For experienced hikers, Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park offer a wide range of challenging and rewarding trails that will test your skills and reward you with breathtaking views. If you’re looking for an adventure, these parks are home to some of the best expert-level hikes in Colorado. In this guide, we’ll cover 6 of the best expert-level hikes in Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Expert Hikes Roosevelt National Forest Hikes

Roosevelt National Forest is a vast wilderness area located in northern Colorado, offering a wide range of trails for hikers of all skill levels, including challenging expert-level hikes. Some of the best expert-level hikes in Roosevelt National Forest include:

1. The Thunder Lake Trail: This 12-mile hike takes you to Thunder Lake, a serene alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks. The trail is strenuous in difficulty, with steep and rocky terrain, and a total elevation gain of over 2,500 feet.
2. The Mount Alice Trail: This 11-mile hike takes you to the top of Mount Alice, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The trail is strenuous in difficulty, with steep and rocky terrain, and a total elevation gain of over 4,000 feet.
3. The Mount Audubon Trail: This 8-mile hike takes you to the top of Mount Audubon, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The trail is strenuous in difficulty, with steep and rocky terrain, and a total elevation gain of over 3,500 feet.

Expert Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is a wilderness area that covers over 400 square miles of rugged mountain terrain, offering a wide range of trails for hikers of all skill levels, including challenging expert-level hikes. Some of the best expert-level hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park include:

1. The Longs Peak Trail: This 14-mile hike takes you to the top of Longs Peak, one of the tallest mountains in Colorado. The trail is strenuous in difficulty, with steep and rocky terrain, and a total elevation gain of over 5,000 feet.
2. The Mount Lady Washington Trail: This 10-mile hike takes you to the top of Mount Lady Washington, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The trail is strenuous in difficulty, with steep and rocky terrain, and a total elevation gain of over 4,000 feet.
3. The Mount Tileston Trail: This 12-mile hike takes you to the top of Mount Tileston, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The trail is strenuous in difficulty, with steep and rocky terrain, and a total elevation gain of over 4,500 feet.

When hiking expert-level trails, it’s important to be well prepared and properly equipped. You should have a good pair of hiking shoes, plenty of water, a map and compass, a first-aid kit, and appropriate clothing and gear for the weather conditions. It’s also important to be aware of your physical limitations and to hike at a pace that is comfortable for you.

When hiking in Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s also important to follow Leave No Trace principles, which include packing out all of your trash, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife and other hikers.

Overall, Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park offer a wide range of challenging and rewarding hikes for experienced hikers.