Walden, CO

[ez_willie]

Hey sliders, I rented an Airbnb west of Walden to take the family hiking/exploring next week. Have a 10, 4, and 9 month old. What are some must do trails if you don’t mind sharing? What elevation will we run into snow? Or other good kid attractions in the area. Planning on driving to Steamboat Springs one day also. Thanks for any pointers.

 

[MallardSX2]

What tag did you draw? lol

 

[strousek]

Go check out the Arapahoe Wildlife Refuge south of town. Should be lots of baby ducks and geese around the ponds. Lots of antelope and possible moose along the river bottoms.

The sand dunes NE of town are fun too.

Haven't been up to north park myself this year yet but from past experiences I would say BRING BUG SPRAY! I have had years scouting and hunting pronghorn up there where there were clouds of mosquitos.

 

[Wprinkle]

They used to have an amateur rodeo up there. And at one point a bad ass steak house in Rand....

 

[Wprinkle]

Go check out the Arapahoe Wildlife Refuge south of town. Should be lots of baby ducks and geese around the ponds. Lots of antelope and possible moose along the river bottoms.

The sand dunes NE of town are fun too.

Haven't been up to north park myself this year yet but from past experiences I would say BRING BUG SPRAY! I have had years scouting and hunting pronghorn up there where there were clouds of mosquitos.

I forgot about the dunes... and where you from? lol not many people call it north park........

 

[ez_willie]

What tag did you draw? lol

MT general elk I swear! Haha

 

[intunegp]

Opposite side of Walden, but State Forest State Park has some great trails, good fishing, and good chances for seeing deer and moose. Thinking of the little ones, there are lots of trails that are less than two miles...Ranger Lakes Nature Trail, Lake Agnes Trail, Mountain View Nature Trail...and more. Mountain View starts right across from "Moose Overlook" which is basically just a platform overlooking some good moose habitat...I haven't seen any there but that doesn't mean you won't. All three of those trails are short, flat, maintained, and some have a bench or two along the way.

While you're in Steamboat you could stop by Fish Creek Falls...the trail and bridge closes seasonally but I think you can pretty much always get close enough to at least see the waterfall.

 

[strousek]

I forgot about the dunes... and where you from? lol not many people call it north park........

I am one of the few and far between natives of a small mountain town in CO. I live on the northern front range now. Grew up fly fishing CO and always referred to the North Platte head waters (Walden area) as North Park, Colorado River headwaters (Fraser, Granby) as Middle Park, and the South Platte head waters (Fairplay, Hartsel) as South Park.

 

[justinspicher]

You can download the CO TREX app for free and it’ll show you all the trails in Colorado.

 

[The_Jim]

State Forest State Park might be a good spot, if your kids like fishing there are some pretty good lakes in the area.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Check out rabbit ears pass just west of you, maybe hit the hot springs in steamboat, to the east there is state forest state park plenty of trails in there some really good hikes to the north in the zyerkill wilderness, I’d image most stuff below 11k will be pretty free from snow. Usually tons of moose around north park to be seen and some nice Phorn by Walden res in the sage. It’s a cool spot enjoy!

 

[Wprinkle]

You can download the CO TREX app for free and it’ll show you all the trails in Colorado.

Thats funny.. I went to West Grand (kremmling)

 

[ez_willie]

That state forest state park looks perfect. Anyone know the kids fishing laws off the top of their head?

 

[cnelk]

And at one point a bad ass steak house in Rand....

The Rand Yacht Club is closed. He died

Things to Do:
You can fish Lake John or Delaneys Buttes- easy access and decent from shore right now [the Delaneys are Flies/Lures only - Lake John would be easier with kids]

Or try Cowdrey Lake north of town.

Kids under 16 dont need a fishing license as long as they are with an adult with a license.

Maybe run up to Saratoga WY and do the hot springs

Walden has a nice little city park for the kiddos.

Youre gonna hit snow, mud and fallen trees if you venture too high right now.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Under 16 I believe they do not need a license, but double check me. Also look up how to rig a fly and bubble set up, size 18-20 black gnat or mosquito, or 20-22 bead head nymph if they aren’t hitting the surface slow retrieval you will thank me (for alpine ponds and lakes) ps with run off I would target lakes and ponds streams and rivers will be high fast and muddy for another month or so likely

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Random, but there is a Christmas store that has really good ice cream in Walden

 

[camelcluch]

Kids fish on your license and you share the fish limits.
The hot springs in steamboat are a good time for kids and parents. Kind of relaxing but fun. My wife almost passed out when a bear came down to bath about 50 yards from us. It’s good stuff.

 

[LongWayAround]

Not much for good trails right around Walden.

The alpine lakes in the state park are about seven miles, each way. The American Lakes near the Noku Crags are an easier hike.

Rabbit Ears pass has some good trails.

The trails around the Zirkel wilderness are probably a shorter hike to fishing.

I second fishing Delaney Buttes. This trout was from there.

 

[parshal]

... always referred to the North Platte head waters (Walden area) as North Park, Colorado River headwaters (Fraser, Granby) as Middle Park, and the South Platte head waters (Fairplay, Hartsel) as South Park.

That's how I know those areas as well!

 

[Phaseolus]

The Rainbow Lakes Trail #1130 is a nice hike. Roundtrip to the lake is a little over 8 miles so it might be too much for the kids to hike all the way. The trailhead is located at the end of County Road 22A.

It's North Park! I grew up not far from it and spent a couple of summers haying on the Kohlman Ranch located next to Hebron in North Park. Never heard it called anything else.