Looking for some advice here on where to go this weekend for the most scenic views within 2-2.5 hours of Colorado Springs. There are a few requirements that I am trying to meet:
1. Must be above tree line with great views
2. Ideally on a summit (so just about any 12er or above should work)
3. Ideally there will be some aspens near or on the trail
4. Hike of up to 5 miles RT, up to 2,000' elevation gain (the furthest I can go in about 2.5 hours maximum time on trail)
5. Don't care much if there are crowds as long as it's not Bierstadt amount of people
6. Must be 8-hour round trip from Colorado Springs area, but ideally more like 6 or 7
7. Prefer not to be in the Mosquito Range
So far I have it narrowed down to Twining Peak from Independence Pass or Boreas Mountain from Boreas Pass, but would love to hear other ideas.
Scenic Views Above Treeline
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NatDog
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colorado yooper
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Re: Scenic Views Above Treeline
Sentinel Point West side of Pikes Peak.
1hr from Springs.
2000ish feet vert.
12k ish
Not the best trail but its beautiful!
1hr from Springs.
2000ish feet vert.
12k ish
Not the best trail but its beautiful!
To the High Crags!
Re: Scenic Views Above Treeline
Mount Democrat is 2 hours drive, 4 miles RT and 2100 ft elevation gain from Kite Lake Trailhead. Sentinel Point will be more scenic and less peopled, but with less panoramic summit views being a subpeak of Pikes Peak.
If you really want to go off the beaten path, Black Mountain at 11659 is not above tree line but the cliff at the summit provides 270° views and the isolation makes for incredible views of the Sawatch, Sangres, and Front Range. There is no trail but I can share a route up the north ridge if interested, with 1500’ elevation gain and 5 miles RT that follows the eroded volcanic cliffs tops up, providing great views for most of the ascent.
If you really want to go off the beaten path, Black Mountain at 11659 is not above tree line but the cliff at the summit provides 270° views and the isolation makes for incredible views of the Sawatch, Sangres, and Front Range. There is no trail but I can share a route up the north ridge if interested, with 1500’ elevation gain and 5 miles RT that follows the eroded volcanic cliffs tops up, providing great views for most of the ascent.
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jrs1965
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Re: Scenic Views Above Treeline
Bison Peak. Not sure about the Aspen status tho...
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greenschist
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Re: Scenic Views Above Treeline
Off the top of my head:
Greenhorn Mountain from the upper trailhead. You get above treeline after less than half a mile, and walk on untrailed tundra to the summit. No aspens except on the drive up. The drive is longer than it seems: nearly 3 hours, with at least an hour on an easy dirt road until the last quarter mile (clearance required, 4wd optional, you can park just before it gets rough). The hike can be done in just over 5 miles if you descend from the right saddle to the Bartlett trail. Unlikely to be crowded. Great views of the Sangres.
California Peak, north ridge. A bit longer than you're looking for at just over 8 miles. Lots of great aspens on the trail before you gain the ridge, and views of more nearby as the trail crosses a meadow. You can get great views just from the ridge without summiting the peak. You'll need some good clearance but not necessarily 4wd to reach the trailhead, about a 2.5 hour drive from the Springs. Lots of aspens on the drive up as well. Also unlikely to be crowded. Here's a helpful TR.
Sheep Mountain near Pike's Peak. This is an odd one. I haven't hiked it but it's been on my to-do list for a while. It's right between Pikes and Almagre Mountain, and is visible from town if you're far enough north. If you have a good 4wd with high clearance you can reach the end of FS road 376A (Bull Park Road), and from there it's about 5 miles to the summit. No trail but it seems like an easy and short bushwhack to treeline. You will see aspens on the drive up for sure. Pretty likely to have the summit to yourself. The road seems tough. Here's a video from within the last week. You can ignore the first few minutes, the actual road starts at 3:39 with a creek crossing. Getting to this crossing takes about 1.5 hours from the springs, on either Old Stage Rd or the long way through Divide. Take note of the obstacle at about 4:36, which is pretty early on in the drive. If you have to hike up the road, you're looking at more like 8-10 miles roundtrip. On a weekend I'd say you do have a chance of hitching a ride in somebody's Jeep and shortening the hike.
If you have a low-clearance car and are willing to drive to Indy Pass, then Twining Peak should be fine. There's also Igloo Peak going south from the pass which should be a similar effort. You'll be totally above treeline though, with the only aspens being on the drive up.
Greenhorn Mountain from the upper trailhead. You get above treeline after less than half a mile, and walk on untrailed tundra to the summit. No aspens except on the drive up. The drive is longer than it seems: nearly 3 hours, with at least an hour on an easy dirt road until the last quarter mile (clearance required, 4wd optional, you can park just before it gets rough). The hike can be done in just over 5 miles if you descend from the right saddle to the Bartlett trail. Unlikely to be crowded. Great views of the Sangres.
California Peak, north ridge. A bit longer than you're looking for at just over 8 miles. Lots of great aspens on the trail before you gain the ridge, and views of more nearby as the trail crosses a meadow. You can get great views just from the ridge without summiting the peak. You'll need some good clearance but not necessarily 4wd to reach the trailhead, about a 2.5 hour drive from the Springs. Lots of aspens on the drive up as well. Also unlikely to be crowded. Here's a helpful TR.
Sheep Mountain near Pike's Peak. This is an odd one. I haven't hiked it but it's been on my to-do list for a while. It's right between Pikes and Almagre Mountain, and is visible from town if you're far enough north. If you have a good 4wd with high clearance you can reach the end of FS road 376A (Bull Park Road), and from there it's about 5 miles to the summit. No trail but it seems like an easy and short bushwhack to treeline. You will see aspens on the drive up for sure. Pretty likely to have the summit to yourself. The road seems tough. Here's a video from within the last week. You can ignore the first few minutes, the actual road starts at 3:39 with a creek crossing. Getting to this crossing takes about 1.5 hours from the springs, on either Old Stage Rd or the long way through Divide. Take note of the obstacle at about 4:36, which is pretty early on in the drive. If you have to hike up the road, you're looking at more like 8-10 miles roundtrip. On a weekend I'd say you do have a chance of hitching a ride in somebody's Jeep and shortening the hike.
If you have a low-clearance car and are willing to drive to Indy Pass, then Twining Peak should be fine. There's also Igloo Peak going south from the pass which should be a similar effort. You'll be totally above treeline though, with the only aspens being on the drive up.
