Home Trip Reports Backpacking Trips Flat Tops Wilderness. Situated between 8,000’ – 12,000’, the Flat Tops … Chinese Wall Trail to the Lost Lakes Peaks. DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate below timberline; strenuous to alpine lakes. All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC © 2020, Current Operating Guidelines & New Booking Terms →. A 19-mile loop veering north off the West Branch on the connecting Rawah Trail explores the many area lakes and returns on Camp Lake Trail. Our Trip begins at the Mirror Lake Trailhead in the stunning Flat Tops. ), rivers, waterfalls, volcanic peaks (up to nearly 13,000 feet), abundant wildlife, incredible trout fishing, and world-class hiking and backpacking. 13 July 2016. Devil's Causeway Loop 11.1 mi 17.9 km • 1,844' Up 562.16 m Up • 1,850' Down 563.9 m Down. Our guides are mainly Colorado natives, and all bring an average of 25 years backcountry backpacking experience to the table assuring you get the trip of a lifetime without the worry. There is absolutely no vehicle access into the area. #1 - Devil's Causeway, Lost Lakes, and Chinese Wall, #2 - Devil's Causeway, Skinny Fish and Trappers Lake Loop. We’ll traverse the verdant meadows along the massive Flat Tops Plateau and camp by high mountain lakes and streams. There will be 4-6 guests on these trips, guided by an experienced backcountry crew of three staff members. By Rocky Mountain standards, where lung-busting ascents are commonplace, the 235,230-acre Flat Tops Wilderness is hiker-friendly. Government information and links are at the bottom of this page.. You can see the unique splendor of the Flat Tops Wilderness in a 64 min. Once on top you'll find moderate striding across rolling tundra. The trail grade gets a bit steeper here as you gain elevation and get a great look back at trapper's lake. This loop is a challenging two day loop or a moderate three day loop. Backpacking is an exceptional way to enjoy the world's amazing national parks, wilderness areas and remote landscapes! Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides offer amazing guided backpacking, fly fishing, and multiday wilderness experiences in the Flat Top Wilderness ranging from 3 to 10 days. F lat Tops Wilderness is the second largest U.S. Wilderness Area in Colorado. Public access is by foot and horseback only. Parking at the Trapper's Lake trailhead, take the journey to Wall Lake, one of the larger of the hundreds of lakes in the forest. Gypsum, CO. Flat Tops Wilderness Hiking. We offer four backpacking treks including the four-day Chinese Wall Trek which ascends the incredible South Fork of the White River. However, getting to enjoy an overnight backpacking trek through a place like the Flat Tops Wilderness Area in Colorado takes the fun of the experience and heightens it. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! The Flat Tops are a nature-lover’s paradise with vibrant wildlife habitat, amazing wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, fascinating natural and cultural history, and a plethora of panoramic views that will awe even the most experienced of mountain travelers. The mountain area composing the Flat Tops contains over 110 lakes full of fish, and also has some of the most extensive areas above timberline in Colorado. So, once you make the initial hike up to the top of the plateau, the elevation gain is moderate, and the vistas are incredible. For those not familiar, the Flat Tops Wilderness is actually the birthplace of wilderness in the United States. Hike to West Lost Lake on Day 1, hike to Skinny Fish Lake on Day 2, and hike back to the trailhead on Day 3. In my opinion, the best part of the Lost Creek Wilderness. Pictures, sketches, and descriptions of my hiking adventures. Arroyo Pescadero Trail is a 2 mile loop trail located near Whittier, California that offers the chance to see wildlife. One of my favorite Flat Tops hikes is the Marvine Loop, a 21-mile long trail that circles you through the forest, up to the Flat Tops, and back down the other side. Gypsum, CO. Pack weights vary between 25 and 45 pounds, depending on the duration of the trip, the time of year, and your height and weight. The area consists of over 200,000 acres of beautiful natural landscape. The main elevation gain takes place along one major scramble up the wall of the valley about halfway through the trip. Once reaching the top, you are treated to an amazing view back down into the forest. Flat Tops: Island Lakes ... First order of business is to try