Hikes in the Rockies

Hikes in the Rockies

Hiking is our identity for us here at the channel and the entirety of the communities surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park and our National Forests. Some hike long, some short, and some do what they can as long as they can. Whatever your speed, we love these mountains and the creatures that share the precious environment. Hiking is described here in ultra-scenic short videos meant to entice, encourage and educate. See it all through the magic lenses of cinematographer Sean Doherty.

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Hikes in the Rockies
  • Medicine Bow Peak

    Stunning views, gorgeous wildflowers and a shocking discovery.

    At 12,018 feet, it is the highest peak in the Snowy Range, and features some of the most underrated and stunning scenery in Wyoming. While other trails in Colorado are swarming with people, this hidden gem offers much needed solitu...

  • Medicine Bow - Gap Lakes Trail

    Filmmaker, Sean Doherty, and his wife, Michelle, return to Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming to hike the Gap Lakes Trail, and during the hike they learn some surprising differences between the Pika here and in Rocky Mountain National Park.

  • Mills Lake

    Roundtrip Length: 5 mi Difficulty: Moderate

    The very popular trek to Mills Lake is well worth the slightly more than moderate effort. As with most hikes, an early or late in the day departure will reduce the number of albeit friendly hikers you meet on the trail (almost everyone on a trail i...

  • Mills Lake Winter Wonderland

    Relax and enjoy a stunningly beautiful winter hike to Mills Lake, named after the father of Rocky, Enos Mills.

  • Mount Olympus

    You've got to see the views from the top!

    In all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve always been drawn to this looming yet modest peak and now is our chance to tackle the approximately 1400 foot elevation gain to the top. The trailhead is located in Roosevelt National Forest about one mile east of...

  • Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes

    Roundtrip Length: 3.6 miles Difficulty: Moderate
    Start-End Elevation - 9,475' - 9,705' (Nymph): 9,912' (Dream): 10,090' (Emerald)

    Emerald Lake is by far one of the most popular hikes in Rocky in any season. Famous for the lily pads of summer, Nymph is the first of three classic lakes. Second...

  • Odessa Lake

    Roundtrip Length: 8.8 mi Difficulty: Moderate

    My favorite way to enjoy this fantastic hike to Odessa is to begin at Bear Lake and take the trail up to the connection to the mesmerizing views at Lake Helene and continue down to the classic shores of Odessa. From Odessa, I continue down to Fer...

  • Ouzel Falls

    It is true, we love our adventures above tree line in the dramatic landscapes of our National Park, but if one hike characterizes the sub-alpine spectacular offerings of Rocky, this is it. The six-mile round trip trek to Ouzel Falls never fails to amaze us. 

    Roundtrip Length: approximately 6 mil...

  • Ouzel Lake Hike

    Roundtrip Length: 10 mi Difficulty: Moderate

    Hike with us to Ouzel Lake!

  • Sandbeach Lake

    Roundtrip Length: 8.4 mi Difficulty: Strenuous

    Sandbeach Lake reminds us of one of those beautiful lake beaches where you can lay out on a towel, go for a swim or take a stroll on a spacious sandy beach. The only difference is that this lake is at 10,283 feet in elevation and is surrounded...

  • Shelf & Solitude Lakes

    There is something profoundly rewarding about discovering isolated spots in Rocky where we can disconnect from our busy lives and find inspiration from the beauty of these natural landscapes.

    Finding those places, however, can be a bit of a challenge when you’re in the third busiest National P...

  • Sky Pond

    Roundtrip Length: 10 mi Difficulty: Strenuous

    The Sky Pond hike is beautifully deceptive. More than a pond, the destination is not deceptive, but the final portion of the journey is. After an artfully carved “stairway to heaven”, a unique slippery climb up a waterfall brings us to a magnifi...

  • Snowshoe in Rocky

    Join adventure filmmaker Nick Molle as he showcases some of the best snowshoeing trails in Rocky Mountain National Park!

  • Sprague Lake

    Roundtrip Length: 0.8 mi Difficulty: Easy

    Enjoy a short walk around Sprague Lake in Rocky!

  • Tourmaline Lake

    Roundtrip Length: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

    Tourmaline Lake is one of those hikes in Rocky where the impressive part is not just the lake itself, but also the feeling of accomplishment after tackling this challenging journey. At 10,600 feet, the small aqua colored Tourmaline Lake incl...

  • Twin Sisters

    Roundtrip Length: 8 mi Difficulty: Strenuous

    Twin Sisters has the distinctive position among our hikes of being a great lookout to see the cities in the valley to the east and enjoy an exceptional view of the high peaks to the west.

  • Ute Trail

    A 6.5 mile hike from the Ute Crossing Trailhead to Beaver Meadows Trailhead
    Difficulty: Strenuous

    Nick Mollé hikes the ancient Ute Trail, and is left with a different perspective on this strenuous descent through the alpine tundra, forest and meadow landscapes.