Not sure what to get for your friend, family member, or significant other? Here are some of our most popular items — check them out or visit colocool.com to browse our complete selection.
If you live in Colorado or consider yourself an outdoor enthusiast, then chances are you have more than one beanie in your closet. This popular wardrobe staple can be found in an endless number of colors and styles — but you won’t find any quite like those from ColoradoCool. Our Colorado beanies consist of high-quality materials that are made to last. Each one is fleece-lined for the utmost comfort and warmth and they even come with a removable pom!
For the hiker in your life, check out one of our newest arrivals — the Peak to Peak Beanie. It features a unique gray and white design showcasing the snowy mountain peaks that we all know and love. This is a great option for those who love to rep Colorado gear but are looking for an alternative to popular Colorado flag apparel.
Or, take a look at our Nature Walk Beanie. This fun and colorful beanie features the Colorado Flag C and a snowflake pattern that’s reminiscent of a vintage holiday sweater. It’s one of our best-selling online items, and for good reason — it looks great and feels oh-so-cozy, thanks to the fleece lining!
At ColoradoCool, we have over 20 different Colorado-inspired beanies to choose from and each one is designed by us, right here in Colorado. Browse our complete collection and find a unique beanie for everyone on your holiday shopping list!
Another new addition to our collection is this stylish women’s sweater featuring a hand-drawn look that showcases the most recognized symbols of Colorado — mountains, trees, and the iconic big C from the Colorado flag. This cozy 3/4 sleeve sweater is made of a comfy poly/cotton blended french terry material tailored to provide a modern fit and fashionable neckline.
Our hand-illustrated Colorado Flag Hoodies are always a favorite. Unlike the hundreds of other Colorado flag hoodies you’ll find, ours are unique creations you won’t find anywhere else. Designed and printed right here in Colorado, they’re made of a warm and comfortable poly-cotton blend making them perfect for year-round use. Wear one as a base layer in the winter, or take one with you when you go camping in mountains. It’ll keep you from getting a chill during those cool summer nights.
Looking for a long-sleeve tee that is purely Colorado? This 100% ringspun cotton tee features the big Colorado C in a way you’ve never seen before — among the natural colors and landscape that represent our beautiful state. It showcases layered mountain scenery inside of the Colorado Flag C on a long-sleeve shirt in one of this season’s hottest colors. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best-selling items in our new fall 2020 collection!
We’ve also created a special version of this popular shirt just for her! Check out the Layered Mountain C Women's Long Sleeve T-Shirt in heather gray featuring gorgeous shades of blue tree-lined mountain landscape. It’s perfect for wearing on a cool fall hike or just about anywhere you want to rep the Colorado lifestyle!
Get those last few hard-to-buy-for people checked off of your holiday gift list with something that just about everyone could use — a sweet new Colorado hat that stands out in a crowd. This black and tan hat is one of our favorites. It features the Colorado flag C embroidered on the front with hand-drawn mountain scenery behind it. It’s perfect for those who love the Colorado outdoors and want quality, locally-made clothing to rep the Colorado lifestyle. It also comes in red and navy.
Because you can never have too many hats, ColoradoCool has also created this ultra-comfortable adjustable snapback hat in black and grey. We took the American flag and the iconic Colorado flag big C and put them together and placed it front and center. Not only will you love the look of this hat, but the breathable, lightweight front panels and visor will provide the ultimate in comfort. Like all of the hats from ColoradoCool, this hat is designed by us and manufactured by Zephyr so you know that you’re buying a quality item that’s also made close to home.
The holidays will be here before you know it. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your shopping done — find gifts for all of the Colorado fans in your life at ColoradoCool! We offer a large selection of shirts, hats, beanies, hoodies, and more, and every item is designed right here, in Northern Colorado.
We go out of our way to partner with other Colorado-based businesses who are committed to quality and responsible manufacturing practices. When you choose to buy from a local business like ColoradoCool you are not only getting superior products that are better for the planet, you are also making a difference by supporting your friends and neighbors.
Visit ColoradoCool and find something for everyone on your holiday list!
]]>If you read the first part of our new Colorado Beanie collection blog post, you will have already heard about what makes our Colorado beanies so great. But if you didn't, here's the high points.
What makes ColoradoCool beanies the best beanies in Colorado?
You will hear us talk about the fleece lining in our beanies often and that is for good reason. When we get hit with weather like this, the fleece lining provides that extra warmth that's going to keep you nice and warm even if you are out enjoying winter activities in Colorado all day. Its a total game changer. Whether you are out snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, whatever...these Colorado beanies won't let you down. It is easy to see the quality of design online, but being able to tell warmth and quality can be a little trickier. But you can trust us, these products won't disappoint you, we know this time of the year you need that top of the line quality to enjoy the great outdoors.
Now, let's get into some specific styles. We have a lot of awesome Colorado Flag beanies in this blog post. As always, we put extra time and thought into our designs so they aren't just the same old same old you've seen a hundred times. Everyone loves reppin' the Colorado Flag, but you don't have to sacrifice your style or individuality to do that...at least, not if you buy your Colorado gear from us.
First off, we have a Colorado Flag Beanie called the Carousel 2. This is one of a handful of beanies we carry that is inspired by all those awesome holiday sweaters you start to see this time of the year. However, with this design, while we made sure that we threw in plenty of holiday spirit and Colorado pride, we still kept it clean enough to rock on the daily. This product isn't something you can only wear for a fun holiday party. The white and dark navy heather cuff keep it stylish and on trend, making this fun Colorado Flag beanie something you can wear consistently, not just for fun holiday occasions.
Next we have a great option for those of us who don't like to wear so much color. This Colorado Flag Beanie is more subtle and is a product you can rock with a variety of outfits. The Night Camo Colorado Flag Beanie features a woven black and gray camo design with the Colorado Flag C dropped in on the right side of the crown. These are the types of Colorado Flag products that ColoradoCool offers that most other local brands don't. Between the quality of manufacturing and design, this product can hold its own on (and does...just go look in the Johnstown Scheels) next to North Face, Carhartt and Nike. We encourage you to buy one and see for yourself! What's better than getting a product made with top of the industry quality while supporting a small local business? Best of both worlds!
Our next item is another Colorado Flag Beanie called the Haven, this one another fashionable option that is geared more towards women. This is a product that you can wear with a variety of outfits as well. Particularly if you are rockin an outfit that is a little higher end, yet you're going to be outside some and need a beanie to stay nice and warm. This is one more example of a ColoradoCool product that goes beyond what is normally offered by our competitors. You can keep that classy look while rocking your Colorado pride with this Colorado Flag Beanie featuring a faux fur pom.
The black fleece lining in the Haven beanie will keep you nice and warm while you're out enjoying the beautiful Colorado outdoors. Order yours now and find out for yourself!
The last Colorado Flag Beanie we will feature in this post is called the Lodge. This product has an off white and dark navy heathered pattern with red and dark navy strips woven into the crown. The logo on the cuff features the Colorado Flag C, Colorado mountains and "Since 1876", referencing the year Colorado was established as a state. The screenprinted graphics have a weathered texture, combining nicely with the off white knitting to create a nice retro look. This Colorado Flag Beanie does not have the fleece lining like most of our Fall 20 Beanies. This is just because for some folks out there who run a little warmer, the fleece lining can be a little too toasty. Therefore, we wanted to offer a couple options without the lining.
