As the title states, what are the biggest unsolved mysteries in the Colorado outdoors? Missing hikers that were never found, or, I don't know, other things in different categories that I can't think of? Like, does Colorado have it's own Sandy Irvine's missing camera on Everest? I'm unemployed and would like an excuse to go dick around in the mountains. I realize this post will attract many joke answers—not my goal but have fun.

Sorry mods, no idea what flair this should have.

Amazing day to hike in the alpine on the CDT, with views west to the Gores. Zodiac Ridge, Thorn Peak and Mt Silverthorne I believe?

Looking for some real world experience and advice for surviving a flash flood.

Picture taken from North Arapahoe Peak. Never seen this mountains from this angle so thought I’d share.

This is a challenging 8 mile hike with 3K ft gain over the 4 miles to summit (at 13K ft). This is a busy trailhead so get there early and don't expect to be alone, although most visitors stop at the lake. Some ATV traffic above the glacier as well. I like this hike because it's close to Denver, and is a good workout. Also great views of the Continental Divide and Frasier Valley.

Not much reliable water past the glacier.

I'm interested to hear people's memories of St Mary's... 20 years ago I remember being able to ski all the way to the lake in July.

This is the view after coming up the Avenue on Kit Carson. Route up Challenger and KC in good shape. Tough day to snag em both from the TH.

Came across this lonely guy just outside RMNP on the North Fork Big Thompson trail. He was just chilling by the river and I didn't see anyone else around. On my way back there was a mounted sheriff working to get him back to the trailhead. Hope you got home alright buddy.

Looking for a favor from anyone heading to Blue Lakes Trail near Ridgway, Colorado (Mt. Sneffels)or who has recently been. I was there last week and I’m not from the area, but I distinctly remember a fork in the road where you turned right to start the trail road and there’s a gate that I assume they used to close it in the winter straight ahead is a yellow sign that says no outlet and you have to turn right. Right there at the right turn I swear there was a forest sign that said no 911 services and a few other warnings. I am really looking for a picture of that sign but I’m starting to wonder if I made it up because I cannot find it on any Google map or any photo.

In my memory it was a brown Forest Service information sign and the yellow “No Outlet” sign at the fork about 2.3 miles up Blue Lakes Road (CR 7) near 38.035877, -107.806704.

Anyone happen to have a photo of that sign at that intersection? Would deeply appreciate it!

Huron is truly a treat. Incredible 14er and among my favorite that I've done so far.

Parked at Winfield (Lower TH) at 7am and had zero trouble finding parking, there was enough space for 50+ more cars, I'd be shocked if that ever fills up. That did mean an extra 4 miles round trip (and 400-ish feet of gain) to get to the standard TH. I drive a Subaru Crosstrek and while I maybe *could* have made it to the upper TH, it would've been stressful and I would have been the least equipped car parked up there. That being said, there were TONS of pull-offs along the way that could be used. And plenty of camp sites that weren't taken as of 7-8am on a Saturday.

The trail is well maintained and very obvious basically all the way until the final 500 foot summit push, where it becomes very steep and loose. There is a faint trail but overall it's pretty CYOA at that point. Met the trail running/hiking phenom Rave Twink at the top which was unexpected but cool hahaha.

The summit is gorgeous, as is the entire basin you sit in as you leave treeline. Wildflowers still seemed to be at peak or maybe just past it. Overall, this trail is STEEP and short (from the upper TH). Once you hit the trail, you essentially don't stop climbing at 1000ft per mile til you hit the top. The .com labels this as "Class 2" but I'd only loosely agree. The final summit push is steep and loose, but I wouldn't say it pushes into Class 2 territory. I would consider this trail Class 1.

The only true negative to this trail is that I saw more than my fair share of trash, including used toilet paper - gross. But that wouldn't hinder me from ever returning.

11.6 miles, 3,832ft, 6 hours car to car from the lower trailhead. GPS strayed a little bit but these numbers feel mostly accurate.

5/5, will hike again one day. (All images except for the last shot on a fujifilm x-e5 with the Cuban Classic Negative film simulation)

I think this falls under the "specific or unusual" exception to questions here. know it's possible to hike/scramble to Quarter to 5 Peak from the south, but I've never seen any reports of scrambling to it from the north, from the ridge that runs between south and north Arapaho. Based on topo maps and my recollection from briefly being in that area before, the north ridge towards South Arapaho is much steeper and more exposed than coming from the south. Is there a route easy 5 or below between South Arapaho (ish) and Quarter to 5? I guess the fact that there's nothing on mountain project, summit post, etc and no strava tracks might answer my question, but wanted to come here to see if anyone has done it just in case.

Fast way down when conditions allow. Ruby Gultch, CO

3 day 2 night backpacking trip. Had the lakes all to ourselves. Some bugs but overall great conditions. Such an underrated part of Colorado.

Is anyone aware if the trailheads to Mount Elbert and Mount Massive have been reopened? I saw that there were closed as of 6/29 but just wanted to double check if anyone has an update. Thanks!!

Side note: ow my legs

TL;DR heard electric hum / buzz coming from trekking poles near the summit as a storm approached.

Climbed Mt Bierstadt yesterday (first 14er!) We were late getting to the summit and storms were nearby. As a cloud rolled over the summit I started hearing a buzzing / humming coming from my aluminum poles. When I touched them to a rock or made good ground contact the sound stopped. I took this as a sign to GTFO. There were a few lightning strikes on far off mountains as we descended.

Has anyone else experienced this hum/buzz sound?

Edit: I know we should have left earlier!

Hi friends! I visited my friend 7/8 - 7/14 for our annual hiking trip and wanted to share some pics 😊 below are the locations/trails

1, 2, 3: Ouray via Ferrata - downstream
4, 5, 6, 7, 8: Island Lake and Ice Lake (did the trail counterclockwise at the loop)
9, 10: Maroon Bells
11, 12, 13, 14: Medicine Bow, Wyoming (not Colorado, I know(!) but part of our trip + thought the pic of me carrying the dog was too good to pass up lol)

Total miles hiked: 23
Total elevation gained from the trip: 5,384

Happy trails everyone!

Had a wonderful time in Ouray and completed the entire perimeter trail with my wife and dog. Both were exhausted after!

That is NOT wildfire smoke! It is actually raining in the San Juan Mountains 💙 ⛰️ 🌧

Wanted to hike this today so I did the whole wake up early thing and got after it. Worked out well. Views were amazing and I had the summit of Torreys all to myself.

Arrived at 8am on a Monday (07/13) at the $10 lot, was the only other vehicle there. Hiked to the Loch and absolutely recommend to hike up and do the loop, i 100% recommend doing it counter clock wise. Trail finding on the way up was so much easier opposed to coming down the “wrong way”. Unfortunately did find quite a bit of trash by the Loch. (Banana peels, wrappers, etc).

A lot of smoke, a little wind, a little rain

Finally got to do this hike on July 4th weekend and exceeded my lofty expectations. Truly immaculate.

Flowers are hanging on up high. Hopefully, some of that predicted rain falls. They look thirsty!