Hiking Colorado S Sangre De Cristos And Great Sand Dunes

Lace up your boots and head into Colorado's rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains to explore this spine of soaring peaks that stand more than a mile above the San Luis and Wet Mountain Valleys. Here you'll discover plunging creeks, gorges cut from chunky conglomerate, and valleys where elk, bighorn sheep, coyote, and cougar live. Climb Kit Carson Mountain, Crestone Needle, or Blanca Peak; hike Black Canyon or Wild Cherry Creek. Wander the Great Sand Dunes National Park, which has the tallest dunes in North America. Local hiker and outdoor writer Lee Hart will introduce you to these trails and many more. Inside you'll find: up-to-date trail information; accurate directions to wilderness trails; difficulty ratings; topographic trail maps; zero-impact tips. Whether you are planning a day hike or an extended backpacking trip, you'll find trails suited to every ability and interest in one of the most beautiful regions of Colorado.

* Guidebook to hiking, biking, or climbing in the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains. * Details unlimited recreational opportunities for the park's 225,000 annual visitors * 210 color photographs and 40 color maps * Color-coded tabs and activity symbols for quick reference Nowhere else in North America do alpine tundra, tall forests of evergreen and aspen, and massive desert dunes meet so dramatically as in our nation's newest crown jewel. This book is the essential guide to one of the nation's newest national parks. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve earned this status in 2003, and became an instant treasure both for Coloradans and vacationers everywhere.

This hiking guide to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness offers more than 70 hikes to explore the length of the range. Additional information on geology, history, and wildlife round out this superb guidebook.

From mountainous trails to scenic paths, Hiking Colorado, Fourth Edition, provides readers with a comprehensive guide to Colorado's many hikes. With updated maps and photography, reviser Sandy Heise leads readers through Colorado's many exciting outdoor adventures. Using GPS coordinates and detailed maps of each route, Hiking Colorado is the most complete and accessible hiking guide available.

DREAM IT This guide features concise descriptions and maps for 50 beautiful hikes throughout Colorado. Hikers of all levels can enjoy beautiful views, get fit in the outdoors, and learn about the region’s history. PLAN IT Hiking Colorado provides the latest information to plan a customized trip: • Popular and lesser-known hikes • Full-color photos, maps, and trailhead GPS • Insightful hike overviews, details on distance, difficulty, accessibility, and more. DO IT This guide takes you from the trailhead to: • Find hikes suited to any ability • Experience the thrill of exploring new landscapes and viewing wildlife • Discover alpine lakes, spectacular mountain views, and much more.

Best Lake Hikes Colorado includes detailed hike descriptions, maps, and color photos for approximately 100 of the most scenic lake hikes in the state. Hike descriptions include history, local trivia, and GPS coordinates. Best Lake Hikes Colorado will take you through state and national parks, forests, monuments and wilderness areas, and from popular city parks to the most remote and secluded corners of the area to view the most spectacular lakes.

From historic landmarks to early settlement sites and more, this book is the perfect companion for any hiker with an interest in history. Make no mistake—this is a hiking book first and foremost, complete with rich photos and detailed maps, but with added extras and sidebars detailing enough historical information to satisfy every curiosity along the way.