Don't hesitate to pull the trigger on one of our new Colorado Beanies! Our products always ship quickly and come in really cool, customized boxes with a free sticker included! If you are shopping for a gift, the customized packaging and free sticker really put it over the top. You or you're loved one won't be disappointed, we promise! We have yet to receive less than a four star review yet, and even the four stars are very rare!
]]>Our new line of Colorado beanies includes some great Colorado Flag options that are fresh and different enough from what's currently out there. We do our best to create products that allow you to rep your Colorado pride while still being excited to rock something that feels fresh and new. For example, the Traverse beanie (shown above) has that classic Colorado Flag look, but the blue is a mix of dark and light royal to create a heathered color which is very trendy right now. Added design elements like this take our Colorado Flag products to a different level than our competitors. Another big aspect that takes our beanies to the next level is fleece lining...if you like the way this product looks, just wait until you try it on. Especially if you are looking for a great beanie to ski, snowboard or snowshoe in...the lining will go a long way keeping you warm all day.
If you're looking for a fun Colorado Flag Beanie this winter, our Neature Walk Beanie is a great option for you. Inspired by all those amazing Holiday sweaters out there, the Neature Walk features moose and bears strolling along the crown between a Christmas sweater pattern. The heathered navy and white cuff with the Colorado Flag embroidery makes the perfect fun Colorado Flag Winter hat. This beanie also features the amazingly comfortable and cozy fleece lining.
Searching for a Colorado Flag beanie with a little more edge to it? We have you covered there too. The Aurora is a really sweet option for folks who like to dress with a little more edge in their style. This black and gray heathered knit with the Colorado Flag C woven into the crown makes for a really nice alternative look...with ColoradoCool products you don't have to sacrifice your style to rock some CO pride. Fleece Lining included.
(show photo of fleece lining)
We understand! We all love rockin our state flag, I mean its the coolest state flag that represents the coolest state with the coolest people (hence our brand name ColoradoCool)..but its nice to mix things up too. We have new Colorado beanies that feature mountains and Colorado beanies that feature stylish Colorado wordmarks. These give you some great options to rep CO while mixing up your look.
First, the Crevasse is a nice and clean black, white and gray option with COLORADO woven into the crown. Perfect to go with a black or gray winter coat - this option also includes the fleece lining.
Next is a Women's Colorado Beanie. The Script is a cute and cozy option featuring a white/dark navy heather, an oversized pom and a nice feminine Colorado script woven into the dark navy stripe on the crown. This fashionable design paired with our fleece lining makes for a perfect way to stay warm and look good doing it this winter.
The last beanie we will feature in this blog is the Peak to Peak beanie. This bad boy features some stylized Colorado mountains on the crown with a grayscale color scheme throughout. This is a great beanie to rock when you're out carving it up. The fleece lining (I know I've mentioned this 100 times, but for good reason) will keep you nice and toasty so you can get after it all day.
]]>This time of year, we almost hate to see summer go, but we know that beautiful fall colors and the winter sports season are right around the corner. However, before you put away your sandals and pull out your ski boots, there are still several weeks to enjoy summer activities in Colorado. Here is our list of five things you should do before summer ends.
]]>This time of year, we almost hate to see summer go, but we know that beautiful fall colors and the winter sports season are right around the corner. However, before you put away your sandals and pull out your ski boots, there are still several weeks to enjoy summer activities in Colorado. Here is our list of five things you should do before summer ends.
You can go to the gym anytime, but why not head to a place that inspires you to do more, push harder, and be the best you can be? We’re talking about taking your workout to Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Although most people have only been to Red Rocks to see a concert (another must-do for any Coloradoan), they forget that the park is open to the public every day of the year. This is great news since most of the 2020 shows have been canceled due to COVID-19. It means you can still take in that awe-inspiring view and it won’t cost you a thing.
It’s hard not to get inspired when you’re running up and down stairs surrounded by towering rock formations that were formed almost 300 million years ago. Just try taking those 145 steps from the stage to the top and back down a few times, and you’ll soon realize why athletes of all types come to train here. Looking for something a little less strenuous? Check out one of the several hiking trails in and around Red Rocks that range in length from just over a mile to over six miles.
Much of Colorado has experienced unrelenting record-breaking temperatures this summer. If you’re getting tired of the heat, and just want to cool off, we have the perfect answer. Head to one of the many river-tubing spots in Colorado and enjoy a relaxing and refreshing float, while you still can. Water levels do tend to be lower this time of year, so you’ll always want to check ahead of time to confirm if the spot you are planning to go to has enough water, but there are still plenty of good places to go. The Yampa River in Steamboat Springs and the Poudre River in Fort Collins are two favorite destinations that offer miles of fun and refreshment.
If you’ve lived in Colorado for at least a week, then you’ve likely heard the term “14er” and you may have even hiked a few. These 14,000+ feet peaks get all the attention — and therefore they also get all of the traffic. In fact, the trails to many of the most popular 14ers — Longs Peak, Mount Bierstadt, Grays and Torreys — are often overcrowded, especially on the weekends. If you’re looking to practice responsible social distancing while enjoying a peaceful trek up a mountain, why not consider one of the many 13ers in Colorado?
Although many are only slightly lower in elevation, they still offer just about the same amount of challenge (and in some cases more) than the acclaimed 14ers. In fact, the highest 13er, Grizzly Peak, is just a mere 12 feet short of hitting the 14,000-foot mark.
Besides the fact that you’ll probably have a quieter, much more enjoyable hike if you’re trying to check monumental hikes off of your list, many people don’t realize just how many 13ers there are in Colorado. In fact, there are a total of 637 of them! This is more than ten times the number of 14ers! That’s why, before the snow starts to fly, we recommend heading out to bag one or more of these beautiful peaks. Mount Audubon is one of the more popular 13ers because of its close proximity to Boulder, and it’s rated lower on the difficulty scale. However, if you’re looking for a challenge and some solitude, Jagged Mountain in The San Juans is definitely worth the effort.
Colorado’s arid climate, rugged terrain, and vast prairies can sometimes make you forget that our great state is actually home to over 4,000 lakes. Many of them may only be accessed by hiking trails, but there are hundreds that can be used for swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing, and more.
Unless you’re planning to partake in a polar plunge or ice fishing, chances are you’ll want to enjoy lake time while the weather is still warm. Fortunately, all you have to do is grab a blanket or a camping chair, and find your spot next to the water. For a little more excitement, you can visit any number of gear rentals to rent a standup paddleboard or kayak so you can actually explore the lake on the water.
If you really just want to get out on the water in a boat, but don’t want the cost and upkeep associated with owning one, you’ll be happy to know that you can actually rent boats of all sizes at many marinas. While it might set you back a few hundred dollars (depending on how long you rent it), being able to have your very own boat — even if just for the day — is well worth the cost. Just want to try it out for an hour or two? Many places, such as the marina in Estes Park will even rent by the half-hour.
If you’re a fan of Colorado microbrews, then you probably know that there’s no better time to enjoy them than during the summer, on a patio. With many restaurants and breweries choosing to set up additional responsibly-spaced outdoor seating, there are more places than ever before where you can enjoy a cold, frosty beverage while taking in the views.
If beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry — there are usually plenty of other thirst-quenching options. Ciders, seltzers, and even kombucha and small-batch sodas are all popular alternatives that taste particularly refreshing on a patio during a hot summer (or end-of-summer) day.
In Colorado, the end of summer is bittersweet — we’ll miss the extra hours of sunshine, but we also welcome the cooler temperatures and changing colors. No matter what season it is, we love living in Colorado and experiencing all that it has to offer.
At ColoradoCool, we create unique, high-quality, Colorado-inspired apparel and accessories made for those who love our great state and it’s active lifestyle. Each of our designs is hand-drawn, right here in Northern Colorado, and you won’t find them anywhere else. Whether you’re looking to replace your summer tees, or you need a new hat or hoodie for fall, we hope you’ll shop ColoradoCool and support a local business who loves Colorado just as much as you do!
]]>Fifteen minutes later we found ourselves in a downpour that would have us questioning why we were driving to begin with. We had been in a car 2 and half hours already that day, do we really need to drive more, much less in a downpour? We changed our plans again, deciding to hang out at the campground until the evening when we would head over to the Twin Lakes General Store to say whats up and talk some business.
Sitting in our tents in the rain, we were interrupted by a phone call. The dealership called John about his car that broke down. Immediately my interest was piqued! I had rebuilt an engine earlier this spring, so anything automotive related had my attention. John hung up and sighed as he told me he received a $600 quote for replacing a sensor. I rushed to my phone and after 10 minutes could not understand how it could cost that much. John’s dad works at a dealership; he also thought it was bit outlandish and suggested we try to replace the sensor ourselves. We decided we would try to do that on our way back home and got back to being present on our adventure. We cooked a few burgers with bacon and made our way into town.
We met with Bob from the Twin Lakes General Store that evening. John had a delivery of various Colorado beanies to resupply the store, and Bob as well as his staff are super friendly so conversation begins...before you know it, there was a creative brainstorm regarding designs for the fall season. Stopping at the Twin Lakes General Store is a must for anyone exploring this area. The authentic old-style store provides everything from camping equipment and hiker-oriented food to Colorado apparel and CDT (Continental Divide Trail) souvenirs. And don't forget to check out the customized ColoradoCool/Twin Lakes General Store Colorado Flag apparel. This design is one that John worked closely with Bob on and is made up of a bunch of graphics depicting all things Twin Lakes, its pretty awesome. Bob drove the bus on this design regarding the content that was included, so you know its going to depict Twin Lakes well!
Back at camp, we did the last of our fueling for the big hike. By 9 o’clock, we were in our sleeping bags and dozing off. 5 AM hits and we were up… at least mostly. We were both rocking different colorways of ColoradoCool's Colorado Flag Collage design. These triblend fabric t-shirts are made of great material for hiking and the graphic is perfect for repping the Colorado outdoors. I’m not much of a morning person, but within an hour we were on the trail and saw the sun rising on the peaks across the valley.
The route we chose was the Southeast Ridge of Mt. Elbert, and it did not disappoint, and it did not withhold its challenge. After cruising through the first few miles, we hit the proverbial wall climbing around 1500 feet of elevation in less than a mile! But with a little perseverance and some inspiration from Raji, who was scooting up and down the trail no problem with a giant smile on his face, we made our way up. Once past that stretch, we stopped and soaked in some sunshine, refueled, and then continued on. We still had to traverse over South Elbert to get to our objective mountain.
I underestimated how long it would take us from there. The Elbert massif takes up a lot of space, breathing gets harder, and the ridge is deceptively longer than one would think. But we sucked it up and reached the summit by 10 AM, greeted by hikers who primarily took other routes. After hours of hiking, we were on top of Colorado! The views up there are incredible....we felt on top of the world. While I have summited Elbert a few times before...that view doesn't get old! I had also never taken the Southeast ridge route, which provided a new challenge. We relaxed for a bit, enjoyed the views and did our best to stop Raji crawling into everyone's laps while they tried to take a load off. Of course, with John running a local Colorado business, opportunities for epic photos can never be missed. So we busted out a few unique ColoradoCool Colorado Flag hats and snapped a few shots before the descent.
Our original plan was to be in Denver to repair John’s car that evening before the auto parts store and dealership closed. In order to do that, logistics would have to move fast, and we were running out of time. Between the saddle of Mt. Elbert and South Elbert, and knowing what traffic would be like in Denver, it became clear to move to plan B: take our time, enjoy the space (which also meant getting more photos for ColoradoCool's marketing manager Erika) and save fixing the car for the next day.
Hiking along the ridgeline was quite peaceful; gentle breezes, speckled clouds, and sunshine floated by us like ripples on a lake. Patches of Columbine flowers sprung out along a stream as we hiked back down. We had clearly made the right decision not to rush back to civilization (as always right?)...this should have been Plan A all along
We arrived back at the Jeep and took a deep breath. The stats for the day were 11.5 miles, 5300 feet of elevation gain, in just under 7 hours. Then began the devising of our next plan: stopping by the General Store for snacks and souvenirs, then dipping our toes and washing our faces in Twin Lakes. From there, we would walk main street in Leadville, eat mouthwatering burritos at Casa Sanchez, and then finally hit the road for home. The following morning we cruised back down to Denver, were able to easily replace the sensor in John’s car (saving hundreds of dollars - a big deal when running a young, small business during a pandemic) and provided a relief that would allow us the rest of the weekend to unwind, reflect, unpack, and get ready for the next week. We had an awesome time on this trip and want to give a special thanks to Bob and his staff at Twin Lakes General Store for the hospitality, looking forward to being back up soon!
Until Next time...Cheers Colorado!
-Zeke
]]>
With so many outdoor options, hiking was our preferred recreation for this trip because we wanted to find wildflowers. Did you know that Crested Butte is one of the best places to find wildflowers in Colorado? It is known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado!” They hold a wildflower festival each summer. We were a little early for the festival, but that was by design. We knew we would not be there at the peak of the season, but that also meant there would be fewer people on the trails. It is a tradeoff that we were willing to take. That, of course, is a personal decision and for many visitors the extra flowers being in full bloom would be well worth sharing them with a few extra people. I was excited to bring along my new local Colorado hat from ColoradoCool Apparel for these hikes, which features an assortment of native Colorado wildflowers that were painted by a local Colorado artist. While I normally have to debate a little while choosing which of my local Colorado hats I want to wear for a hike, this time it was a no-brainer.
As we pulled into town where we had good cell service, we used the All Trails app to make a hiking plan for the following day. If you are not familiar with this app, it’s an invaluable tool for hiking. Just search by area and it will pull up a list of nearby hikes, their difficulty rating, special features of each trail, directions to the trailhead, a map of the layout and reviews by other hikers. We decided to hike the Snodgrass Mountain Trail first thing in the morning and follow that up with a hike on the Lower Loop Trail. The two hikes combined would be a little over 11 miles. That seemed just perfect with Snodgrass being a 4.4 mile moderate trail and the Lower Loop being a longer 7.3 mile easy trail. We had a plan! Now to find a place to set up camp.
We were tent camping and had not made a reservation at one of the campgrounds in the area, as this trip was kind of a spur of the moment decision. There are quite a few dispersed camping spots between Buena Vista and Crested Butte and on up Kebler Pass, so we just drove until we found the one that felt right for us. There were many options, some with people, some more remote; some with easy access and some that required a high clearance vehicle; some with mostly Lodgepole pine and some with more quaking aspen and undergrowth. In addition to dispersed camping, there are several campgrounds in the surrounding area (Gothic Campground, Cement Creek Campground and Lake Irwin Campground, to name a few). Some of them take reservations and some are first come, first served. I guess you could say there is something for everyone.
