Hiking Fourth of July Trail (many photos)

[Colorado CJ]

I went hiking today up at Fourth of July Trailhead. This trail system is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness just west of Nederland, CO. To get to the trailhead you have to drive 5 miles up a pretty rough dirt road, although not quite a four wheel drive road, it is none too smooth.

This is a pretty high set of trails which takes you up above timberline, so if you try it, be sure to bring plenty of water and get acclimated first.

All shots taken with my Pentax K20D and RMC Tokina 17mm F3.5 lens.

This is pretty typical of most of the trail. Pretty steep with exposed slopes.


Fourth-of-July-Trail-1 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-2 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-3 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

Up towards timberline, there is an old mine site. Plenty of holes and some equipment are still left up there. The trail system gets its name from this mine, the Fourth of July Mine.


Fourth-of-July-Trail-4 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-5 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-6 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

I took a snack break while hiking up the Arapaho Pass Trail. This trail takes you over the continental divide and the scenery is breathtaking.


Fourth-of-July-Trail-7 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-8 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-9 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-10 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-11 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-12 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-13 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Fourth-of-July-Trail-14 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

Well that's it. I got a late start today, so the sun really wasn't in the right place for most of the photos (shooting into the sun), but after around 10 miles of high country hiking, I'm pooped.

[Wolfgang55]

Good Job

[plutonic]

Stunning.

[DakarNick]

Very cool! Did you bring that winch back down with you?

[Dukeryder]

Nice Pics!