East of the Divide (Roosevelt National Forest)

Because trailheads are situated relatively high on Indian Peaks east of the Continental Divide, many destinations are close to roads. The combination of short, easy trails to spectacular spots and proximity to a large urban area guarantees crowds at Indian Peaks.

There are two ways to avoid the crowds. First, start hiking at dawn. This practice is less painful than it seems and yields benefits far too numerous to list. Second, get together with hiking friends and use two vehicles, leaving them at opposite trailheads. Thus one group can start at each trailhead, rendezvous on the trail, and exchange car keys. Alternatively you can set up a shuttle and have everyone begin at the same trailhead. Starting in one spot and ending in another is a logistical bother, however, so relatively few people do it. Somewhere between the two trailheads, the crowds begin to thin out. Of course you also experience more terrain this way.