Base Camp Denver: 101 Hikes in Colorado's Front Range. Pete KJ

dozens of those names but some ambiguity had crept in. When the hiking party reached the Never Summer Range, the Arapaho gentlemen offered a name that could mean either “It is never summer” or “Never no summer.” The former was adopted, but as you can see, summer does arrive here—and is exquisite.

      At 3.75 miles the first of two American Lakes arrives, gem-set beneath the Crags. This is a nice stopping point where smaller hikers can rest, take in the scenery, and perhaps brave dipping their feet. For those wanting more, the alpine playground beckons. You can go left to lovely Thunder Pass (0.5 miles) or branch right to Snow Lake, which is set higher in a fabulous cirque (0.9 miles). I recommend doing both, and perhaps doing the lake first.

      For Snow Lake, follow the up-and-down path along the north shore of the two American Lakes. A steep cairn-marked route through scrub and boulders will take you above timberline to the cirque below Static Peak, whose snowfields are reflected in the gray, lake-filled bowl. That route is a lot of fun. For Thunder Pass, either return to the lake outlet or shortcut through moorland to join the trail. It’s a pleasant undulating stroll to the pass, which sits on the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a great place to have lunch or keep walking. A post-marked route heads west up the ridge, offering more rambling in this beautiful high place.

      View of Nokhu Crags from Thunder Pass

      From Denver. Take I-25 north to Exit 269B, then CO 14 west and US 287 north through Fort Collins. Turn left to continue on CO 14 (Poudre Canyon Road) and drive west another 62 miles over Cameron Pass. Turn left to enter State Forest State Park at the Crags fee station, then continue 1.8 miles to the parking lot for American Lakes Trailhead. 2 hours, 50 mins.