Topping out 14,270 feet above sea level, Summit County offers some of the best hiking in Colorado. Mountain views, glacial lakes and summit sunrises unlike any other, it’s no wonder Summit County is a hiker’s haven – and thankfully you don’t have to be a mountaineer to see it! There are over 200 miles of hiking trails in Summit County, catering to all experience levels and preferences.
It’s important to remember that Summit County is at high elevation. Be sure to stay hydrated, always carry extra water, and appropriate clothing and footwear can be the difference between a great hike or a grueling one. Remember to reapply the sunscreen often and if you ever feel altitude sickness coming on (dizziness, headache, muscle aches or nausea) head back down.
The best thing to do to make sure your body has acclimated to the altitude? Start slow with a leisurely stroll around Rainbow Lake. Accessible from Main Street in Frisco, this out-and-back family-friendly hike is less than a mile, meandering through wetlands, Aspen groves, lodgepole pines and eventually ending at a beaver pond. Want to continue the hike? This trail connects to Miners Creek Road or the Peaks trail – an easy path that will take you all the way to Breckenridge. (Note - Miners Creek Road and the Peaks trail are both rated as more difficult than Rainbow Lake.)
If its views you're after without wanting to gain too much altitude, Sapphire Point Overlook Trail is unbeatable. Located between Keystone and Breckenridge on Swan Mountain Road, this loop trail offers panoramic views of Lake Dillon and both the Gore and Ten Mile mountain ranges from 9,500 feet. Running just over half a mile, this hike offers everything a more advanced hike would without the extra work!
Looking for something a bit longer but still not ready to summit a fourteener? Lily Pad Lake just outside of Silverthorne is a 3.2-mile out-and-back trail with only a few hundred feet elevation gain. Bring a picnic lunch and a fishing pole (Colorado fishing license required) and relax by the lake, enjoying the vibrant yellow blooms of the enormous lily pads and keeping an eye out for moose, deer, and elk!
You don’t have to climb the Rocky Mountains to enjoy them, simply know where to go! If you’re dreaming of spending your day experiencing panoramic views and wildlife, start planning your Summit County getaway today! Book your stay with River Ridge Rentals where you’ll find a variety of luxury vacation accommodations to fit your needs.