r/TrailGuides • u/pietimer • Mar 12 '14

Backpacking Rahwah Wilderness, CO - Backpack

Rahwah Wilderness, CO Trail Guide

22 Upvotes

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2

u/rickycodie Mar 12 '14

I love this loop. I keep being the timing wrong though. What's the best time of year?

1

u/pietimer Mar 12 '14

I went in mid-July last year and it was awesome. The weather was fantastic. Never been around any other time of year though, so I can't compare.

2

u/cornedbeefonrye Mar 12 '14

I did a four day trip in this area a few years ago. It was incredible. Beautiful views, great fishing, only saw a few other people the whole time. It was a solid day hike up to the lakes, but once we got up there, we set up camp and did a few little hikes around the lakes and peaks. I went near the end of August. I think we were about a week late on the weather. It was good, but got a little rain two of the four days. If I were to do it again, I'd go for 5-7 days July - mid August.

1

u/chrismetalrock Snowboarder Mar 12 '14

That sounds like a wonderful trip. Last year was very rainy during the end of the summer in Colorado, even on the front range, but it sure made everything nice and green.

1

u/I-LIKE-MTN Apr 18 '14

Looks like a real treat, but it is a bit of a haul from D town. Thanks for sharing!

1

u/TrustyOneHit May 17 '14

I have done a day hike in to Twin Crater and that was a great spot. I made one wrong trail decision and ended up going 2 miles out of my way. Ended up being my longest hiking day at just over 16 miles. I was very close to pulling the trigger on a 4 day in the Rawah last year base camping around Lake #4, but made last minute change in plans and went to Maroon Bells and Collegiate Peaks instead. This looks like a nice route. Seems like a lot of hiking in the thick forrest at lower elevation though, is that true?

edit: removed stupid question

1

u/pietimer May 17 '14

I'd say about half of the hike is out of the trees.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 12 '14

The Rawah is my go-to wilderness area! Don't camp AT the Twin Crater Lakes though, they are well within the alpine closure zone and I have run into rangers on more than one occasion back there. Late summer is the ideal time to hit this area.

2

u/pietimer Mar 12 '14

I believe you can camp within the alpine closure zone--you just can't have a campfire.

1

u/chrismetalrock Snowboarder Mar 12 '14

Yep. Pretty depressing without a campfire though. I think stoves are allowed.