Category: Colorado natural disasters

Hiking in Colorado? These Trails Are Beautiful, But Brutal—Proceed with Caution

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Colorado, Colorado Campgrounds, Colorado natural disasters, Colorado Survivalists, Most Popular Hiking Trails in ColoradoLeave a comment

Hiking in Colorado? These Trails Are Beautiful, But Brutal—Proceed with Caution
By A Survival Prepper Who Packs Smart and Hikes Hard

I love Colorado. I love the smell of pine in the morning, the sound of my boots crunching on alpine gravel, and the way the wind cuts like a blade above treeline. There’s nowhere on Earth quite like it. The Rockies are sacred ground—but they’re also merciless.

I’m a survival prepper, not a doomsayer. I don’t fear the wild—I respect it. And if you’re hiking in Colorado thinking it’s just another Instagram opportunity or a “wellness walk,” you’re flirting with tragedy. The elevation is real. The storms are real. And the consequences? Very real.

Whether you’re chasing 14ers or deep-woods solitude, these 20 trails in Colorado will test your endurance, awareness, and survival mindset. Beautiful? Absolutely. But they’ll chew you up and spit you out if you let your guard down.

Top 20 Most Brutal—and Beautiful—Hikes in Colorado

1. Longs Peak via Keyhole Route – Rocky Mountain National Park

A classic Colorado 14er. Don’t let the popularity fool you—this trail kills people. Exposure, rockfall, ice, and exhaustion take out the overconfident. If you’re not off the summit by noon, you’re playing with lightning.

2. Capitol Peak

The infamous Knife Edge is no joke. One misstep and you’re gone. This is elite-level hiking, bordering on mountaineering. Leave your fear at the trailhead—or don’t bother going.

3. Maroon Bells – South Maroon Peak

They’re not called the “Deadly Bells” for nothing. Rotten rock, unpredictable weather, and poor route-finding lead to frequent fatalities. These are for seasoned peak-baggers only.

4. Mount Elbert

Highest peak in Colorado—sounds like a bucket list item, right? Sure, but the altitude will wreck you if you’re not acclimated. AMS (acute mountain sickness) has turned many back—or worse.

5. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge

Stunning lakes, waterfalls, and alpine beauty. But it includes steep scrambles and iced-over rock most of the year. People fall here every season.

6. The Decalibron (Mount Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross)

Four peaks in one hike—but you’re high, exposed, and often underestimated. Bross is technically closed, but people still hike it. Winds can knock you clean off your feet.

7. Bear Peak via Fern Canyon – Boulder

Short doesn’t mean safe. This is a brutal vertical grind with loose footing. Combine that with blazing summer sun, and you’re sweating bullets in no time.

8. Mount Bierstadt & Sawtooth Ridge

Bierstadt is beginner-friendly—until you add the Sawtooth Ridge. Then it becomes a risky class 3 scramble with bad weather, worse footing, and real falls.

9. Conundrum Hot Springs – Aspen

A stunning soak at 11,200 feet sounds great until you realize the 17-mile round trip and altitude gain wreck unprepared hikers. And search & rescue doesn’t come cheap.

10. Mount Sneffels – Ouray

It’s as photogenic as it is dangerous. Loose scree fields, sudden shifts in weather, and high elevation make this hike a trap for those who think it’s “just another 14er.”

11. Chicago Basin (Eolus, Sunlight, Windom Peaks)

You want remote? Try a long train ride, a brutal hike in, and then technical summits. Lightning strikes here are frequent and deadly. Rescue access? Minimal.

12. Hanging Lake Trail – Glenwood Canyon

Short and steep, with plenty of tourists pushing their limits. It’s closed often due to fire or rockfall risk—and people ignore closure signs and get hurt.

13. Holy Cross Ridge – Mount of the Holy Cross

This hike is longer and harder than it looks. The descent into the basin before climbing up again is soul-crushing—and summit fever makes people push past safety limits.

14. Mount Wilson & El Diente Traverse

Highly technical, exposed, and remote. Not a casual hike by any stretch. The ridge traverse is infamous for mistakes that end in fatalities.

15. Blanca Peak via Lake Como Road

Even reaching the trailhead is a 4×4 test. The hike itself is steep, remote, and high. Lightning, dehydration, and fatigue are your constant enemies.

