Outdoor Project

This trailhead is nestled in the western Flat Tops with two Forest Service campgrounds within a half mile. The trail is well defined and alternates from singletrack to a width sufficient for two or three people. The first mile leads through rolling forest and then opens up to a valley that you will continue along for the next 3 miles. The canyons on either side of the valley boast fantastic scenery, especially by the middle of September when the fall colors are particularly superb.

Those willing to make a scenic drive through the White River Widlerness will be rewarded with a quiet hike and scenic foliage. From the trailhead, cross a meadow south of the parking area, then ascend into the Flat Tops Wilderness after about 0.5 miles. Follow the Marvine Creek through a narrow valley until views open wide into an open meadow. Continue on the singletrack trail through stunning aspen, fir, and pine trees. After 6 miles you will reach Marvine Lake, which is great for a scenic stop or a fishing break. Retrace your steps back to the parking area back to your car.

One of the most popular destinations for outstanding hikes in the Aspen area, The Grottos is a wonderful playground for families and water lovers as well. The Grottos offers easy hiking for all ages, lots of picturesque waterfalls and cascades, marvelous carved rock formations, deep fissured ice caves (which may or may not have any ice depending on the season), and it is all within a short drive from Aspen.

The ideal weather in Moab is during spring and fall, but many people only have the option to travel in summer, when heat and sun can be oppressive in the rocky desert. To maximize summer fun in Moab and minimize exposure, it is best to do half-day trips that start early and end before temperatures get too intense. But then what to do in the afternoon?

The La Sals are one of the most under-visited mountain ranges in Utah. This is surprising considering their prominence and proximity to Moab. Plenty of people drive the scenic La Sal Loop Road, but few actually venture onto the slopes to experience this idyllic wilderness.

One of the most spectacular and accessible hikes in the Colorado's Maroon Bells Recreation Area is the hike up the Maroon-Snomass Trail from Maroon Lake to Crater Lake. This is a great trail to take after watching the sunrise from the bottom of Maroon Lake. It is popular and crowded during the peak hours when the shuttle bus is running, so doing it early is recommended.

Aspen boosters claim that the area has more than 110 trails, and one of the most-loved local trails is the Hunter Creek Trail. Part of a complex of trails that stretch from the eastern edge of town all the way into the Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness, Hunter Creek has so much to offer all levels of hiker. The lower trail starts a few blocks from downtown Aspen and follows Hunter Creek through dense aspen and conifer forest. The upper trail climbs up past the National Forest boundary and into high meadows with views of the Elk Mountains to the west and the Sawatch Mountains to the east.

Difficult Campground is the closest camping to Aspen, just 6 miles from downtown, and it is an excellent place to enjoy all aspects of one of Colorado's most well-known mountain communities. To most people, just the mention of Aspen brings up images of jet-setters in fur-lined ski outfits, four-star restaurants and $20 million homes with a view of the ski slopes.

Mount Olympus is a dominating presence on the Salt Lake City skyline and makes for one of the area's most rewarding hikes. Its craggy summit juts up nearly a mile above the valley floor below, beckoning hikers to try to gain it. The north side of the mountain is terrain full of cliffs and enormous slabs of broken quartzite, the domain of mountain goats and rock climbers. The west side, on the other hand, offers more modest grades and a trail that can take even mortals to the top of this impressive 9,026-foot peak.

While a hike on the West Brush Creek Trail in Colorado's Sylvan Lake State Park is absolutely advisable, visitors should know that the West Brush Creek Trail is a bit misnamed. It does roughly follow the course of West Brush Creek, but most of the route stays high above the creek on either side. There are only a few spots along the trail where the creek is easily accessible, so it is not worth bringing a fishing rod on this hike.