10 Great Hikes in Colorado

10 Great Hikes in Colorado
Shelf and Solitude Lakes

Getting There: From the Rocky Mountains National Park Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on US 36, drive west for 1.1 miles to the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Pass the kiosk and continue for 0.2 mile to Bear Lake Road. Turn south (left) and drive for 8.3 miles to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.

Shelf and Solitude Lake set high above the Glacier Gorge Trail in a hanging glacier valley. Thatchtop and Arrowhead peaks rise above the valley helping to form it. The area is wide open and invites exploration. As the name sake suggests you should find some solitude on this wonderful and amazing hike.

Location: Rocky Mountain National Park
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge Trailhead (9,200')
Elevation: Shelf Lake (11,220') and Solitude Lake (11,420')
Trail Length: 10.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,220 ft
Pictures: Shelf and Solitude Lake
Closest Town: Estes Park

Park Information:
Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
970.586.1242

Dining at Estes Park:

Grubsteak Restaurant - American Cuisine
134 W Elkhorn Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 8838

Grumpy Gringo - Mexican Cuisine
1560 Big Thompson Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 7705

Inn of Glen Haven - Continental Cuisine
7468 CR 43 Downtown Glen Haven - Glen Haven, CO 80532 - (970) 586 - 3897

Kind Coffee - Coffeehouse
470 E Elkhorn Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 5206

Local's Grill - American Cuisine
153 E. Elkhorn Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 6900

Longs Peak Coffee & Paper House - Coffeehouse
150 E Elkhorn Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 3451

LongZ - A Mountain Grill - American Cuisine
101 S St Vrain - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 2332 - (800) 803 - 7837

Lonigans Nightclub & Grill - American Cuisine
110 W Elkhorn Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 4346 - (970) 586 - 2994

Mama Rose's Restaurant - Italian
338 E. Elkhorn Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 3330

Molly B Restaurant - American Cuisine
200 Moraine Avenue, PO Box 3280 - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 2766

Nicky's Steakhouse - Steak / Seafood
1350 Fall River Rd. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 5376 - (866) 464 - 2597

Other Side Restaurant - Steak / Seafood
900 Moraine Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 2171

Peak to Peak American Grille - American Cuisine
451 S St Vrain Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 577 - 0577

Poppy's Pizza and Grill - American Cuisine
342 E. Elkhorn Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 8282

Pura Vida - International Cuisine
160 1st St - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 3686

Riverside Cafe - American Cuisine
132 E Elkhorn Ave - Atop The Wheel Bar - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 6121

Steamers Cafe at the Stanley Hotel - Coffeehouse
333 Wonderview Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 3371 - (800) 976 - 1377

Lodging at Estes Park

Alpine Trail Ridge Inn - 927 Moraine, US 36 W - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 4585 - (800) 233 - 5023

American Wilderness Lodge - 481 W Elkhorn Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 4402 - (800) 762 - 5968

Appenzell Inn - 1100 Big Thompson Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 2023 - (800) 475 - 1125

Best Western Silver Saddle - 1260 Big Thompson Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 4476 - (800) 528 - 1234

Bighorn Mountain Lodge - 1340 Big Thompson Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 4376 - (800) 530 - 8822

Budget Host Four Winds - 1120 Big Thompson Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 - (970) 586 - 3313 , (800) 527 - 7509

Castle Mountain Lodge - 1520 Fall River Rd. - Estes Park, CO 80517 , (970) 586 - 3664 , (800) 852 - 7463

Comfort Inn - 1450 Big Thompson Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 , (970) 586 - 2358 , (800) 424 - 6423

Sporting Goods Stores at Estes Park

Estes Park Mountain Shop - 2050 Big Thompson Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 , (970) 586 - 6548 , (866) 303 - 6548

Kirks Flyshop / Kirks Mountain Adventures - 230 E Elkhorn Ave | Estes Park, CO 80517 | (970) 577 - 0790 | (877) 669 - 1859

Colorado Bicycling Adventures - 184 E Elkhorn Ave - Estes Park, CO 80517 , (970) 586 - 4241

Outdoor World - 156 E. Elkhorn Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 , (970) 586 - 2114 , (800) 679 - 3600

Hiking Hut - 110 E. Elkhorn Ave. - Estes Park, CO 80517 , (970) 586 - 0708

Estes Park Convention and Visitors Bureau