Hope pass, Leadville Approach----9 miles, 3,203 elevation gain.
12,508 elevation on pass.
This specific weekend in Colorado is a lot of pressure for an avid hiker....The Aspens are Changing!! Which hike provides the most bang for your buck? Where can you find the most Aspens? Every year, I change up that answer and this year did not disappoint. Just driving down the 1-70 corridor or 24, you can't go wrong!
12,508 elevation on pass.
This specific weekend in Colorado is a lot of pressure for an avid hiker....The Aspens are Changing!! Which hike provides the most bang for your buck? Where can you find the most Aspens? Every year, I change up that answer and this year did not disappoint. Just driving down the 1-70 corridor or 24, you can't go wrong!
Hope Pass has two approaches. One is a mile shorter from the Buena Vista side. I did that wonderful hike in June of last year. Yesterday, I wanted to attack it from the Leadville side. It is hard to believe that the Leadville 100 God-like people run up the pass and down the pass as part of the Leadville 100 race....oh wait, and then they run up and down the pass again to get back to Leadville. I can't even.
The Trailhead is located near Leadville. Take 24 South to 82. Drive by this gorgeous little town called Twin Lakes and the trailhead will be soon on your left. If you drive about 3 miles further you will land in National Forest where we saw a turn off to the left with 6 dispersed camping spots and I am sure there were more if we kept driving. The hike starts at the Little willis trailhead. There is clear signage. After you park, cross the bridge. Do not veer left after the bridge, stay straight on the beaten path and you will see a sign for the big and little willis trail.
The Good: This trail has everything. The first mile of the hike is through incredible beaver ponds. WE SAW A BEAVER. I have never seen a beaver in my entire 13 years in Colorado. It was a sight to see. The next part of the trail takes you through tons of Aspen groves. After that, you hike through pine forest along a river and finally you ascend above treeline to the daunting Hope pass. The top offers views of the collegiates and Twin lakes. It is stunning.
It really has everything a Colorado hike has to offer!
The Bad: This time of year is a crap shoot above treeline. We met a man from Germany who was very discouraged by the wind and the snow. He turned around in frustration. My friend and I were worried about whether we would make it. It was freezing but once I saw the man in a kilt pass us, I knew that we would be ok.
The Trailhead is located near Leadville. Take 24 South to 82. Drive by this gorgeous little town called Twin Lakes and the trailhead will be soon on your left. If you drive about 3 miles further you will land in National Forest where we saw a turn off to the left with 6 dispersed camping spots and I am sure there were more if we kept driving. The hike starts at the Little willis trailhead. There is clear signage. After you park, cross the bridge. Do not veer left after the bridge, stay straight on the beaten path and you will see a sign for the big and little willis trail.
The Good: This trail has everything. The first mile of the hike is through incredible beaver ponds. WE SAW A BEAVER. I have never seen a beaver in my entire 13 years in Colorado. It was a sight to see. The next part of the trail takes you through tons of Aspen groves. After that, you hike through pine forest along a river and finally you ascend above treeline to the daunting Hope pass. The top offers views of the collegiates and Twin lakes. It is stunning.
It really has everything a Colorado hike has to offer!
The Bad: This time of year is a crap shoot above treeline. We met a man from Germany who was very discouraged by the wind and the snow. He turned around in frustration. My friend and I were worried about whether we would make it. It was freezing but once I saw the man in a kilt pass us, I knew that we would be ok.
The Beautiful: Beavers, Aspen Groves, Cascading waterfalls, Views of the Collegiate Peaks, Men in Kilts. Who could ask for anything more?
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| Look for beavers at the start of the hike |
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| The top of Hope Pass |
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