Loop Trail w/Trout Fishing?

[EastLovesWest]

My husband and I, two other couples, and our dog are planning a backpacking trip in early June. We've decided Colorado is our destination, but are still researching where exactly to go. We're coming (by car) from Abilene, TX, so we'd like to stay in the southern half of CO. We're looking for about a 3 day/3 night hike that will take us near some good trout fishing waters. We thought a loop-trail would be nice, to avoid going up and down the same trail, but that may not be possible. There are various levels of experience within our group, so moderate terrain would be best. We plan to pack in everything we need. Any advice would be great! Thanks..

[Mags]

My husband and I, two other couples, and our dog are planning a backpacking trip in early June.

Wow..a lot of people lately (between here, Trailforums.com and CDT-L) asking about hiking in Colorado in late May/ early June. :)

To sum this up, the mountains (esp in southern part of Colorado...i.e. the San Juans) are still gonna be full of snow. Not that you can't do it..it just may be more of a slog than is desirable.


Want more details? See this thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50057



I am not a fisherman, so I don't know where the good trout spots are, but I suspect they'll still be under snow in early June. :)

If you don't absolutely have to fish, and just want a nice experience in Colorado, the Sand Dunes (http://www.nps.gov/grsa/) are nice and are kind of/sort of in southern Colorado.

Unique..and snow free! :)

If you don't mind driving further, this loop (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/Backpacking-and-Hiking-documents/Favorite-Colorado-Hikes.html#lost-creek-wilderness-loop) is one of my absolute favorites and is one I do in late May/early June (In fact, I am doing it the weekend AFTER Memorial Day weekend). I have both a 26 mile and a 36 mile listed. Again, I am not sure of the fishing.


This may help though:
http://www.coloradofishing.net/ft_lcreek.htm