The Sawtooth thread reminded me I need some help. Looking to get back into backpacking and have the opportunity to fit in a one night, out and back trip on our way up to Colorado this summer. We can go to Northern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, Central Colorado and possibly Southwest Colorado (though that puts us a little out of place for the rest of our trip).

It would be me, wife, and two kids (middle school/elementary age). Any good recommendations for a fairly easy out and back hike that we would set us up for a night at a lake or a good view? Water access would be nice so we can filter water. Less than 5 miles each way would be preferred. If there's one that would/could take two nights, I may be able to fit that in as well if there's a good payoff.

Wheeler Peak (highest peak in NM) might be a good option. Trailhead is in Taos Ski Village. I can't remember how far it is to the peak but it's a pretty hike. Nice lake about halfway up.

we did wheeler peak as an overnight last summer with our boys, who were 7 and 9 and had a blast. Hike up to Williams lake and camp there. You may want a night or two in town first, I think the lake is a little above 11k.

some pics from that trip

check burn bans in the area. We used to overnight camp every summer up in Carson national forest (outside Red River) and the recent wildfires in the area have nixed open campfires in the area for a few years (Bummer how much of Philmont/Cimarron area burned).

I know you said SW Colorado is slightly out of your way but Middle Fork Cimarron Trail is probably one of my favorite places I've been in CO. Trail is roughly 5 miles and puts you at the north side of Wetterhorn (not with kids) and Uncompahgre (maybe with kids). There is a nice creek the whole way with good camping. Sort of a longish 2wd drive off out of Ouray - rental corolla made it easily with some line picking. Cool rock formations in Precipice Peak and Coxcomb. My wife and I did the Middle/East trail loop in September a few years ago, fairly tame.

Some places in the Weminuche would be good as well, though likely longer. Emerald lake would be an option but 10 miles in.

Colorado will tax the kids with elevation. If late July/ early Aug, rain.

Sawtooth would be good with kids as well, since you referenced it. Low elevation, tame weather, temps, and lakes.

I''ll give it a shot. Are you going up the 285 corridor? a bit off the beaten path but you could do... Cottonwood Pass over into Taylor Reservoir... then drive to Mirror Lake and hike up to Tincup pass. I've seen Elk herd and the lake is really neat.

Basic 2WD vehicle will get you to the lake. Need something 4x4 to get up to the pass.

Wheeler Peak is good. Pretty sure we camped in a cool spot just outside of left frame on the picture of the lake just up inside the timber.

Appreciate all the help! The lake on the way to Wheeler may be a good option. Any suggestions in the lower elevations of Colorado? I'm thinking driving from Texas and trying to start at 11k may be rough. Anybody done anything in the Lost Creek Wilderness area, Little Scr**** Loop, or the Columbine-Bear Creek Loop?

The Chicago Basin has been on my mind as the ideal place to go as we'd have a good established trail, the fun of the train, and good water. But it may be a bit far out for us on this trip.

Greener Acres said:

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Appreciate all the help! The lake on the way to Wheeler may be a good option. Any suggestions in the lower elevations of Colorado? I'm thinking driving from Texas and trying to start at 11k may be rough. Anybody done anything in the Lost Creek Wilderness area, Little Scr**** Loop, or the Columbine-Bear Creek Loop?

The Chicago Basin has been on my mind as the ideal place to go as we'd have a good established trail, the fun of the train, and good water. But it may be a bit far out for us on this trip.

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550/ San Juan corridor? Now you're talking.

If you make the drive from Durango to Ouray, you will absolutely fall in love. You could hike/camp/backpack for 2 months in that area and not discover it all.

What kind of vehicle do you have?

Although, that 285 corridor through Poncha Pass and up to Buena Vista/Leadville is a magnificent area. Depending on where you start your 285 journey, you're not too far from Great Sand Dunes national park in the San Luis Valley.

I've got a full-sized SUV with decent 4wd and good tires. So my biggest issue is vehicle length/turning radius.

Unfortunately we only have 1-2 nights to spare on this trip and since its my wife/kids first trip we're limited in difficulty.

And everything around Durango hits right for me. We'd be going there this summer if I didn't have to "compromise" and "be nice to our friends and stop telling them how dumb they are" for choosing other places.

do tell more.

How far are you willing to divert, for reference - whats your final destination with stupid friends?... something around 50/285 is a LONG ways from the southern part of the San Juans.

You might consider hitting some trails adjacent to the San Juan hut hike. Circa de Telluride/ouray area.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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do tell more.

How far are you willing to divert, for reference - whats your final destination with stupid friends?... something around 50/285 is a LONG ways from the southern part of the San Juans.

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Ultimately going to Vail. I can swing two nights if the last day is a short hike back to the trailhead. I was originally trying to find a trailhead within 2 hours of Colorado Springs. But I'm up for changing that for the right trail.

The bigger challenge I have is just the limitations of our crew.