We found the perfect spot to pitch our tent, setup camp, unpack our Colorado apparel (necessary for hiking in Colorado) and spent the rest of the evening relaxing at camp. Sitting around a campfire, breathing the cool mountain air, listening to a stream nearby and eating food that always tastes better in the mountains, makes you realize just how good life is!
We set our alarm, which is not normally something we would do while camping, but we wanted to beat the heat of the day, the afternoon thunderstorms and the people on the trails. Even the drive to the trailhead was awesome! Crested Butte is surrounded by mountains, so there is incredible beauty in every direction.
We started up the trail with only a handful of other hikers taking off at sunrise. There was a slight chill in the air at just a bit over 40°. We had our Colorado flag hoodies on as a top layer over our ColoradoCool t-shirts. This proved to be the perfect combination. I was, of course, wearing my new Native Wildflower hat mentioned earlier. My husband had recently purchased a different Colorado hat from ColoradoCool which he has been wearing practically every day since. His hat features a digi-camo pattern that is made up of small Colorado Flag C’s as well as a patch that says Colorado and features the Rocky Mountains. Aside from the great look, it also has a comfort sweatband made of a performance fabric making it the best hat for hiking. We had absolutely breathtaking views from the start! Shortly after leaving the trailhead we were immersed in a sea of Mule’s Ear Sunflowers with quite a bit of Silvery Lupine thrown in for good measure. We had found our wildflowers!
We passed a few mule deer here and there as we climbed. So peaceful. So gentle. So beautiful. A little over an hour into the hike, we decided to pull up a tree stump and have a snack. Just as we sat down, we saw him! Across the meadow was a bear! Yes, a beautiful young boar just grazing his way across the edge of the field. He had not yet seen us, so we were able to watch him for a short time before we decided to move along just to be safe. He was heading right in the direction that we had been planning to go. Needless to say, this is where we changed course a bit! We took the other fork in the trail, talking loudly as we walked so we did not surprise him in any way. We had walked for about 10 more minutes, with the path making kind of a U-turn as it wound around down the hill. About 100 yards straight ahead, walking down the trail... there he was! We can’t be sure, but we think it was the same beautiful bear! He was walking away from us until he heard us behind him. He turned his head when he heard our voices. We yelled at him and he took off up the hill. Not that it’s a guarantee, but I was definitely thankful to have bear spray with us. What an amazing opportunity to see a bear in the wild!
If you are looking for the best hike in Crested Butte, I would encourage you to check out all or part of Snodgrass. This hike was just perfect for us! Not too difficult, but definitely a good workout with plenty of uphill for the first half of the hike. There were breathtaking views of mountains in every direction and so many gorgeous wildflowers! When you add in the wildlife to top it off, it really doesn’t get any better than that!
Back at the car, we once again used the app to find the trailhead for the Lower Loop. We had seen everything we could ever hope to see on this early morning hike, but we wanted to take advantage of our time in the mountains and continue on. The first mile of this hike is on a dirt road which has you walking past Peanut Lake, an old mining artifact they apparently call “Gronk,” several songbirds and a few wildflowers scattered here and there. Hiking on a road is not our favorite thing, but it was a nice walk without a whole lot of vehicle traffic. This is a great trail for those who don’t want a big workout but still want to experience the beautiful mountain scenery. It’s mostly flat, with a fairly good climb about half way through if you make the entire loop. The trail takes you beside the unbelievably clear Slate River for quite a while with the Elk Mountains off in the distance. Because we enjoy a more challenging hike, the trail itself was not that spectacular, but the views and landscape were absolutely out of this world!
Although our time in Crested Butte was relatively short, our experience could not have been any bigger! In one weekend, we shared trails with mule deer, chipmunks, songbirds, a bear (or maybe two), and even a bull moose in velvet! Our quest for wildflowers was a success. We were surrounded by awesome mountains and breathtaking scenery in every direction. We were recharged by soaking in the grandeur of the beautiful Colorado outdoors! If you have ever considered taking that slightly out-of-the-way jaunt to Crested Butte, I would highly recommend it! Crested Butte, we will be back! And remember, if you are like us (and most Coloradans seem to be) and love showing your Colorado pride while hiking by wearing local Colorado clothing & repping that CO Flag, ColoradoCool Apparel is always my first suggestion!
]]>You can buy Colorado clothing — especially those with the Colorado flag design — just about anywhere. And while we do love our flag, we also don’t want to wear the same thing as everyone else. That’s why we’ve chosen to create our own unique designs, inspired by the Colorado lifestyle we know and love. Each one of our new hats was designed in Fort Collins, Colorado and they’re made with the highest-quality materials. If you’re like us, you pretty much live in your favorite hat, and ours will hold up to whatever you put them through.
Hats can be as unique as the person wearing them, and not everyone likes the same fit and shape. That’s why we made sure to include a variety of popular types to suit your individual style. Whether you love rockin’ a mesh trucker hat, or you’re looking for a classic cotton chambray, we have all of these and more, with designs you won’t find anywhere else. We even partnered with a local artist to create our Colorado Native Flowers Trucker Hat. This hand-painted design, showcasing the beauty of our state flower, is featured on our 100% polyester trucker hat.
If flowers aren’t your thing, check out one of our other Colorado hats featuring the “Big C”. We’ve taken this beloved trademark of the Colorado flag and incorporated it into our own unique designs. Looking for a new favorite hat or a great gift for the Coloradan in your life? Take a look at this trucker hat with synthetic leather patch featuring the Colorado “C” and a variety of popular landmarks. There’s no better way to show your appreciation for the Colorado lifestyle we love so much.
When it comes to hats, people often have a preference for either a modern flat bill or a traditional curved bill. If flat bills are your style of choice, check out our Colorado Flag Camo Flat Bill. This trendy hat combines fashionable camo colors with the big Colorado flag C. Now you can show your Colorado pride without sacrificing your individuality, with this flat bill only offered by ColoradoCool.
Of course, curved bills are still a time-tested favorite, and we have several of them to choose from. Whether you’re just looking for a comfortable hat with a clean look, or you prefer one that makes a statement, each of our hats has been designed to stand out in a crowd.
Are you looking for some new Colorado gear to rep our epic state of Colorado? Show your pride by investing in quality products sold by local Colorado businesses. At ColoradoCool, we’re dedicated to bringing you Colorado-inspired clothing that is both unique and fashionable. We use only the best fabrics and materials for comfort and durability. Plus, we go out of our way to partner with suppliers who focus on sustainability and are committed to maintaining high ethical working standards.
Things are a little crazy right now, and many stores are still closed or have limited hours because of COVID-19. Fortunately, we make it easy to shop for your new Colorado gear right from the comfort of your home. Visit our website and start out by checking out our new Colorado hats. While you’re at it, pick up a new tee or tank to go with it. We have dozens of colors and styles to choose from, and remember — all of our items are designed by us, right here in Northern Colorado and they ship for free to anywhere in the United States.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and give us your email so you can learn about upcoming sales and new merch. And as always, thank you for your support and for helping us rep Colorado like never before!
