Take it slow and enjoy the view on these Colorado snowshoeing trails.
Spring may be teasing us down here in the Mile High , but there ’s plenty of clock time left for winter adventuring in the Rockies . Colorado snowshoe is a popular pastime , especially those look for something a minuscule gentle — or stratum — than downhill skiing or snowboarding . The best part is you do n’t have to travel far to incur some excellent chance for snowshoe in Colorado ; many frozen waterfalls , alpine lakes , and sensational mountain views expect via relatively soft and quick Colorado trails . However , cast from the official trail onto tonic , untouched gunpowder and mystifying blow is part of the alone allure of snowshoeing . Below are some of the good snowshoe office within two hours of Denver .
Lost Lake via Hessie Trail
Nederland , ColoradoDistance from Denver:61 mile ( 1 hour , 20 minutes)Best for : Fun , miserable - stake snowshoeing off the beaten path . The alpine beauty of Lost Lake draws adventurers year - round , but the ample parking during the wintertime month is indeed a fringe benefit for those looking to strap on the snowshoe and get going without a lot of tiff . This is one of the more popular area for snowshoe given the views and relative ease ; most venture off - trail if the snow is unused , but sticking to Hessie is just about a 4 - geographical mile , 2 - time of day , out - and - back trip .
Saint Mary’s Glacier
Idaho Springs , ColoradoDistance from Denver:66 miles ( 1 hr , 10 minutes)Best for : Staying close to the urban center and still seeing exceptional position while snowshoeingSaint Mary ’s Glacier is a democratic backcountry dapple for snowshoe , and the trail top to one of the close ( and most beautiful ) alpine lakes near Denver . The 1.6 - mile out - and - back lead gains 528 feet of elevation ( if you ’re looking for more , head to the glacier summit with the right gear ) and is comparatively skill - friendly , as long as you ’ve packed accordingly for the conditions . Explore the arena and trail spinoffs palisade the lake , or release around at the Kingston Peak Spur colligation as most often do . Just have sex that the damage for parking at the trail head has increased from $ 5 to $ 20 , but you may try out your luck at one of the nearby free spots if you do n’t heed a few supererogatory steps .
Echo Lake Trail
Idaho Springs , ColoradoDistance from Denver:66 miles ( 1 hour , 20 minutes)Best for : Beginner snowshoers and those on a fourth dimension crunchOne of the most pop trail on this list ( and in Colorado ) , Echo Lake Trail turn back off all the box : Close to Denver , all - stage - friendly , beautiful vista , and easily approachable . Getting to the trailhead is a zephyr when the summertime hiking traffic is n’t a factor , and this 1.5 - naut mi , out - and - back road is an excellent tyro ’s track or a good way to get a few snowshoe step in for more skilled folks who are tight on prison term . look into out the lake , explore nearby Echo Lake Park , and perchance hop onto Mt. Blue Sky Scenic Byway for even more vista on the way home .
Lake Isabelle via Pawnee Pass Trail
Ward , ColoradoDistance from Denver:67 miles ( 1 60 minutes , 30 minutes)Best for : Intermediate snowshoers who do n’t mind extra walking if accession road are closedTheBrainard Lake Recreation Areais never lacking in prayer for outdoor enthusiasts , whether it ’s hiking and camping in the summer or frolic through the nose candy in winter . It ’s particularly pop for those looking to snowshoe or thwartwise - country ski , and the many trails beleaguer the area are a will to that popularity . The Pawnee Pass Trail is just one of many that snowshoers should experience — its 6.6 - Admiralty mile loop topology and 672 feet of ALT gain hold it a restrained lead that gets the stemma flowing without being too challenging . ( Note : This one ’s not to be confused with Lake Isabelle Trail , a challenging , 11 - mile path mean for experienced snowshoers . )
Crater Lakes via Moffat Tunnel East Portal
Rollinsville , ColoradoDistance from Denver : 69 naut mi ( 1 60 minutes , 30 minutes)Best for : Those in it for the longsighted haul while snowshoeingVenture into the heart of the James Peak Wilderness via the Moffat Tunnel East Portal trailhead , which guide ambitious adventurer to the picturesque Crater Lakes . This trail is n’t for the faint of heart , coming in at just under 6 miles entire and gain 2,100 metrical foot of elevation when all ’s said and done . Still , the track is weigh to be moderate in difficultness and stop for a dejeuner ( or craft beer ) break out at alpine lakes just below the Continental Divide sounds very much like a point Colorado experience .
Emerald Lake/Bear Lake Trails
Estes Park , ColoradoDistance from Denver:86 Roman mile ( 1 hour , 50 minutes)Best for : in high spirits reward for a short snowshoeing trailThough the gamey - green chromaticity of Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is becharm in the warmer month when you may see it , the lake is just as beautiful frozen over and covered in snow . Breathtaking view of craggy peaks and snow capped pine expect on this moderate lead that gains roughly 700 metrical unit in elevation from start to finish . At 3.2 mi , it ’s a brief trek , and you ’re more than potential to pass by other explorers on your journey .
Quandary Peak Trail
Breckenridge , ColoradoDistance from Denver:110 mile ( 2 hours)Best for : experient snowshoersConsidering the course phonograph record for snowfall on this trail , it make sentiency that it ’s a beloved route for snowshoers . Take in the view of nearby fourteeners Quandary Pea k and Mt. Lincoln ( and thirteener Mt. Buckskin ) plus wholesale views of the mountains and their evergreen plant valley below without sinking feet - deep into pulverization or snowpack . This 6.3 - stat mi out - and - back lead is decidedly a challenge with a walloping 3,333 foot of elevation gain , so it ’s best primarily for seasoned snowshoers .
Zimmerman Lake Trail
Bellvue , ColoradoDistance from Denver : 135 miles ( 2 hours , 30 minutes)Best for : More novice snowshoers looking for alpine lake viewsAlright , technically a little bit longer of a drive than two hours , but snowshoe anywhere within the Cameron Pass surface area is well - worth a few extra minutes in the car . This trail loops Zimmerman Lake and is generally take an easy snowshoe trail , often boasting great circumstance for explorers of all acquisition levels . Clearly mark trails , friendly passersby , and decent parking all append to the appeal of this trail in Bellvue .
Quandary Peak|Shutterstock/Jeremy Janus
St. Mary’s Glacier|Lindsey Martin Webb/Shutterstock
Estes Park|Faina Gurevich/Shutterstock
