Northern Colorado

Trails West Magazine is a travel guide to northern Colorado, using creative storytelling, photography, video, and local insight to help visitors discover what makes this region unique. From mountain towns and scenic byways to historic sites, outdoor recreation, wildlife, local food, lodging, and hidden places worth the drive, Trails West Magazine highlights the landscapes, communities, and stories that define northern Colorado travel.

Northern Colorado

Continue to the category

Mount Richthofen: Colorado’s Majestic “Great Chief” of the Never Summer Mountains

Colorado
Nestled in Northern Colorado’s Never Summer Mountains, Mount Richthofen—also known as the “Great Chief”—rises to 12,940 ft above sea level in Rocky Mountain National Park. Known for its vivid red-orange sedimentary rock, glacier-carved valleys, and panoramic summit views, the peak combines rugged geology, rich natural beauty, and World War I history (named for the Red Baron) into an unforgettable climb. Perfect for hikers, backpackers, and nature lovers seeking solitude and scenery beyond the typical Colorado trails.

From Powder Cache to Heritage River: The Legacy of Colorado’s Cache la Poudre

North American Adventures Colorado
The Cache la Poudre River in northern Colorado is more than a scenic waterway—it’s a river shaped by frontier history, rugged canyons, and vital water rights.