Greener Acres said:

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Anybody done anything in the Lost Creek Wilderness area,.

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yeah, but it's been a long time and I don't remember exactly where we went. I think maybe lake park and McCurdy Park. It was a neat area and a great option for lower elevation, but I remember it as being a place that looked like it would get real hot later in the summer. Our trips there were late may/June. We did get snowed on in mid june though.

Greener Acres said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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do tell more.

How far are you willing to divert, for reference - whats your final destination with stupid friends?... something around 50/285 is a LONG ways from the southern part of the San Juans.

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Ultimately going to Vail. I can swing two nights if the last day is a short hike back to the trailhead. I was originally trying to find a trailhead within 2 hours of Colorado Springs. But I'm up for changing that for the right trail.

The bigger challenge I have is just the limitations of our crew.

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Vail? Beetches be shoppin'!

Hokay. I assume you're planning on coming in from the east on 70?

Your east-west corridor is going to be 84 for your NM stuff (or 40, I suppose), 160 into San Luis valley, 50 into Poncha/bueno vista to access 285 N/S or 24 from Colorado Springs.

You can do 24, 91, or 9 north through Breck or Leadville into Vail.

Sounds like your problem is going to be elevation. Anything in/around summit, Eagle, pitkin counties is pretty high elevation. San Juans are pretty high too unless you stay around Durango or Ouray.

I think something around Buena Vista would be ideal for the driving route.

AG_2006 said:

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You might consider hitting some trails adjacent to the San Juan hut hike. Circa de Telluride/ouray area.

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I was going to suggest the Blue Lakes, but apparently the trail is closed this year and will be going to a permit system in 2026. Beautiful area.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Greener Acres said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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do tell more.

How far are you willing to divert, for reference - whats your final destination with stupid friends?... something around 50/285 is a LONG ways from the southern part of the San Juans.

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Ultimately going to Vail. I can swing two nights if the last day is a short hike back to the trailhead. I was originally trying to find a trailhead within 2 hours of Colorado Springs. But I'm up for changing that for the right trail.

The bigger challenge I have is just the limitations of our crew.

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Vail? Beetches be shoppin'!

Hokay. I assume you're planning on coming in from the east on 70?

Your east-west corridor is going to be 84 for your NM stuff (or 40, I suppose), 160 into San Luis valley, 50 into Poncha/bueno vista to access 285 N/S or 24 from Colorado Springs.

You can do 24, 91, or 9 north through Breck or Leadville into Vail.

Sounds like your problem is going to be elevation. Anything in/around summit, Eagle, pitkin counties is pretty high elevation. San Juans are pretty high too unless you stay around Durango or Ouray.

I think something around Buena Vista would be ideal for the driving route.

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The BV/Salida area or just west of Pike's Peak were my main focuses. I thought the Sangre de Cristo range may also provide some options.

We need to be high enough to enjoy the cooler temps but also low enough to adjust to the altitude.

Yeah… even the cooler areas in NM are going to be over 10k.

You've really got be to be above 8k for cooler weather - not many mountains are going to be less than 10.

Why don't you do this on your way home for acclimation? I guess that's already been nailed down.

Doing it on the return would make more sense, as you mentioned, but our rental house will be wrapping up and we have to get back.

I've found some areas near salida/pikes peak that get me to 10k but start at 8k. I'll keep digging in there to see what I can find. Getting to a lake in a few miles and then turning around is likely our best option.

Greener Acres said:

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Doing it on the return would make more sense, as you mentioned, but our rental house will be wrapping up and we have to get back.

I've found some areas near salida/pikes peak that get me to 10k but start at 8k. I'll keep digging in there to see what I can find. Getting to a lake in a few miles and then turning around is likely our best option.

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We'll actually be in Woodland Park (base of Pikes Peak, basically) starting Friday.

I'm looking at doing Rampart Reservoir. Catamount reservoir also.

Greener Acres said:

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Doing it on the return would make more sense, as you mentioned, but our rental house will be wrapping up and we have to get back.

I've found some areas near salida/pikes peak that get me to 10k but start at 8k. I'll keep digging in there to see what I can find. Getting to a lake in a few miles and then turning around is likely our best option.

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Look at St. Elmo. Cool Little ghost town. 35 mins from Buena Vista. Your 4x4 vehicle (assuming it has some clearance) can make it to the top of Tincup pass from that side (don't go down into Tincup unless it's a real 4x4 rig). Continental divide up there. Maybe an hour drive, going slow.

Then, you could hike up to Grizzly Lake above St. Elmo (just to the south - easy to find on googlemaps). Googlemaps showing 3.1 miles up. Awesome lake at the bottom of a bowl in those mountains. Great rockslide/boneyard you go through. I've seen people camping and fishing in that lake.



The road up to St. Elmo also has some quick stop and hikes to waterfalls. Look up Agnes Vaille waterfall right there on 162 to St. Elmo. You're also in the shadow of the collegiate peaks, which are a sight to behold.