16. La Plata Peak

Don’t be fooled by its “easier” 14er reputation. The switchbacks are brutal, and weather rolls in fast. People get caught every year without proper layers.

17. The Incline – Manitou Springs

It’s only a mile… straight up. Over 2,700 stairs gain nearly 2,000 feet. Heatstroke, cardiac events, and falls are frequent. Treat it with the respect of a high-altitude challenge.

18. Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Inner Canyon Routes

This isn’t hiking—it’s route finding in a vertical labyrinth of loose rock and sheer drops. Permits are required for a reason. Many don’t make it back up.

19. Ice Lakes Basin – Silverton

Gorgeous, but you’re at elevation the whole time. Storms explode out of nowhere. There’s a reason they shut this area down after wildfires—trail conditions can change fast.

20. Lost Creek Wilderness Loop

Don’t let the name fool you—it lives up to it. Remote, confusing junctions, and long miles without water. Navigation here will test your prep skills to the max.

Prepper Rules for Colorado Hiking

Colorado hikes are not “choose your own adventure.” They are missions. Plan like your life depends on it—because it absolutely does.

The Colorado Prepper’s Checklist:

  • Map + Compass (GPS dies, signal vanishes)
  • Trekking Poles (especially for loose scree descents)
  • Layered Clothing (Temps drop 30° in minutes)
  • Rain Shell + Gloves + Beanie (Even in July)
  • 3L of Water + Filter (Dehydration hits hard above 10,000 ft)
  • Electrolytes (Altitude + sweat = cramps)
  • High-Calorie Food (Plan for 500+ kcal/hour)
  • Headlamp + Batteries (Darkness hits fast in valleys)
  • Emergency Shelter or Bivy (A dayhike can turn into a night real quick)
  • First Aid Kit + Trauma Supplies
  • Whistle + Signal Mirror (Because yelling doesn’t carry far at 13,000 feet)

Mindset Matters Most

Gear’s important. Fitness helps. But mindset is king.

Here in Colorado, people die every year chasing summits they weren’t ready for. They underestimate the trail. They leave late. They ignore the thunder. Or they go solo without telling anyone. And the mountains? They don’t care.

I’ve helped carry people down who didn’t prepare. I’ve watched SAR helicopters fly in after someone’s last bad decision. I don’t want you to be next.

These trails are epic. But they are earned, not taken. Train hard, hike smart, and don’t let the beauty make you forget the brutal reality.

If you want a printable field version of this or an offline survival PDF, let me know. Stay sharp out there. Colorado rewards the bold—but only if they’re prepared.

This Is How Colorado Residents Prepare for the State’s Worst Natural Disasters

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Colorado natural disasters, Colorado Survivalists, SHTFLeave a comment

How Colorado Residents Prepare for the State’s Worst Natural Disasters

Living in Colorado can feel like a blessing, especially with the picturesque mountains, expansive forests, and rich wildlife. But, as anyone who’s been here for any length of time knows, it’s not all about snow-capped peaks and stunning vistas. Colorado is also home to some of the most intense and unpredictable natural disasters in the United States. As a survival prepper in Colorado, you’ve got to be ready for everything—from wildfires to blizzards and everything in between.

1. Wildfires: A Growing Threat

Colorado has been on the frontlines of some of the most devastating wildfires in history. The state’s dry climate, combined with seasonal winds, makes it ripe for catastrophic wildfires that can spread with terrifying speed. As a prepper, it’s essential to be ready for this possibility year-round. The fires don’t just happen in the summer, either. Wildfires can flare up any time there’s dry vegetation and the right conditions, and they can spread rapidly, threatening not just homes but entire communities.

Survival Tip #1: Always have an evacuation plan. Know multiple routes out of your neighborhood or town and make sure your vehicle is stocked with essentials, including a first-aid kit, extra water, and your emergency bug-out bag.

2. Snowstorms and Blizzards: The Danger of the Winter Months

If you live in Colorado, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of being snowed in. The state’s high elevation and unpredictable weather patterns make it susceptible to heavy snowstorms and blizzards, particularly in the mountains. These can make roads impassable, isolate communities, and cause power outages for days, or even weeks.

