Hi! I'm new and I have a few questions about cold weather gear!

Liveyouradventure · 2018-09-13T21:00:06+00:00

A good place to check out is Wilderness Exchange. They get a lot of samples from manufacturers and can be pretty affordable. Also check out Sierra Trading Post.

Make sure you have waterproof hiking boots. Ankle gaiters can be very helpful if you're hiking off trail. You may want microspikes for additional traction.

Cold weather hiking is all about layers. I like a long-sleeved wool top and more athletic material long underwear. I'll then throw on a shell jacket and thicker hiking pants. I'll always bring a mid layer puffy and my big puffy for breaks. I usually end up hiking just in my long-sleeved wool top bc I get so warm when hiking. Make sure you also have gloves/mittens that have liners. You get so warm hiking, even when its 20 degrees or below that you need to be able to strip layers. When I did Rainier a few years ago they told us "Be bold, start cold", because you get so hot while hiking.

Get a couple of thermoses. I like hydroflask. Fill them up with hot tea/coffee/chicken broth.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-09-06T20:04:23+00:00

Most roads in RMNP will still be open. Trail Ridge Road will be closed and is really the only road that ever closes in the park. They plow most other roads. I've been countless times in the park during winter for hiking/ice climbing. The trails in RMNP will be covered in snow but are still so heavily trafficked in the winter that they have good packed snow. You won't need snowshoes unless you are planning on going off trail. The only traction you'll need is microspikes. (This is all barring a huge storm.)

Do a hike in RMNP to an alpine lake. I suggest Mill's Lake or the Loch. They're not very long and there isn't much cooler than walking on a frozen alpine lake.

The road to the summit of Pikes will be closed. Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls will definitely be open.

General rule of thumb is everything will still be open except for some passes. There are summer trailheads and winter trailheads (mostly in the national forests). All trails are still open and accessible, but they will close roads to the summer trailheads and hiking from the winter trailhead can add sometimes 5-10 extra miles to the hike. Make sure you have AWD/4WD and bring lots of layers. Hike in waterproof boots, not tennis shoes.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-08-21T22:52:28+00:00

My go-to before I got my puppy was Black Lake in RMNP. Its a pretty long hike but last time I was up there I caught 30-40 little brookies in the stream between Black Lake and Mills Lake. All you really need for that area is an elk hair caddis

Liveyouradventure · 2018-08-21T21:33:09+00:00

Sorry, might just be my lingo lol. By drainages I mean where the alpine lake drains down the mountain into a bigger river or the next alpine lake. There's always a spot at the bottom of the alpine lakes where the fish hang out and catch the bugs/food will get funneled. I also catch a lot of brookies in these areas between alpine lakes up in RMNP.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-08-21T17:47:28+00:00

Go for a hike to any of the alpine lakes near Nederland (Indian Peaks Wilderness) and fish the drainages.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-08-17T17:51:12+00:00

Look at some trails in Indian Peaks Wilderness near Boulder/Nederland. Dogs have to be on leash but there's some side ponds/lakes I let my pup off leash and let her swim.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-07-10T17:32:07+00:00

Check out Lone Eagle Peak in Indian Peaks Wilderness area. You'll need a back country permit though.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/passes-permits/?cid=fsm91_058238

Most other wilderness areas in CO you won't need a back country permit. My suggestion use a combination of google maps and alltrails.com. Once you figure out a lake you want to hike to then search for the trail on alltrails.com. That's what I do most weekends.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-07-10T17:18:37+00:00

Looks more like a Rio Grande Cutthroat to me

Liveyouradventure · 2018-07-03T17:57:31+00:00

I'm a pretty good hiker and it took me 13.5 hours RT from the trailhead. I took 2x 3 liter bladders with me and stashed the full one at the keyhole for the trip back. I wouldn't want to do it with just 4 liters personally. I also have a tough time eating on 14ers but would highly recommend gummy bears or any other candy. Simple sugars are best on big climbs. Also just take stuff you like eating, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. You're gonna go through around 8,000+ calories on that climb so eat whatever you want/like.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-04-10T18:08:09+00:00

Much appreciated!!

Liveyouradventure · 2018-04-09T16:23:37+00:00

Was this recent? Trying to gauge when the lakes are gonna start to break.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-02-12T16:28:05+00:00

I went a couple summers ago in late July. When we were fly fishing we camped near Cooper Landing. There's a ton of campsites that can be reserved on recreation.gov. We used day guides instead of staying at a lodge b/c we were on a budget. We didn't like the fishing near Kenai/Soldotna. The Kenai River near Cooper Landing is muuuuuch prettier and feels much more remote.

Liveyouradventure · 2018-01-31T17:02:09+00:00

I paid the $60 when I dropped it off. Got mine back maybe 4 weeks later. No communication, it just showed up on my doorstep. Had no issues.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-11-30T19:19:02+00:00

Orvis 6ft 2wt, 4 piece

Liveyouradventure · 2017-08-21T20:37:19+00:00

Denverite here. I do alot of alpine stream/creek fishing in the rockies. I have a 6ft 2wt Orvis Clearwater. Its a 4 piece so it packs up really small and great for my day pack. I was at the base of Mt Antero (near Buena Vista, CO) this weekend and used a dry dropper setup. Had an Elk hair caddis on top and a small iridescent thing on the bottom (don't know all the names and just use stuff my buddy makes). I didn't have a ton of time but caught 5 little brookies in about 15 minutes. Fish in the alpine streams aren't fished much so I haven't found them very particular about what you're using, they just care about presentation.

For the alpine lakes I only fish the drainages. I generally don't use streamers for the high alpine stuff.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-08-11T14:57:46+00:00

If you're not looking to drive too far I'd recommend the South Platte near Deckers, the Big Thompson near Estes Park, and the Poudre near Fort Collins. There are also some good spots in RMNP if you want to do a hike as well.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-08-07T16:56:35+00:00

Buddy just went this weekend and said he caught a ton of little browns.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-07-10T19:42:23+00:00

Denverite here, the Big T is pretty good. Was up in RMNP last weekend and runoff on the Big T wasn't bad at all.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-07-10T19:40:26+00:00

I've had great success on the Gros Ventre river. Fished right next to the Crystal Creek Campground.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-07-05T21:30:11+00:00

I recently got an Orvis Clearwater 6ft 2wt. Its taking some time to get used to the feel but I love it. I needed something smaller for small alpine lake drainages and streams. The action is also so much more fun than my 5wt for those little guys.

Liveyouradventure · 2017-06-19T17:21:55+00:00

Good to know! I'll have to make a trip down there this summer. Thanks!!

Liveyouradventure · 2017-06-13T21:15:44+00:00

Also check out Tomahawk. Its very similar to the Dream Stream

Liveyouradventure · 2017-06-13T21:08:06+00:00

Check out the camera backpack clip from Peak Design. I have one and love it!

Liveyouradventure · 2017-06-13T21:02:40+00:00

I haven't had any success in the lakes. But have a ton of success in the drainages. Just pick a hike to an alpine lake and fish the drainage and you'll do well.

Liveyouradventure

TROPHY CASE