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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: On Foot :: Colorado Hiking

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tjburns1

06/02/2011 10:48PM

So Im out in Colorado, planning a 4th of july weekend hike. I have 3.5 days and have thought about doing one of these routes, or attempting two of them. All are spread out over a couple hundred miles or more, so doing two routes would be a challege, but doable. Anyways, looking for opinions on which route or routes you would do.

Ice lake Basin
http://www.aroundcolorado.com/trip_reports/2005_0729_IceLake/index.html

Pros: Absolutely beautiful, lots to explore, secluded
Cons: Short hike, 5 hours from my house

Fern lake loop
http://www.protrails.com/viewgallery.php?id=242&p=8

Pros: Closest to my house, good length, modifiable
Cons: Least scenic, in a busy national park

Conundrum Hot Springs
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20080823/AE/80820908

Pros: Natural hot springs, scenic, good length hike, known for being clothing optional
Cons: Known for being clothing optional, pretty busy

Let me know what you think.

Minnesotian

06/03/2011 07:58AM

Don't know Colorado that well, but I will be out there near the end of July myself. A buddy and I are hiking the Collegiate Peaks (Belford and Oxford) in the area of Buena Vista.

Looking at your list, I would say any of them that gets ya out of the house would be great, but that Ice Lake basin sounds good. It would be a little short hiking for me, but is there a way to stretch it out somehow?

tjburns1

06/03/2011 01:56PM

Yes, I really want to see Ice lake basin, but its less than a 4 hour hike in. I could base camp and hike to the surrounding lakes but even that is stretching. I'm used to covering 10-15 miles a day minimum.

I've done longs peak and pikes peak (rode the train down), hope to get a few more 14ers in this summer. I had back surgery in march and am am working back up to it. Good luck and have fun.