18 W E S T W O R D S u m m e r G u i d e 2 0 2 5 westword.com Petal Pursuit FIVE BEST HIKES FOR SEEING COLORADO WILDFLOWERS. BY A BIGA I L BL ISS Every summer, Colorado’s landscape comes alive with vibrant blooms. There are count- less places to admire the splendor, from colorful hikes near Denver to high alpine meadows and, of course, the state’s famed wildfl ower capital of Crested Butte. While on your petal pursuit, remember the usual terms and conditions: Leave no trace, stick to the trail, and do not pick the po- sies, as pretty as they may be. With etiquette in mind and your camera in hand, you’ll be all set for these fi ve standout wildfl ower hikes across Colorado: Acorn Creek Loop Silverthorne Moderate, 4.6-mile loop A quick detour off Interstate 70, the Acorn Creek trailhead lies fi fteen minutes north of downtown Silverthorne. Stretch your legs on this moderate lollipop loop, heading clockwise for a more gradual ascent of just over 1,000 feet. The trail meanders through lodgepole pine forests, aspen groves and creek crossings before opening up to expan- sive views of the dramatic Gore Range. Trek down from this 9,500-foot vantage point, admiring purple mountain lupines, scarlet gilia and thick clusters of yellow mule’s ears along the narrow path. Despite the various landscapes and free, accessible parking, not many venture out on this hike aside from lo- cals. For an even more secluded experience, check out the challenging 9.6-mile trail to the top of Ute Peak, which shares the same starting point. Booth Falls Vail ................................. Though located just off Vail Pass, the Booth Falls trailhead is a little tricky to access be- cause of its ever-growing popularity — but the breathtaking views make up for the crowds. Visit on a weekday for less foot traffi c and plan to park in Vail Village, where free buses pick up hikers as often as every fi fteen minutes. Following a quick ten-min- ute ride, hop off and begin your hike through the Eagle’s Nest Wilderness. The steady but steep incline gains more than 1,300 feet of elevation, but the scenery makes the journey seem less strenuous, with pops of wild raspberries, purple fi elds of aspen daisies and golden Oregon grapes hidden low among the rocks. The trail culminates at an impressive cascading waterfall. Snap photos, then circle back the way you came, keeping an eye out for bighorn sheep and other wildlife. Cathedral Lake Trail Aspen ................................. Brimming with blooms, this hike near Aspen leads to one of the most stunning alpine lakes in Colorado. The switchbacks to Cathedral Lake are not for the faint of heart, however. In just 2.6 miles, this trail gains a staggering 2,000 feet of elevation. But altitude-adjusted adventurers will be in awe of the red and rosy paintbrushes, golden asters, mountain buckwheat and abundance of sunfl owers leading to the turquoise-blue pool. Watch cutthroat trout swimming in the shallows; take a cold plunge with jagged granite peaks in the backdrop. Parking is limited, so arrive early to snag a spot and avoid the mountains’ notorious afternoon thunderstorms. ...................... Kremmling ................................ An iconic hike near Steamboat Springs, the path up Rabbit Ears Peak is strewn with wildfl owers. Purple fi reweed, alpine sunfl owers and Colorado’s treasured col- umbines are among the colorful meadow’s variety. This segment of the wide trail is fairly easy-going, gaining roughly 670 feet in elevation across 2.2 miles. For a chal- lenge, complete the remaining 300-foot, half-mile push to the top of the volcanic formation. It resembled its namesake more closely at one point, but due to erosion, the rabbit ears shape has deteriorated — and caused the fi nal stretch to be a scramble over loose rock. At the summit, admire panoramic views of the Zirkel Wilderness, where you can often see hawks fl ying high above; grouse, hummingbirds and other species add to the birdwatching opportunities. Walrod Loop ............. Moderate, 4.4-mile loop Famed as Colorado’s wildfl ower capital, Crested Butte offers an abundance of trails, including the stunning Walrod Loop. Lu- pines and mule’s ear sunfl owers blanket the mountainside, while pockets of mariposa lilies surprise hikers with a keen eye. This path begins in the residential neighborhood of Crested Butte South and sees less traffi c than options closer to town; enjoy the soli- tude, but note the lack of shade. Early risers may want to knock out the diffi cult portion of the trail fi rst, hiking counterclockwise and ascending nearly 1,000 feet across 1.3 miles; consider heading the opposite direction for a more gradual incline in the afternoon heat. If you would prefer a guided experience, visit during the Crested Butte Wildfl ower Festival. This annual ten-day celebration will feature extensive programming, including expert-led hikes along the Walrod Loop on July 14 and 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ....................................................... TOWN OF SILVERTHORNE
