually steepens until you pop up over the pass. loved this trail. More than 1,000 summits in Colorado top 10,000 feet on the Continental Divide Trail. colorado mountain club gt hiking colorado wilderness areas. hiking vacations that enrich people's lives." He was to map out a plan for a marina, a road around the lake, and 100 homes. Atop the pass looking on towards Stillwater Reservoir. Some citizens began to express sympathy towards the sheep farmers who, to that point, had gotten little. 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. All meals are prepared by your guide and we provide nearly all the gear. Although I've gone on a few day hikes into the Flat Tops Wilderness before, this would actually be our first backpacking trip into Colorado's third largest wilderness area (after the Weminuche Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness), and I was looking forward to it! 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 . enjoy the natural world. The vistas from this trail are unending and it is truly enjoyable alpine hiking. This trail is estimated to be 47.7 mi long. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? We use one breathtaking campsite for three nights, allowing us to explore on day hikes with only light day packs on Days 3 and 4. Want to find the best trails in Flat Tops Wilderness for an adventurous hike or a family trip? 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