Colorado is filled with so many snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, and incredible views, that picking where to explore can be tough. Look no further – here is our favorite hidden paradise for hikers and backpackers!
Sangre de Cristos Wilderness
The Sangre de Cristos are a stunning mountain range in Southern Colorado that spans 220,803 acres, 180 miles of trails, and includes four 14-ers. The jagged mountain peaks often have snow all year round, and feed tons of gushing streams and lakes that make the area lush and green in the summer.
This area is a 3-4 hour drive south from Denver, making it more remote and less crowded than some other mountain ranges. We still saw people on the trail during out trip here in July, but also had no difficulty finding a gorgeous camp spot with a fire ring and no people in sight.
Our Itinerary
We hiked Macy Trail from Friday-Sunday in July, 2023. Roundtrip, this was ~15 miles and ~3,500 feet of elevation gain.
- Friday: Left at 3 AM and arrived at trailhead around 7 AM. Hiked 6.5 miles (2,500 feet elevation gain) to Macy Lake
- Saturday: Explored the area. We hiked 2 miles round trip (1,000 feet elevation gain) to Upper Macy Lake. Our dog Bilbo loved playing in the streams along the way and we enjoyed a picnic lunch at the upper lake.
- Sunday: Enjoyed coffee and oatmeal next to the fire as the sun came up. Packed up camp and hiked 6.5 miles back, then made the 4-hour drive home.
Tips to Plan your Trip
- Get up early – no matter where you’re coming from, hit the road as early as possible to make the most out of your trip, ensure you get a parking spot, and get the best campsite possible for those backpacking.
- If you drive in the night before, you can also camp at the trailhead
- It may be worth it to pack up camp on Day 2 and set up back down the trail. The 6.5 mile hike out followed by a >4-hour drive home was brutal, and the Sunday traffic did not help!
- If Macy Lake is crowded, keep walking around the lake until you find a spot with more privacy.
- Bring warm gear to layer – even in July it got pretty chilly overnight.
- Go during the week if you can to avoid weekend crowds and traffic!
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We love exploring all that Colorado has to offer. Always remember to leave no trace if you do choose to visit so that others can enjoy too!
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We hope this helps you plan your perfect weekend getaway! Feel free to reach out if you’re planning to get out there!
Summer & Jackson
OutThere Travels
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