to follow the trail along the top of these flat tops that is randomly good or absolutely invisible. Flat Tops is Colorado's second largest Wilderness, a precious expanse of open land. The larger loop goes along the ridge between McCurdy Mountain and Bison Peak. Also, footage … Beginning at Trappers Lake, the very spot where Arthur Carhart originally fell in love with the Flat Tops nearly 100 years ago, this 23-mile loop can be done in either direction and makes for a comfortable two- to three-day backpacking adventure. Beautiful scenery, elk and other wildlife filmed during the summer of 1997. Our closest camps in the Flat Tops Wilderness are 2 miles and 1,800 ft. elevation gain from our base camp. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Flat Tops Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The easiest hike to the Devil's Causeway is from the Stillwater Reservoir. If enjoying an epic Colorado backpacking trip is on your list, then join us in the Flat Tops for an adventure you’ll never forget! Colorado's stunning Flat Tops Wilderness is one of the state's most expansive wilderness areas - it is a wonderland of alpine lakes (over 100! Flagstaff, Arizona 86004. The Flat Tops are more of a huge elevated plateau rather than a typical mountain range, but the plateau has been eroded into many individual peaks and summits, and most of them are flat-topped, or dome-like as are the Lost Lakes Peaks. It's located in Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness Area. One advantage of the Flat Tops, is that, as the name suggests, they are a big plateau. Encompassing more than 235,000 acres, the Flat Tops are the second largest U.S. Wilderness Area in the state of Colorado. Flat Tops Wilderness Area is the third largest U.S. Wilderness Area in Colorado.It is 235,214 acres (951.88 km 2), with 38,870 acres (157.3 km 2) in Routt National Forest and 196,344 acres (794.58 km 2) in White River National Forest.It was designated a wilderness area in 1975. Colorado has many amazing outdoor and wilderness gems, but the Flat Top Wilderness Area is truly special. The strip of lands narrows to under four-feet across, flanked by sheer drops on either side. Best backpacking trails in Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado 83 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Flat Tops Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. On a backpacking trip you'll camp in the backcountry and carry everything you need for the trip in a top-of-the-line, fitted backpack we provide. Posted by Jeff on Aug 4, 2011 @ 8:51 pm in Colorado, Flat Tops Wilderness, Hiking, Hiking Blog, Rated Moderate Hikes, Water Hikes | 6 comments | Last modified: December 25, 2017 . In the Flat Tops, there are six peak… video - Island of the Rockies - Sights and Sounds of the Flat Tops Wilderness. This is a backpacking video of two nights spent on the Devils Causeway Loop Trail in the Flat Tops Wilderness area of Colorado. Flat Tops Wilderness. Once above the treeline, around 11,000 feet, the landscape opens up into a surprisingly flat meadow with horizons visible on all sides and views of jagged cliffs and lush valleys below. We use one breathtaking campsite for three nights, allowing us to explore on day … If you’re feeling energetic while on the Causeway Loop, … For 82 scenic miles, Colorado's Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway winds its way through lush river valleys, skirts the bountiful Flat Tops Wilderness and climbs over two of Colorado’s least-traveled passes. These 10,000- to 12,354-foot-high tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. August 1, 2008 April 22, 2017 Backpacking Trips, Trip Reports. #5 - Devils Causeway and Island Lakes Loop, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Devil's Causeway, Lost Lakes, and Chinese Wall, Devil's Causeway, Skinny Fish and Trappers Lake Loop. All meals are prepared by your guide and we provide nearly all the gear. From there is is relatively flat, and you will walk along many tiny lakes as you cross the wide open flats to Wall Lake. Elevation starts at 8,400 feet and tops out at 12,951 feet. Devil’s Causeway is a narrow land bridge located in the Flat Tops Wilderness. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking, trail running & walking. I haven't been to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, but the terrain is quite a bit steeper there, so I'm guessing we'd take lower mileage days there than in the Flat Tops. