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10/14/2026

Road info you’ll want to know ⤵️

📌 Tips for Responsible Recreation:
🌎 Leave it better than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the trail.
🌲 Do not carve into trees or rocks.
⛺️ Camp on durable surfaces.
🐻 Respect wildlife & keep your distance.
🌻 Don’t disturb or pick wildflowers.
🚮 Pack out your trash & any trash you find.
😀 Be respectful to others.
⚠️ Follow local rules & regulations.
🎒 Bring the proper gear & stay safe.
⛈️ Always check current local weather.

📌 Save this post:
📍 Forest Service Rd 15.1
🗓️ Date Visited: 10/2/2026
🚗 The road is paved and 2WD accessible, but on 10/2/2026 there was construction that closed down one lane for a short section.
🧭 The road goes from Aspen to the Castle Creek Trailhead. There are dirt roads that continue further, but high clearance and 4x4 may be required for those.
📏 The drive is about 13 miles one way, so 26 miles round trip.
⏰ The drive takes about 30 minutes each way without stops.
🅿️ There are multiple trailheads along the route to stop and take in the fall colors or go for a hike.
🚴‍♂️ This is a popular road for biking, please pay attention and watch out for cyclists.
❄️ In fall snow and winter driving conditions are possible.
⚠️ Cell service can be limited in areas, and conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best trails, outdoor recommendations, and tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/13/2026

Here’s what Leave No Trace, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service say:

If obstacles on trails are safe to navigate, the recommendation from Leave No Trace is to stay on the established trail rather than creating a path around it. If it’s unsafe or truly impassable, don’t get yourself hurt, follow the land manager’s guidance or turn around.

🌿 Leave No Trace:
“For natural obstacles that are too big to safely move, make sure you stay on the trail by going over, under, or through them, rather than going off trail to avoid them.” “Concentrating travel on trails reduces the likelihood that multiple routes will develop and scar the landscape. It is better to have one well-designed route than many poorly chosen paths.”

🏔️ National Park Service:
“A social trail is an unofficial, user-created path that forms over time, as visitors take detours off of designated trails.” “With enough foot traffic, these paths get worn down and can look like an official trail.”“Social trails can also lead to the trampling of small plants and fungi, as well as soil erosion, which can be very damaging to tree roots and cause stress to the tree.” “Trails are built where they are for a reason, to minimize erosion, provide scenery, and steer clear of sensitive plants and animals.” “To set a good example for other visitors today and every day, stay on designated trails!”

🌲 U.S. Forest Service:
“A social trail is an informal, nondesignated trail between two locations. Social trails often result in trampling stresses to vegetation and soils.” “On this social trail, plants are trampled and soil compacted.”“These expansions disturb or fragment riparian vegetation and interior habitats.”

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, camping, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/12/2026

Trail info you’ll want to know ⤵️

📌 Tips for Responsible Recreation:
🌎 Leave it better than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the trail.
🌲 Do not carve into trees or rocks.
⛺️ Camp on durable surfaces.
🐻 Respect wildlife & keep your distance.
🌻 Don’t disturb or pick wildflowers.
🚮 Pack out your trash & any trash you find.
😀 Be respectful to others.
⚠️ Follow local rules & regulations.
🎒 Bring the proper gear & stay safe.
⛈️ Always check current local weather.

📌 Save this hike:
📍 Thomas Lakes Trail
🗓️ Date Visited: 10/15/2022
🚗 Dirt road to the trailhead, but 4x4 and high clearance are not required.
🅿️ Large dirt parking lot with an additional large horse trailer parking lot.
🥾 8.2 miles RT, 1,650’ of elevation.
⚠️ Please make sure to review and follow all Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness rules and regulations.
🏕 Backpacking is allowed with a free self serve permit that can be found at the trailhead.
⛺️ Camping is only allowed in designated sites and is not allowed within 1/4 mile of the lakes.
🚻 WAG Bags are highly recommended, but if you do not have them properly bury waste in a 6-8” deep hole away from campsites, trails, and at least 200’ from water sources. Always pack out toilet paper.
🔥 Campfires are not allowed within 1/4 mile of the lakes.
🐻 Bear cans are required for backpacking.
🦮 Dogs must be on leash. (Pack out dog p**p)
🚻 Pit toilet at the trailhead.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, campsites, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/11/2026

