Difficulty and Class Ratings
Hikes in this guide are scaled 1–10, 1 being the easiest, 10 being the most difficult. It is important to know that a 1 in this book may be an 8 in another guidebook. Mountain hikes are tough, there’s no way around that. But once you’ve gotten a few under your boots, the relative scale of the difficulty will make sense.
Fit hikers will be able to complete all the hikes in this book—with good style! There are some long days and hard routes, but nothing that gets into elite or technical climbing. Beginning hikers can enjoy the lower difficulty hikes, especially summits like Peak 6.5, Uneva Peak, Loveland Pass west circuit, and Grays Peak.
As previously mentioned, the most difficult routes in this book are rated Class 3—but don’t let that fool you. The hiking class designations are merely suggestions, and even Class 2 trails can be scary in bad conditions or if there’s crazy exposure.
Here’s a look at the (somewhat agreed upon) rating system used in Colorado:
• Class 1: Nontechnical, easy terrain. This is reserved mostly for simple trails or very low angle grassy slopes. Class 1 can still be steep but lacks any big fall risks.
• Class 2: This is your standard-issue hiking terrain: rocky trails, a few steep sections, the occasional easy scramble or big step. Fall potential is very low or nonexistent.
• Class 2+: A good designation for Class 2 with extended but safe scrambling or off-trail routes with rock outcrops. Scrambles are solid and always have bail-out options. This is the most advanced terrain that is safe to take dogs on.
• Class 3: Sustained, advanced scrambling with hands and feet with low fall potential but medium to high consequences from a fall. Rock is normally solid and helmets may be advised. Some Class 3 is on very solid rock with big exposure.
• Class 4: Class 4 is essentially low-level rock climbing, and ropes are sometimes used on Class 4 terrain. In general, the rock is solid, risk of fall is low, but consequences are high—fatalities have happened when climbers underestimate Class 4 routes. This book doesn’t cover any Class 4 routes, though there may be moves on certain routes that could be somewhere between Class 3 and 4. Experienced climbers and those used to exposure generally are confident on Class 4.
• Class 5: Technical climbing, where rock climbing shoes, mountaineering boots, ropes, and harnesses are usually used. Not covered in this guide.
All ego aside, this book rates routes a bit conservatively. When there are explicitly dangerous Class 3 moves, they will be mentioned. For many of us, those are the most exciting parts of a climb! Ultimately, it is up to hikers to use their best judgment and know their abilities when tackling mountain hikes.
Optional Routes
Along with the standard routes, each chapter has a collection of optional routes. Many of these point-to-points make for fun, extended adventures that cover a lot of ground. Additionally, some of the routes that didn’t make it into the book appear in trip write-ups online (mountainouswords.com/I70-hikes) to describe why they weren’t up to par. There are many more options than presented in the book (such as hiking from “Golden Bear Peak” from the Loveland Tunnel West Trailhead all the way to Guenella Pass!), but with all the optional entries, there are more than 100 possible routes within these pages to keep the most avid hiker busy for a long time!
Extra Credit Hikes and Points of Interest
When deciding the radius of hikes, a max distance of 10 miles off I-70 is the sweet spot. By increasing that range by a mere 2 miles, dozens of new trailheads become available—and there are only so many pages available! However, some of the hikes that are very close still make it into this guide, albeit in truncated form. Many of these hikes have detailed GPS files available for free at the official book site: mountainouswords.com/I70-hikes. You’re bound to be drawn to some of the nearby peaks you see from the summits of the “official” mountains, so adding them online gives added value to his book!
There are also a few places worth visiting while you’ll be in the mountains, such as old mines, plane wrecks, and eerie cemeteries.
It’s a three-dog day along the 7:30 Mine Trail.
I.Loch Lomond Trailhead (11,215’)
Loch Lomond’s access road has a mellow grade offset by thousands of suspension-shaking rocks. SUVs and tough SUCs can make the trailhead without too much trouble; strong tires will boost your confidence. From the loch, enjoyable rolling slopes pass by several lovely lakes before topping off at 13,250-foot Mount Bancroft. James Peak and Parry Peak are also good options from this area.
PEAKS
• Mount Bancroft: 13,250’
• James Peak: 13,294’
• Parry Peak: 13,391’
• Mount Eva: 13,130’
• Kingston Peak: 12,147’
Wilderness Area and Range
James Peak Wilderness, Front Range
Trailhead Distance from I-70
11.6 miles
Driving Directions
From either eastbound or westbound I-70, take Exit 238 toward Fall River Road. Follow the paved, twisting Fall River Road a little over 7.5 miles and take a left onto Alice Road (initially paved). Drive up a steep hill just after the road turns to dirt, passing through the homes in the tiny town of Alice. Around mile 8.2, bear right onto Steuart Road and follow it 3.4 miles to the large parking area. This four-wheel drive isn’t steep, but it is littered with rocks, some the size of volleyballs, all the way up—it’s a bouncy ride. Stay on the main road. The parking area at the loch is large, and there are true four-wheel-drive roads that split west and east from here. Park here unless you have a modified four-wheel drive ready to roll.
Vehicle Recommendations
SUVs and tough, higher-clearance SUCs (Honda CR-Vs and Elements, Toyota RAV4s) can make it up this road. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks will be a test of strong tires and sturdy suspension, but there are never any technical rock outcrops nor is it steep—just bumpy.
Fees/Camping
There are no fees to park, hike, or camp. Camping is allowed in Arapaho National Forest, and there are a few primitive sites at the trailhead, but no restrooms. Please use leave-no-trace guidelines when camping.
Dog Regulations
Dogs are allowed on leash in the James Peak Wilderness.
Summary
Author’s note: I made an exception to the “10-mile max distance” rule for this trailhead because I find it to be a fantastic hiking area, and it also provides a solid route to James Peak that avoids the private, paid parking used to access the St. Mary’s Glacier area.
Loch Lomond is the sister area to Fall River Reservoir, though it’s a little grittier and sees slightly more traffic. Loch Lomond isn’t without charm however, thanks to the waterfalls that roll over the headwall into the lake. The backdrop of Mount Bancroft’s popular Class