ColoradoCool was born out of a love for Colorado and it’s active lifestyle. We know how it feels to put on your favorite shirt and head out for an adventure. Instead of buying your next Colorado t-shirt at a faceless retail giant, why not support people who live in and love Colorado just like you? Learn more about who we are and what inspired us to start ColoradoCool by visiting our About Us page.
Show that you love the state you live in without looking like everyone else. These days, you can buy a shirt with a Colorado flag on it at the mall, where you buy your groceries, and even at your local drug store! While we appreciate all of the Colorado love out there, it’s nice to be able to put on a shirt without wondering if you’re going to run into three other people with the same one. At ColoradoCool, we offer exclusive designs inspired by all-things-Colorado and you won’t find them anywhere else.
Our newest design features an artful interpretation of Colorado landscape and wildlife as well as some of the ways we like to enjoy our time outdoors. At first glance, you’ll notice the telltale Colorado “C” but the more you study it, the more you’ll notice details you hadn’t seen before. Just as you can get lost in all that Colorado has to offer, our new t-shirt was designed with a similar theme in mind.
When you purchase from us, you’re buying from a company that’s committed to quality. What exactly does that mean? It means we source our t-shirts and other apparel from manufacturers that are known for their superior craftsmanship. From hiking and camping to biking and climbing, we created clothing that we know will stand up to the abuse we put them through.
Not only are our partners committed to quality, but they are also dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards with regard to fair working conditions and worker safety. Besides sourcing from trusted clothing suppliers, we also work with Denver’s first and only certifiably green printing shop. This means they have taken big steps to show their dedication to sustainability by doing things that make a difference for our planet.
Whenever you make a purchase, whether it be for clothing or any other goods or services, you are making an investment in that business. If you love Colorado as we do, we hope that you’ll show your support for local businesses like ours. All of our products are designed, printed, and shipped from Colorado. We’ve worked hard to earn your business by seeking out reputable suppliers, creating unique designs, and making a commitment to quality. Doing things the right way isn’t always the easiest, but it’s definitely worth it.
Are you looking for your new, favorite Colorado tee? Check out our newest design featuring a one-of-a-kind depiction of the Colorado flag and Colorado life. Made of premium tri-blend fabric that’s as comfortable as it is durable, it’s sure to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts as well as lovers of all things Colorado.
Looking for more Colorado garb? Take a look at our complete collection to find everything you need to show up in style — from hats and beanies to t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, and more. Shop ColoradoCool today!
]]>No matter who you are shopping for (friends, family, significant others, yourself) this holiday season, we are sure you'll be able to find the perfect Colorado gift for everyone on your list! Here are a few of our top recommendations:
Our best selling Colorado Flag thermal hoodies are a "can't miss" gift this holiday season. Not only are they super comfortable and great to wear in a variety of situations, but this custom Colorado Flag graphic contains countless aspects of the Colorado lifestyle. Our flag contains so much of Colorado - area codes, landmarks, hobbies - that there is no way it won't represent your loved one! These thermal hoodies are awesome to wear during chilly spring and fall mornings, around the house, at work and under your heavy coat during the winter and around the campfire during those Colorado summer nights..we'll be shocked if you go a week without wearing them regardless of the season! And take our word for it....if you could feel them right now you would already be checking out!
Regardless of who you are shopping for, we are confident we have a Colorado beanie that will make for a great gift! Beanies featuring Colorado mountain ranges, the Colorado flag, the Denver skyline, Colorado Flag colors, fleece linings, big poms, no poms, a variety of color combos.... we have it all!
Next to our Colorado Flag Hoodies, we place this product at the top of the "can't miss" list. If the guy/gal you are shopping for loves flatbills, this Mountain Camo hat is our number one recommendation. And that's not just our opinion, we have barely been able to keep this hat in stock! The mountains and the camo come together to create a very cool, very unique, Colorado themed cap.
Colorado birchwood holiday ornaments engraved in the good ole USA! We are very proud to offer ornaments that feature such intricate, detailed, wood engraving! Whether you are a Colorado native, or reminiscing an awesome vacation, these Colorado ornaments will be great as gifts or additions to your tree this holiday season!
- - -
Keep in mind - all orders are shipped in our NEW custom ColoradoCool packaging...adding a lot of flavor to your holiday gifts and making them that much more memorable!!!
]]>Even in the summertime, our Colorado Flag Hoodies are a perfect lightweight hoodie option for those Colorado summer nights that are just a little too chilly for a t-shirt or tank. If you purchase a ColoradoCool Colorado Flag Hoodie here, we would be surprised if you go more than a week anytime throughout the year without putting it to good use!
Aside from the functionality and high-quality of this product, the Colorado Flag graphic is really popular both among tourists and locals. It incorporates popular Colorado destinations from all over Colorado - from Denver, to Colorado Springs, to Fort Collins to Telluride....and many more! Its also incorporates a lot of aspects of the Colorado lifestyle that we all love so much! Checking out the graphics on this Colorado Flag hoodie that can be rocked year-round is always a lot of fun and it is printed in a high quality ink that won't fade by a fantastic, Colorado based company, Superior Ink. We have yet to have a disappointed customer who purchased our Colorado Flag Hoodie.
Finding a unique, well executed depiction of the Colorado Flag isn't easy these days, but we take a lot of pride in ours - both because of the quality of the product as well as the effort we put into executing our popular Colorado Flag design. With the holidays coming up, this is a perfect Colorado holiday gift. Consider ordering one now for you or for a loved one for the holidays and we know you won't be disappointed!!
]]>It's that time of year! The bittersweet time of the year where the days of walking out to get the mail in your boxers are all but gone and the days where you don't have to consider how your jacket choice is going to match your kicks are few and far between. However, that also means that the slopes have opened up, warm cozy fires are soon to be ignited, the creative excuse to have a little whiskey after work becomes less and less necessary AND THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING! Man, gotta love the holidays. You get time off work to spend with friends and family, non grinchy folks are in a good mood, holiday decorations go up....all you have to do is be merry and make sure you don't blow it buying some awful, lame, disappointing gifts for your loved ones! Don't worry folks, Colorado's best apparel company, ColoradoCool, has you covered this 2018 holiday season with some great Colorado gift options for him or her. Whether you are looking for a Colorado shirt, Colorado hat or a Colorado beanie, we're confident we have some Colorado clothing that fits your gifting needs. Now, buying clothes as Christmas gifts can be tricky as we all know clothing is not a "one style fits all" situation. So, we are going to try and provide some insight to help you in finding the best Colorado Christmas gifts this year.
Fall '18 Knits (left to right-San Juan, Back2Back, Highlight, Carousel, Cozy)
Great Gift for Him (Teen/Early Twenties)- If you're looking for a great Christmas gift for a teenage male who loves Colorado, we have several great options that as a whole, cater to a wide variety of style preferences. The Carousel Knit (seen above) is a great CO Flag Christmas gift that can be worn by a variety of people. One of those people is a teenager who likes to have a fun with their gear, isn't afraid to be a little goofy yet still has a good sense of style. If they aren't afraid to bust out an ugly holiday sweater for the holidays to get some laughs, you can be sure this is a home run gift. A good sense of Colorado pride is a plus as well. If that sounds like the fella you are shopping for, this Colorado Flag knit would be a great Christmas gift option.