Road info you’ll want to know ⤵️

📌 Tips for Responsible Recreation:
🌎 Leave it better than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the trail.
🌲 Do not carve into trees or rocks.
⛺️ Camp on durable surfaces.
🐻 Respect wildlife & keep your distance.
🌻 Don’t disturb or pick wildflowers.
🚮 Pack out your trash & any trash you find.
😀 Be respectful to others.
⚠️ Follow local rules & regulations.
🎒 Bring the proper gear & stay safe.
⛈️ Always check current local weather.

📌 Save this post:
📍 Independence Pass
🗓️ Date Visited: 10/2/2026
🚗 The road is paved and 2WD accessible, but it is very narrow in some places and you may need to stop and let oncoming traffic pass in some places.
🧭 The route goes from Twin Lakes to Aspen
📏 The total drive is about 40 miles
⏰ The drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes without stops.
⛰️ Independence Pass sits at and elevation of 12,095’
🅿️ There are multiple pull offs and trailheads along the route to stop and take in the views or go for a hike.
❄️ In fall snow and winter driving conditions are possible and the pass usually closes in late October or early November depending on weather conditions.
⚠️ Cell service can be limited in areas, and conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best trails, outdoor recommendations, and tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/10/2026

Why it matters ⤵️

🐻 It can attract wildlife even if it’s only left for a few hours. This can create conflicts between people and wildlife when they learn to associate trailheads with food or trash.

💩 Pet waste can spread pathogens. Dog p**p can contain parasites and bacteria that can impact other dogs, wildlife, soil, and water.

🚮 Someone else has to clean it up, whether that’s another hiker, a volunteer, or the forest service, the trash becomes someone else’s responsibility.

👀 It can encourage more littering because people see trash or p**p bags being left at a trailhead, so they think it’s acceptable for them to do the same thing.

I completely understand the thought process. You already locked your car and put your keys in your pack, and then realize you still have this trash in your hand. Or maybe your dog p**ped right after you started hiking, so you leave the bag at the trailhead and plan to grab it on your way back. The problem is that a lot of people seem to forget to get these things on the way back and leave them for others to clean up. I know it might not be the most convenient, but please just put your trash in your car so we can keep these beautiful places clean and protected.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, campsites, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/09/2026

Trail info you’ll want to know ⤵️

📌 Tips for Responsible Recreation:
🌎 Leave it better than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the trail.
🌲 Do not carve into trees or rocks.
⛺️ Camp on durable surfaces.
🐻 Respect wildlife & keep your distance.
🌻 Don’t disturb or pick wildflowers.
🚮 Pack out your trash & any trash you find.
😀 Be respectful to others.
⚠️ Follow local rules & regulations.
🎒 Bring the proper gear & stay safe.
⛈️ Always check current local weather.

📌 Save this hike:
📍 American Lake Trail
🗓️ Date Visited: 10/3/2026
⏰ This is a popular trail, arrive early.
🚗 Paved road to the trailhead.
🅿️ Relatively small dirt parking lot.
🥾 6.4 miles RT, 2,024’ of elevation.
⚠️ Please make sure to review and follow all White River National Forest and Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness rules and regulations.
🏕 Backpacking is allowed with a free self serve permit that can be found at the trailhead.
⛺️ Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of lakes, streams, or the trail and is only allowed in existing established durable sites.
🚻 WAG Bags are highly recommended, but if you do not have them properly bury waste in a 6-8” deep hole away from campsites, trails, and at least 200’ from water sources. Always pack out toilet paper.
🔥 Campfires are prohibited above 10,800 ft and within 100 ft of lakes, streams, and trails. Check current fire restrictions before your trip and plan to use a camp stove.
🐻 Bears & Mountain lions are active in this area and bear cans are required for backpacking.
🦮 Dogs must be on leash. (Pack out dog p**p)
🚻 No bathrooms or trashcans at the trailhead.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, campsites, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/08/2026

