distance: 30 miles (loop) | elevation: 6,152’ (8,600’ starting) | difficulty: strenuous

You know those holidays that have expectations? Birthdays, New Year’s Eve… That holiday for me last year? Memorial Day weekend. Kinda weird, yeah? Well, with Covid-19, I barely left my house for over two months (tbh, I still barely do). That included hiking, which I normally do at least every other weekend. That means when I decided to finally leave my house I wanted an epic adventure, but also as few people as you possibly could on a holiday weekend.

What fit the bill? A 30-mile backpacking loop through Lost Creek Wilderness.

distance: 14.9 miles (out & back) | elevation: 2,693’ (8,350’ starting) | difficulty: moderate/strenuous

Colorado seriously spoils you because almost every hike you go on could become a new favorite. 

Lone Eagle Peak had been on my list for a while. Lone Eagle Peak (or Crater Lake) is located on the western side of Indian Peaks Wilderness – one of my favorite places in Colorado (hard to pick a fav!). If you’re a camper and a fan of eating freeze-dried food, you may have eaten Backpacker’s Pantry… and ya might notice a familiar view.