Personally, I just try to make the most of any place I'm in, and appreciate it for what it is. Even if it's the local trail that I've hiked a hundred times, it is never exactly the same experience. And that's what makes it fun (to me).
And finding beauty in what would ordinarily pass as a "mundane" trail is precisely what makes the exceptional places so awe-inspiring.
> The only thing this article really shows is that every
> state has a nice place to go hiking.
"a nice place" - Some states literally may have just one.
I totally agree the Enchantments are more spectacular, but they require some serious commitment and are not likely to be enjoyed by the vast majority casual hikers.
It's to generate clicks, because people will wonder if their favorite hike is on the list.
Just like when you see a magazine wants to increase readership or clicks from a particular region, it may publish a top ten list specific to that region.
It's the hiking equivalent of "See girls looking for love in localhost!"
> It's the hiking equivalent of "See girls looking
> for love in localhost!"
State may not be the perfect way to break things up (I can easily drive across connecticut in a couple hours, not so much in Texas or California), but there's no other commonly used grid system to break up the country.
I’m sure anyone capable of putting together a list like this fully understands how subjective it is and would probably love to include more.
It’s just a list of possibilities to get people thinking and spark inspiration.
I found it helpful since I often just want a rough list of hikes to look into further. Other resources focus on specific areas, so I like how broad this one is.
1. Cascade Creek Trail to Crater Lake near Tabernash, CO (starts on the southern side of Lake Granby)
2. East Inlet Trail to Lake Verna (starts on the northern side of Lake Granby)
3. Jasper Lake Trail (near Nederland CO, can take a shuttle from the town to the trailheads)
4. Chicago Lakes Trail by Mt. Evans
Those all fall into a category of hike that you can complete by early-mid afternoon if you start around 7 or 8 AM.
Then there are ton that are 2+ days to complete. The most famous one is the Maroon Bells loop, which I haven't done yet. But one I loved was near Aspen, taking the Maroon Snowmass trail up to Snowmass Lake, camping overnight, and heading back. Most folks extend the trip and summit Snowmass Mountain the next morning.
There are ton of much shorter hikes a very short distance away from Denver that are good to do most of the year. Pretty much anything in Evergreen (Alderfer Three Sisters Trail), Apex Trail near Morrison, Walker Ranch loop by Boulder. Hanging lakes is farther away, but next to Maroon Bells as one of the most famous and highly trafficked hikes.
I've only been here a year and a half and have a lot more to explore.
If looking for more of a day trip Pikes Peak is really good too.
If looking for something closer Matthew Winters near Red Rocks is good but normally busy.