It can be pretty difficult hiking by myself with both of our dogs and I like to keep my hands free so this worked really well. This way I still have easy control over both of them, I don’t get all tangled up in the leashes, and I have my hands free to hold their p**p bags or check the map on my phone. If you’re wondering why we don’t just hike with them off leash it’s not allowed in as many places as you might think and they have great recall but it’s not perfect, so to keep them, other hikers, and wildlife safe we always keep them on leash.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, campsites, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/07/2026

Trail info you’ll want to know ⤵️

📌 Tips for Responsible Recreation:
🌎 Leave it better than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the trail.
🌲 Do not carve into trees or rocks.
⛺️ Camp on durable surfaces.
🐻 Respect wildlife & keep your distance.
🌻 Don’t disturb or pick wildflowers.
🚮 Pack out your trash & any trash you find.
😀 Be respectful to others.
⚠️ Follow local rules & regulations.
🎒 Bring the proper gear & stay safe.
⛈️ Always check current local weather.

📌 Save this hike:
📍 Cathedral Lake Trail
🗓️ Date Visited: 10/2/2026
🚗 Dirt road to the trailhead. High clearance is recommended, but as long as you have decent clearance you should be able to make it with careful driving.
🅿️ Medium sized dirt parking lot, but it fills up quickly.
🥾 5.5 miles RT, 2,030’ of elevation.
💧 There is a small water crossing near the top and you should be able to stay dry, but that can change depending on the time of year.
⚠️ Please make sure to review and follow all Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness rules and regulations.
🏕 Backpacking is allowed with a free self serve permit that can be found at the trailhead.
⛺️ Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of Cathedral Lake, Pine Creek, or the trail and is only allowed in existing established durable sites.
🚻 WAG Bags are highly recommended, but if you do not have them properly bury waste in a 6-8” deep hole away from campsites, trails, and at least 200’ from water sources. Always pack out toilet paper.
🔥 Campfires are not allowed Above 10,800 feet, so plan to use a camp stove.
🐻 Bears & Mountain lions are active in this area and bear cans are required for backpacking.
🦮 Dogs must be on leash. (Pack out dog p**p)
🚻 No bathrooms or trashcans at the trailhead.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, campsites, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/06/2026

Road info you’ll want to know ⤵️

📌 Tips for Responsible Recreation:
🌎 Leave it better than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the trail.
🌲 Do not carve into trees or rocks.
⛺️ Camp on durable surfaces.
🐻 Respect wildlife & keep your distance.
🌻 Don’t disturb or pick wildflowers.
🚮 Pack out your trash & any trash you find.
😀 Be respectful to others.
⚠️ Follow local rules & regulations.
🎒 Bring the proper gear & stay safe.
⛈️ Always check current local weather.

📌 Save this post:
📍 McClure Pass
🗓️ Date Visited: 10/4/2025
🚗 The road is paved and 2WD accessible
🧭 The route goes from Carbondale to Paonia
📏 The total drive is about 60 miles
⏰ The drive takes about 1.5 hours without stops.
⛰️ McClure Pass sits at and elevation of 8,755’
🅿️ There are multiple pull offs along the route to stop and take in the views
🍂 Its best for fall colors, mountain views, and scenic driving
❄️ In fall snow and winter driving conditions are possible
⚠️ Cell service can be limited in areas, and conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best trails, outdoor recommendations, and tips to fuel your next adventure!

10/04/2026

🍂 Colorado fall colors 10/2-10/3, 2026

🍁 Conditions can change quickly this time of year, but hopefully this helps you plan.

✅ Follow us Katherine & Derrick Merwin | Colorado Adventure Couple for the best hikes, campsites, and outdoor tips to fuel your next adventure!

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Fairbanks, AK
99701, 99702, 99703, 99705, 99706, 99707, 99708, 99709, 99710, 99711, 99712, 997

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