Now, if you're shopping for a teenager who takes himself a little more seriously, likes to look cool rockin more of a skater/hiphop look (maybe aspires to have/has an SUV with tinted windows, likes flat bills, etc.) then the Highlight Knit is an awesome gift option for you. Products like this are what we feel make ColoradoCool stand out as the best local Colorado clothing brand. This blacked out, ribbed cuff knit has the creativity, style and quality that you see industry leading brands like NewEra putting out.
So many local clothing brands have stuff that can be found in gas stations or looks like the company manufacturing them doesn't even have a design department. The Highlight beanie still has all the components included to rep Colorado proudly, but you're not sacrificing quality or the level of style that can be found in stores like Zumiez. This is the kind of place that this sort of dude is going to want to buy his apparel from. ColoradoCool Apparel, while still being a great local Colorado brand, is able to deliver when it comes to meeting that desired style, look and quality. This is part of the reason the brand was started, to manufacture gear that has local content without sacrificing the quality and style you get buying brands like Volcom and DC. Another great option for this demographic is our edgy, sleek and extremely comfortable long sleeve shirt The View.
This is an especially strong option if your shopping for somebody who loves snowboarding in Colorado. The View features some awesome graphics depicting a Colorado Mountain scene framed by snowboarding/skiing goggles with the face covered by a ColoradoCool bandana. This shirt also has similar graphics on the back, getting you a lot of bang for your buck. If you need to get a gift for a young man who loves Colorado and likes shirts that have bigger graphics on them, then this is a great gift option for him. Its fairly loud but not anything over the top because its grayscale, so even if he is a more conservative dresser, he should be happy with it.
As for those who are more into following the current fashion trends, a great option is probably the DownLow Washed. "Dad Hats" have been very trendy for awhile now, and while this Colorado Flag Hat is not your traditional Dad Hat (usually has a smaller logo on the front and thats all) this product is that same style with a little extra flavor. If your buying for somebody who just wants to strictly follow trends, this may be a little too different from the normal dad hat for them, but if they are into fashion trends and also like being unique...this is a great gift for him. It has a bigger front logo that uses the Colorado Flag colors as well as the Colorado Flag made up of several Colorado landmarks and area codes on the undervisor. For somebody who fits the description above and also loves Colorado gear..this will be a home run! If you want a more "on the nose" Dad hat, our PuffPuff Pass Washed Hats would be exactly what you are looking for. They have the single small logo and are humorous like Dad Hats often are....but if you are shopping for your kid whose still in high school....you might want to wait a few years on this one. :) One last option for this type of person could be the Colorado Landmark Bandana. Bandanas are trending right now and we have two color options that both mix in countless aspects of Colorado Life into a fun and dope looking design.
Remember now, if these options we have gone over don't seem like a great gift for your guy, we have plenty of other great options on the site. If they love hiking in Colorado and are more into Colorado outdoor life, the 14er Trucker or the TopoTrucker are both terrific gift options for him. Just remember buying hats, some people prefer snaps and some people prefer fitted, so double check on that preference first!
Great Gift for Him (Middle Aged)
As you get a little older, presenting yourself as a respectable member of society might become more of a priority. This might mean finding a littttle more balance in expressing yourself in how you dress and trying to look like a real adult. However, that doesn't mean you can't have a little bit of fun. Now, while an option like The Roadie might be a little over the top, our PuffPuff Pass Hats are a great option regarding that middle ground. The reference is subtle and the hats are basic and clean, but its still great for getting some laughs and perfect for those clever folks out there who love a good play on words. At first glance, it looks like your typical Colorado mountain hat, featuring one of Colorado's great mountain passes. At festivals we witness a very high percentage of people LOL when they see these products and comment on how they like the subtly. Definitely a great gift for somebody who loves some nice, chill, Colorado mountain time and some humor.
Another great Colorado gift for him would be any of the Colorado Landmark Flag shirts or hoodies. These are available in charcoal, dark navy and royal. These shirts are unique, featuring a big Colorado Flag graphic on the lower half of the shirt. This Colorado Flag graphic is made up of a bunch of smaller graphics featuring different aspects of Colorado and the Colorado lifestyle. The more you look, the more you love!
Great Gift for Him (little more...life experience)
A lot of our Colorado gear is designed with some pretty loud graphics in a style which may not lend itself to older folks, but we absolutely do have a handful of products that makes for great gifts that aren't quite so loud. Our Microtribute Shirts feature a smaller, one color design that is nice and clean yet still has plenty of Colorado incorporated. The four Colorado area codes are featured in each of the different bottlecaps of this design accompanied by Colorado landmarks from that area. 303 is represented by Denver's skyline, 719 by Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods, 970 by Fort Collin's Horsetooth Rock and 720 by the world's best concert venue, Red Rocks! We can promise if you buy this gift for him and he loves Colorado and very comfortable shirts, you'll be good to go!
Another great gift option for him - if he loves hiking in Colorado and has hiked some Colorado fourteeners before, would be the 14er Trucker. This Colorado outdoors hat mixes together several great components of Colorado outdoor life together to make a great hat. The organic colors, the waxed canvas front, the performance sweatband, the front graphic in the shape of the U.S Forest Service patch and to top it off, silhouettes and elevations of Colorado's famous fourteeners. Like I said, if he loves hiking in Colorado and likes hats, this is a can't miss gift for him (really for any guy fitting this description-regardless of age).
Great Gift for Her (Teen/Twenties)
A very popular knit for pretty much any demographic, the Carousel knit is a great gift for her if she loves rockin' Colorado gear that is loud and fun! This Colorado flag beanie is the perfect mix of comfort and style. Whether its for hitting the slopes or a chilly night on the town, she'll look cute and fun in this ColoradoCool beanie.
Another great gift for her (if she likes rock climbing) would be the Womens Ascent tank top. This polyester/cotton blend racerback tanktop features a rock wall in Colorado Flag colors with a female rocking climber ascending the wall. If you think she will like the look, she certainly will not be disappointed with the quality. Its a very comfortable tank that uses a water based ink (resulting in minimal feel) for the Colorado Flag colored graphics.
Great Gift for Her (Middle Aged)
We also have a few t-shirts that make great gifts for her this holiday season. The first being one of our Microtribute shirts. These come in three colors and they are super, super comfortable. Our MicroTribute shirts feature a smaller, one color design that is nice and clean yet still has plenty of Colorado featured. The Colorado Area codes are featured in each of the different bottlecaps of this design accompanied by Colorado landmarks from that area. 303 is represented by Denver's skyline, 719 by Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods, 970 by Fort Collin's Horsetooth Rock and 720 by the world's best concert venue, Red Rocks!
One last gift for her that we would suggest for any age...is the Cozy Beanie. It is super comfortable, super warm and suppper stylish! This ColoradoCool beanie has a fleece lining on the inside that will keep you cozy on the coldest of Colorado days. This beanie also features a silver reflective tag with the ColoradoCool logo just to add that little extra somethin somethin!
Trust us, buy some ColoradoCool gear for your loved ones this holiday season and they won't be disappointed! Remember to check out the site for any other options that might suit your gift needs and keep an eye on our social media for any brand new releases this month! HINT HINT.
Happy Holidays....Until next time...keep it ColoradoCool!
