What Are Two Easy Hikes Near Grand Lake and Granby to Try on a First Visit to Grand County?

Granby and Grand Lake sit high, and a first day at altitude goes better when it is short. Rebecca Smyth, Real Estate Agent, grew up here, and a short walk to water is how many visitors fall for the place.

These two hikes are both easy, both near Grand Lake, and very different from each other.

Adams Falls is a short walk to a waterfall. It starts at the East Inlet Trailhead near the town of Grand Lake, inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Local trail guides list it at about 0.3 miles each way, so roughly 0.6 miles round trip, and call it easy.

• Dogs. Dogs are not allowed on the park's trails, including this one.
• Season. The trail is listed as open year-round. In winter, local guides say to expect to wear winter boots or snowshoes.
• Before you go. Check the National Park Service page for current conditions, fees and parking.

The Monarch Lake Loop is a longer walk around a lake, about 4 miles, and local guides call it easy. The trailhead is on County Road 6, between Grand Lake and Granby, in the Arapaho National Forest area.

• Parking. The lot near the ranger station holds about 40 vehicles and can fill on weekends. A weekday is easier. There are restrooms at the trailhead.
• Dogs. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but they may not swim in the lake.
• Season. The trail is listed as open year-round and is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The road to the trailhead often closes for the season, so check road conditions before you drive out.
• Before you go. Check the Forest Service page for passes, fees and closures.

• Go slow. If you are coming from lower ground, give your body time to adjust.
• Drink water and bring layers. The weather can turn fast in the mountains.
• Start early and turn around when you need to. You can always come back.
• Give wildlife room. There is so much wildlife out here. Watch from a distance and follow the posted rules.
• Tell someone your plan. Say where you are going and when you will be back.

For many buyers, the trails are the reason they are here. When you tour homes, ask where the nearest trailhead is, how you get there in winter, and what the parking is like on a busy weekend. A trail close to the house sounds like a dream until the parking lot is full.

The lifestyle comes first and the property second. A home that fits how you want to spend your days is worth more than a home with a bigger list of features. See the Grand Lake area and the Granby area.

Pick Adams Falls when you have an hour, want a waterfall and do not have a dog. Pick the Monarch Lake Loop when you have half a day, want to walk around a lake and want to bring a leashed dog. Do the short one first if you just got to town.

The weather changes what each one feels like. Summer afternoons in the mountains can bring storms, so start early. Fall mornings are cold. Winter turns both trails into snowshoe days, so bring the right boots and check road and trail conditions first.

Distances come from local trail guides, and trail conditions, fees, closures and rules change. Check the National Park Service and the Forest Service for current information before you go. This post is a general guide and not advice on any one home.

Planning a visit, or a move? Book a call with me or text 970-531-1268 and we will build a day around the trails you like.