In Colorado’s mountainous areas, snowstorms can hit at any time, but they’re most common from October through April. If you’re up in the higher elevations, you need to be especially mindful of blizzards, which can drop several feet of snow and drastically reduce visibility in mere minutes.

Survival Tip #2: Keep a well-stocked emergency supply kit in your home, including extra blankets, warm clothing, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and a portable generator.

Survival Tip #3: When traveling during the winter, always have a shovel, ice scraper, and extra supplies like blankets, a firestarter, and a portable stove to cook food if you get stuck.

3. Flooding: Flash Floods and Overflowing Rivers

In the spring and early summer, Colorado can experience sudden and intense rainfall that causes flash floods. These floods can happen quickly, especially in the foothills and along the many rivers that snake through the state. Flash floods can inundate entire neighborhoods in a matter of minutes, washing away vehicles, homes, and even entire stretches of roads.

As a prepper, you should always know whether you live in a flood-prone area. Areas near rivers, streams, or urban drainage systems are especially susceptible. But remember, flash floods aren’t always predictable, and they can strike anywhere, including in regions that typically experience drier weather.

Survival Tip #4: Know your flood zone. If you live in a flood-prone area, keep important documents in a waterproof container and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

Survival Tip #5: If flash flooding is possible, move to higher ground immediately. Don’t wait for an evacuation order, as roads can become impassable very quickly.

4. Tornadoes: A Silent Threat in Eastern Colorado

Tornadoes are most commonly associated with the Midwest, but Colorado is no stranger to these powerful, destructive storms. Tornadoes are more common in the eastern plains of Colorado, where conditions are ideal for these storms to form. In fact, Colorado sees an average of 50 tornadoes a year, making it one of the top 10 states for tornado activity.

The storms usually develop during the late spring and summer, often in the late afternoon or early evening. Tornadoes in Colorado tend to be smaller and shorter-lived than those in places like Kansas, but they can still cause significant damage and pose a serious risk to life and property.

Survival Tip #6: Keep an emergency weather radio on hand so you can receive timely tornado warnings. Have a designated safe space in your home, such as a basement or interior room, where you can seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued.

5. Earthquakes: Not as Common, But Possible

While not as frequent as wildfires or blizzards, earthquakes can and do happen in Colorado. The state has seen several notable earthquakes over the years, and they’re most common along the state’s western edge near the Colorado Plateau. Though Colorado’s earthquakes are typically small, they can still cause significant damage, especially to older buildings and infrastructure.

Though the risk of a major earthquake is lower compared to places like California, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected.

Survival Tip #7: If you’re in a building when an earthquake strikes, drop to the ground, take cover under something sturdy, and hold on until the shaking stops. Always keep a set of sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed in case of a quake at night.

6. Droughts: Managing Water in Arid Conditions

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Colorado’s semi-arid climate means that droughts are a regular occurrence. These dry spells can last for months or even years, and they can have devastating effects on the state’s agriculture, water supply, and wildfires. As a prepper, it’s important to conserve water and be mindful of how long your water supplies might last during times of drought.

Survival Tip #8: Stockpile water—at least one gallon per person per day for a week—and learn how to filter and purify water from local sources if necessary.

Survival Tip #9: Grow a drought-resistant garden with native plants, and use water-efficient techniques like drip irrigation to make the most of your water supply.

7. Preparing for the Unexpected

While wildfires, snowstorms, floods, and tornadoes are the most well-known threats, Colorado can throw a variety of other natural disasters at you, including hailstorms, landslides, and even extreme heat waves. The best way to prepare for the unpredictable is to think ahead and prepare for every possibility.

Survival Tip #10: Always have a bug-out bag ready with essentials like food, water, a first-aid kit, and tools. Make sure you have a plan for communicating with loved ones during a disaster, and have a list of emergency contacts.

Conclusion: Stay Ready, Stay Safe

Living in Colorado means embracing the beauty of the landscape—and understanding that with that beauty comes a variety of risks. Whether it’s the raging wildfires, the heavy snowstorms, or the flash floods, being a survival prepper here requires vigilance, foresight, and a commitment to always being ready for what’s next.

By taking the time to prepare and learn how to react in any given situation, you can ensure the safety and security of yourself and your family, no matter what natural disaster comes your way.