]]>We cruised to the Mesa October 5th, leaving at about 7pm to try and avoid some of that Front Range traffic and got there about midnight. The weather on Saturday was definitely fall mountain weather, a little chilly with some frost here and there but still plenty of great colors. Our plan was to stay secluded up on the Mesa for as much of the trip as possible. However, Cedaredge is just down the hill and the Cedaredge AppleFest happened to be going down that weekend. We knew there might be some snow coming our way and the idea of stocking the cabin with some local apple cider and apple pie was just too tempting.... had to get our hands on some of that goodness. If you are aware of Cedaredge's reputation for delicious apples, you know where we were coming from. Once we had that done, we geared up in some ColoradoCool Apparel and enjoyed some nice long walks along the many lakes on the Mesa....then Saturday evening the snow began to move in.
We woke up Sunday morning to find the Grand Mesa covered in snow. It was beautiful. With the lakes not being frozen over yet the dark lakes provided a contrast against the snow that was straight epic. Thankfully, we knew snow might be coming and had come prepared. We geared up, rocking our newly released ColoradoCool beanies, and headed to Crag Crest Trail....stoked for our first snow hike of the season!
Nothing like being the first to hit a trail with some fresh snow on it, especially when you have an awesome doggie reppin his black Colorado bandana who knows the trail and can lead the way. Crag Crest Trail is a great Colorado hike that has a nice mix of strolls through wooded areas and inclines that open up along hillsides providing some awesome mountain views. My Colorado Flag Beanie, "The Highlight" kept my plenty warm for this hike and will on most winter hikes. Erika was rockin "The Cozy", that is a local Colorado beanie with a fleece lining which is awesome for those who tend to get a little colder on these types of hikes. As I said, Crag Crest Trail provides a lot of great views and is a really amazing hike. We didn't see a single person on this hike, in part due to the snow. However, we have hit this trail before on the middle of a beautiful, sunny, warm fall day and only saw a handful of people. Nice perk of Western Colorado hiking, little less traffic. It is a 10.8 mile loop that is a moderate hike.
View of Island Lake from Crag Crest Trail.
We had our microspikes with us and used them for part of the time, but since the snow had just fallen the night before and it wasn't all that cold, there wasn't much ice. Just personal preference at that point. Just make sure if you are going to visit the Grand Mesa in the fall that you bring a variety of clothing options (preferably local Colorado clothing of course) and you'll have no shortage of things to get into in Colorado's great outdoors!
Couldn't have asked for a better three day weekend on the Mesa honestly. Experienced a little bit of fall, a little bit of winter, little bit of pie and cider, plenty of coffee and reading bundled up in the cabin with no internet or tv....great way to kick back, relax and reset. If you have never hiked in the winter, we would highly suggest it. Just pick up a pair of microspikes and make sure you dress warm...once you get going and that blood gets pumping you will be good to go! The views and the silence you'll find on some of these hikes during the winter is amazing. If you head up to the Mesa during the winter, just be sure to remember certain roads are only accessible by snowmobile, you will sink into the snow and get stuck on certain roads...I (despite Erika's warnings) learned that last year the hard way.
Pretty awesome view heading down the Grand Mesa, you can see Powderhorn Mountain Resort off in the distance. Such an awesome area. Anyways, until next time! Make sure to check out our new ColoradoCool Beanies, we have a few cool Colorado Flag Beanies, one beanie with the San Juans woven in, another that's just an awesome local Colorado beanie that's suppper comfortable and perfect if you get really cold on winter hikes like these and even a reversible that incorporates the Colorado Flag colors as well as the Colorado Avalanche colors! Scope out the link below and you'll be sure to find something you love!
Take care and keep it ColoradoCool!!!
]]>Well everybody, it's that time of year when you start feeling that fresh, brisk Colorado mountain air early in the morning that gives you a little hint of a shiver, letting you know fall is here. If you're posted up in Colorado (or anywhere else with a real winter) that means its time to start gearing up for some weather that requires more than a tee and shorts. We've already had some snowfall early this October, so I assume you are keeping an eye out for some dope beanies that will keep you warm this winter!
Well, you've come to the right place. ColoradoCool Apparel has recently released our new line of Fall 18 beanies. We have five diverse styles that should provide an option for anyone looking to stay warm and stylish the next six months. We have a few products incorporating the Colorado flag, one incorporating the San Juan Mountain Range, one reversible that utilizes the Colorado Flag colors AND the Colorado Avalanche colors (hoping for another good season fellas!!) and one called the Cozy that is just super dope and suppperr comfy. The Cozy (far right in above photo) even has a thermal lining for extra warmth through the Colorado Winter...hoping for lots of snow!! We already experienced plenty last weekend up on the Grand Mesa and now some sprinkles along the Front Range, so we're off to a good start. Now, lets scope the new designs!
At ColoradoCool Apparel we do like to use the Colorado Flag in our designs, but we try to do it in creative ways that don't look like it was designed in ten minutes. Just because the Colorado Flag is an awesome, popular icon that represents our amazing state, that shouldn't serve as an excuse for half-assing the designs it gets used in. Some of the other local Colorado companies don't seem to feel the same way, but hey, to each their own!
Our first Fall 18 Knit that incorporates the Colorado Flag is the CO Flag Carousel. This Colorado flag beanie starts off with a dk navy knit base and a ribbed cuff. Next, a super sweet winter pattern knit into the crown. The pattern has the state flag worked into it in a unique way as it repeats itself, circling around the crown. People are going to be scopin out how legit you are from all angles when you're rockin this gem. The logo on the cuff is embroidered and features a graphic incorporating some dope Colorado mountains, the brand name "ColoradoCool" and the ColoradoCool logo. This knit is topped off with a dk navy pom, creating a nice symmetry between the solid base and pom with the crazy Colorado Flag pattern in between. If you're like me, this knit is going to keep you warm in just about any condition. I can snowshoe in a knit this thick in pretty cold conditions or just wear it when I'm kickin it throughout the winter. However, if you are like our head of marketing, Erika, this is probably only suitable for hanging out casually during the winter. If you need something for an extended period of time in the cold Colorado winter weather you might want to grab the Cozy. The Cozy has the fleece lining on the inside, providing that warmth in the coldest of temperatures, the CO Flag Carousel knit does not.
The other great knit for this winter incorporating the Colorado Flag is the "Highlight". This knit is a similar thickness to the Carousel and also has a ribbed cuff, but is designed much differently as far as the graphics. The Colorado Flag is highlighted in a black crown using a single stitch technique, which is a unique application for a knit like this. Aside from the Colorado Flag poppin off the crown, this baby is black on black. You can't tell me you don't love that black on black. I mean if my girlfriend's Mom, (a wonderful, sweet woman from a small town in Western Colorado who loves sleeping in and baking cakes) loves black on black enough to keep blacking out her SUVs AND the Notorious BIG (Don't make no sense going to heaven with the goodie-goodies. Dressed in white, I like black Timbs and black hoodies) both love the black on black....then who the hell doesn't? We took that viewpoint on the crown and front logo embroidery for this awesome new winter beanie, then splashed in a little of that ColoradoCool flavor with the Colorado C to finish it off. Trust us, you won't be disappointed with this buy.
