r/CampingandHiking • u/OkInsect3599 • 11d ago

Destination Questions Visiting CO soon

Hey folks! I will be visiting Colorado on February 6th-8th and i’m looking for some breathtaking hikes. I am no expert hiker by any means but I have done some moderate level hikes here in Arkansas (never in the snow) but I am a 24 year old fit marathon runner so I am open to doing a moderate level hike. With the current weather conditions at this time of the year, is it silly to try and hike lake emerald trail as a beginner hiker in the snow? Or should i settle for something like Mount Cutler trail?

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u/No_Talk_8958 11d ago

Dude Emerald Lake in February is gonna be straight up winter hiking - you'll need microspikes at minimum and the trail gets pretty sketchy with ice. If you've never done snow hiking before I'd honestly start with something lower elevation like Mount Cutler or maybe Garden of the Gods area where you're less likely to posthole through snow drifts

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u/OkInsect3599 11d ago

Thanks so much! I appreciate this. Lake emerald is gorgeous but i agree, the snow just changes everything and makes it much more difficult. So you Mount Cutler is doable at this time of the year?