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. North Derby and Hooper Lake Trails, Flat Tops Wilderness. Our five day wilderness camp trips are for anglers wanting a true adventure. About two miles into the trip, you leave the burned area and enter the green untouched part of the forest. Pemi or Franconia Ridge Loop/Traverse, Pemigewasset Wilderness, New Hampshire - 32 miles (1-3 days) This iconic trek through the trail-packed White Mountains crosses eight summits, which is why it’s considered the second hardest day hike in the U.S. (we recommend savoring it over a few days). Our farthest camps are 9+ miles and over 3,500 ft elevation gain into the area. Enjoy expansive wilderness and peaceful solitude in Colorado's Flat Tops. The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is located near Aspen, as well as Glenwood Springs. The hike is fairly intense at times but the beauty of the area makes all the effort worth it. The Flat Top’s offers amazing backpacking and mult-iday wilderness experiences from 3 days to more than 10 days. Our horseback summer camp is in one of the most remote locations in the Flat Tops Wilderness, and correspondingly most remote locations in the 48 States! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. To reach the trailhead turn westbound onto County Road 7 off of Highway 131 in the town of Yampa, roughly halfway between Wolcott and Steamboat Springs. The United States Congress designated the Flat Tops Wilderness in 1975 and it now has a total of 235,214 acres.All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the White River and Routt National Forests. The first part of the hike takes us through the burned out remains of the forest from a 2002 wildfire which is now strongly coming back, with the floor of the forest blanketed by bright green grasses and shrubbery around the fallen trees. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 At the end of the journey in Meeker, you're greeted by a town filled with pastoral charm and a gritty history.Make these pit stops along the way: Backpacking The Flat Tops Wilderness (Colorado) If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Flat Tops Wilderness Area. ), rivers, waterfalls, volcanic peaks (up to nearly 13,000 feet), abundant wildlife, incredible trout fishing, and world-class hiking and backpacking. We are also considering the Lost Creek Loop (about a 30 mile loop) and the Four-pass Loop (shouldn't be too crowded during the week). The Flat Tops Explorer is an ideal choice for families. Parking has a port-a-potty. Colorado’s stunning Flat Tops Wilderness is one of the state’s most expansive wilderness areas – it is a wonderland of alpine lakes (over 100! Situated between 8,000’ – 12,000’, the Flat Tops are a combination of large lakes, pristine rivers, high plateau mountains, and amazing scenery. For those wishing to spend extended time in the wilderness or take it easy, it makes for a nice four day loop as well. Flat Tops Wilderness: Once you get up to the Flat Tops, this area is hiker-friendly and provides a change of scenery from the jagged peaks we’re used to. Located near the towns of Yampa and Steamboat Springs, it is … The weekend of August 1, 2008, Tracy and I headed to the Flat Tops Wilderness in Colorado for a three day hiking trip. Island Lake / South Derby Creek – Flat Tops Wilderness Posted: Jun 03, 2014 by Sam Szarka The Island Lakes trail (#1857) begins near Crescent and Mackinaw Lakes and climbs over a mountain pass offering great views of the three Island Lakes below. Day One- 5.6 Miles. The Wall Lake/Trappers Lake route is an excellent option for those looking for a longer adventure. RECOMMENDED ROUTE ... Causeway Lake 10.1 mi 16.3 km • 2,383' Up 726.38 m Up • 2,383' Down 726.3 m Down. We have gone through all our favorite trips and compiled a combination of all the best things, narrowing it down to one majestic loop we would love to share with you. The Flat Top Wilderness Area is Colorado’s 2nd largest wilderness area and is one of the states best and most secluded wilderness experiences. A relatively undiscovered gem, it offers an experience of solitude and serenity not easily matched in Colorado’s more well-known areas like Summit County, the Durango area and the Front Range. Family Adventure. Have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed, Operating... Of three staff members Current Operating Guidelines & New Booking Terms → and used! Makes all the gear is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking trail! 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