Mt Evans Wilderness | Fun Colorado Hikes

Three Mile Creek Trail TR #635

The Three Mile Creek Trail heads northwest into the Arapaho National Forest and Mt Evans Wilderness area through beautiful shady forest and over the Three Mile Creek. You may want to register your name in the brown box at the trailhead – the U.S. Forest Service monitors trail usage with the data from these type of lists.

You will enjoy crossing over the creek more than fifteen times!! Small wooden footbridges allow you to enjoy the creek and the surroundings from both sides of the water. Children will love to throw rocks and sticks in and watch them disappear down the hill.

You will eventually emerge from the pine forests into a green meadow filled with a variety of wildflowers and Aspen tree stands. While you are in this small valley, you will be surrounded by several mountains towering above you including: Spearhead Mountain elevation: 11,244 ft; Arrowhead Mtn. 11,209 ft.; and Kataka Mtn. 12,441 ft.

If you choose to complete the entire hike, you will hike 6 miles up to meet the junction with Rosalie Trail. The 12 mile roundtrip hike gains 2,780ft. where, after steeply ascending switchbacks in the trail at treeline, there are beautiful views of the surrounding Rockies (Mt. Evans, Mt Kataka and Bierstadt among others). Serious day hikers will love this scenic hike.

We usually hike in for a couple of hours then turn back. Turn around anywhere you feel like and the trip back down to the car is just as enjoyable as the hike in!

No Restrooms available at trailhead or parking area. (There is a rest station on the road (Rd 62) about 1 mile before you reach the parking lot and trailhead- your last chance).

Mt. Bierstadt Trail

This fourteener is one of Colorado’s most accessible, popular and well-maintained. The direct route up the mountain can be for experienced mountain climbers as well as casual day hikers.

From the parking lots on Guanella Pass Road the trail begins toward the east and Mt. Bierstadt. The trail leads down into the valley toward the base of the mountain and moves through willow thicket and over Gomer Creek via wooden bridge and rock foot holds. This is an easy meandering part of the trail and if you’re not ambitious enough to climb the entire fourteener, a casual hike through this area has breathtaking scenery too.

The ascent begins after hiking through the willow thickets (about 1/2 mile). The upward climb follows a few switchbacks through the tundralike surroundings. The grasses are short and the wildflowers are low to the ground. As you follow the well-maintained trail, look for wildlife like Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep and mountain goats. They both blend in with the coloring of the hills so sometimes are hard to catch site of.

The trail continues to lead up! At times, it is straight up and you’ll definitely have to exert yourself. The trail becomes more rugged the higher up the mountain you get. Be sure to bring a lot of water for this hike. We hiked in summer and it took about 5 hours up and back including a long rest at the summit.

As you approach the summit you will notice the trail is covered in rock/boulders and possibly snow. Follow the trail toward the summit (toward the northeast). Scramble over the rock field to the summit where there is an official summit and elevation marker.

Stay awhile on top. Eat lunch. Take some photos or video. It’s one of Colorado’s best hikes.

Hike this trail early in the morning to avoid afternoon storms. Lightening and snow storms are not uncommon even in summer. The best time of year to hike this trail is mid summer after the snow has melted. If you are an experienced mountaineer, you’ll know what gear to bring for snowier months.

Other trails in this area you may like: Rosalie Trail, Square Tops Lake Trail, Sporting Times Trail, Silver Dollar Lake Trail.

For Guanella Pass Road Seasonal Conditions and Closure times click Colorado Dept. of Transport

Indian CreekTrail at Mount Evans Wildlife Area

This portion of Indian Creek trail is a peaceful and easy amble through pine forest, Aspen grove, grassy meadow and creek side scenery.

From the trailhead, you will begin by hiking uphill on a fire road. There is a gate across it to keep out motorized vehicles. This is the only incline on the trail.

After reaching the top of the hill you will move down to the creek which is a fly fisherman’s peaceful getaway. The trail (jeep ruts) runs beside the creek for about ½ mile. As the trail (the fire road) reaches the creek, turn right and follow the creek a couple hundred yards to the picnic table under the big pine. This is the end of this section of the Indian Creek Trail. It is a great place to eat. We turn around and head back to the trailhead.

If you want a longer trail in the area, go to the Lost Creek Trail #42 (for more information click the National Forest Service website).

Restrooms available at trailhead.

Note: Public access to Mt. Evans Wildlife Area prohibited Jan.1-June 14. (hunting season). For more information on this area click State Wildlife Areas.

Picnic Recommendations:
Alongside the peaceful creek in the tress at the end of the trail is a lone picnic table under a huge shady pine tree. This is a great area to eat and to toss a Frisbee or just enjoy the sound of the water.

From Jct I-70 and C-470 approximately 40 minutes.

Hell’s Hole Trail (TR #53)

Hell’s Hole (trail #53) is a hiking trail that begins at the Chicago Creek picnic ground (west of Idaho Springs). The trail is a 4 1/2 mile hike to the base of Gray Wolf Mountain – a place called Hell’s Hole. The trail ends at the base of the mountain in an open meadow. The area is gorgeous! With an open alpine meadow and small creek surrounded by high peaks, this place is worth the long hike!

The trail is well-maitained by the U.S. Forest Service and is moderately traveled. The trailhead begins in the Chicago Creek picnic area then passes through tall aspen stands, steep slopes, and pine forest. It is mostly an uphill climb and will take you a better part of the day to hike in and back out again. We had a picnic at the end of the trail (in Hell’s Hole) and just spent time taking in the beauty. A fantastic hike with great views!

Restrooms Available at trailhead.

Tag: Mt Evans Wilderness

Three Mile Creek Trail TR #635

Mt. Bierstadt Trail

Indian CreekTrail at Mount Evans Wildlife Area

Hell’s Hole Trail (TR #53)