Now onto our last cuff beanie, the "Back to Back". You get a whollle lotta bang for your buck with this buy because this beanie is reversible. It is a heather gray on one side of the crown and dark navy on the other. Both sides have the same embroidered graphics as the CO Flag Carousel (Colorado Mountains, the ColoradoCool Logo and the ColoradoCool wordmark), one featuring the Colorado Flag colors and the other reppin' the colors of the Colorado Avalanche. As our owner grew up playing hockey in Colorado, we had to mix that in at some point! (How about the start Mac is off to this year? GETTIN IT!) This beanie is a similar thickness to the first two, great for most folks on a typical winter outing but if you have a tendency to get chilly, might need something with a fleece lining for snowshoeing in Colorado or skiing and snowboarding in Colorado.
For those who do need a little extra something something to stay nice and toasty, "The Cozy" is the warm winter beanie you're looking for. The base crown of this knit is plenty thick on its own..but what really makes this one warm and cozy is the fleece lining. That extra fleece lining is basically the equivalent of sitting in front of a fire with a nice, hot cup of cocoa....no joke! You can't even tell the difference! Not only is this knit unbelievably warm, it is very stylish with white, gray and navy woven into the crown and topped off with a matching fluffy, oversized pom. Of course, we had to hit it with a ColoradoCool graphic as well. We screen printed the ColoradoCool logo in navy onto a semi-reflective silver tag....icing on the cake. We can promise you will be grateful you made this purchase, especially as the coldest stretch of the Colorado winter is upon us.
Last but definitely not least, the San Juan Wrap. This is your standard beanie as far as the body goes, but there is nothing standard about the design. The San Juan mountain range is knit into the crown of this beanie, wrapping all the way around and ending in the back right with the iconic Mt. Sneffels (see product page for backview). The San Juan mountains are black and the top portion of the crown is heather gray, which is always in style. The ColoradoCool logo is embroidered onto the front along with the ColoradoCool wordmark. This knit is great for those who don't need something too thick and is really great if you don't like a cuff interfering with your goggles when you're riding.
We can assure you that you won't be disappointed if you get down on one of these ColoradoCool Knits. We have yet to have a single customer express any disappointment with a purchase...quality is something we take a lot of pride in. See for yourself and buy your perfect winter beanie now!
Cheers and stay warm!
]]>Beautiful colors, elk bugling, cool, crisp mountain air, local coffee and some newly released ColoradoCool beanies....what more can you ask for? One thing nobody asks for, an insane amount of traffic. Certain roads in RMNP were closed Saturday the 22nd of Sept (the day we were up there) because traffic had gotten so bad. So...how do you go about scopin that epic Colorado scenery without dealing with all that? GET UP EARLY. We rolled in Estes Park this morning CoC'd up from the feet up just before daybreak ready to take it all in. The early wake up call was well worth it.
We rolled up towards the entrance of RMNP just as the sun broke onto the landscape. It was just bright enough to see a massive bull struttin' his stuff along with a big herd of females, all looking primed to hit the town. If you have never been to Estes Park during the Elk mating season you totally have to scope it out, it's insane. Bulls are everywhere, either with a herd of females or on their own looking to spit a little game and get their own herd going. They are in town as well as up in the park, just all over the place. Man this first bull we saw...you would have thought he was decked out in ColoradoCool Apparel with all the attention he was getting! He had quite the group of females rolling with him and you could tell he was feelin hisself. Even still, I could tell he was a little jelly of me as we rolled by and he saw my new ColoradoCool Carousel Knit... he's going to be ordering one for sure. Unfortunately, the lighting wasn't quite good enough for great photos yet and we were lookin to make our way up Trail Ridge Road, so we moved on. Can't stay in one place for toooo long in this situation, the crowds are coming!!!
For real though, as bad as this dude looks, imagine him rockin' a ColoradoCool Knit or a Colorado Flag Landmark Bandana around that massive neck....would be epic. If that bull had some ColoradoCool Apparel, it would be game over. We got gear featuring all aspects of Colorado, he was all about it!!
We began the drive up Trail Ridge Road, first making a pitstop at the Hidden Valley parking lot to hit the facilities and to see if any elk were hiding (haha-get it?) in that area. Sure enough, there was a lone bull kickin it up there on his own. While the scene of a single bull grazing isn't quite as intense as a bull mobbin around with a herd of females, its still pretty cool nonetheless. I hopped out, my ColoradoCool Landmark Flag Hoodie (available on the site-limited quantities!!) keepin me just warm enough to turn and run if this loner was grumpy enough to make a charge at me. I was a little worried my Carousel knit would be a little flashy for this guy. Not to be judgy, but he was off brooding on his own and there was a possibility he wouldn't be diggin my vibe.
While I think I was right about the Carousel not being his style, I was all wrong other than that. This bull was mad chill, he just wasn't into the whole macho bugling scene. He was more of a soul mate kind of guy, looking for a bestfriend, which I totally respect. However, I def could see him rockin the newly released San Juan Wrap beanie or maybe even the Highlight beanie. The San Juan Wrap incorporates the San Juan Mountain Range (including the amazing Mt. Sneffels) into a really sweet design, but its not as loud as the Carousel. Being heather gray with black mountains, its a little more subtle for sure. The Highlight Beanie would be a good option for him as well. With the Colorado Flag C single stitched into a blacked out cuff knit, its just a little more subtle but still real tight. Def this dude's style. We hooked him up with a promo code, wished him luck finding the right lucky lady, and we moved on.
The views cruising up Trail Ridge Road were gorgeous. The Aspens' vibrant yellow leaves popping off the landscape beautifully. It reminded me of the Colorado Flag "C" and how epic it looks on all the ColoradoCool products we have incorporated it into, just so sweet. Anyways, the scenery on TrailRidge road is amazing at the worst of times...with these extra colors exploding into the scenery....its straight epic. I think we voiced out loud four or five times how grateful we are to be living in such a cool place with easy access to all this beautiful Colorado scenery.
Trail Ridge Road takes you up above treeline to that Colorado tundra, so obviously there aren't any fall colors to see up there. However, the views are so sweet that we weren't about to turn around once we rose above treeline. We had to keep it ColoradoCool and keep chugging up to Forest Canyon Overlook. Up here your getting up just past 12,000 ft in some areas - Elevation:Totally- and the view of the Rockies seems to go forever. Would HIGHLY suggest getting up here for a sunset during the summer-- insane. One time we spontaneously went up there to watch the sunset after dinner...there was a couple from Michigan up there and a group of people from Africa. This was what they had come across the world to see...we had decided to get up there like an hour and a half earlier....talk about spoiled.
Rockin the "San Juan Wrap" knit up at Forest Canyon Overlook (RMNP)
We had taken in a bunch of amazing sights and were still mobbin out of town around 8:30, able to slip out without getting caught in any traffic at all. Straight surgical sight seeing son. We even had time to stop at Kind Coffee (a nice local spot with a delicious dark roast I thoroughly enjoyed) and say peace out to a few friends before heading down the canyon.
For real, if you've never been to Estes this time of year you really gotta check it out! Trust me, I wouldn't enjoy it with all that traffic either, so just get up early and get after it!! Appreciate you all reading, if you have any questions about the blog, Colorado in general or any ColoradoCool Apparel...don't hesitate to holler at us!
Cheers!!!
]]>If you're looking for a mild/moderate Colorado hike full of beautiful Colorado scenery, keep reading. This hike has some of just about everything but isn't very difficult. The hike up to just Mitchell Lake is really quick/easy, just a mile...then its two more to get up to Blue Lake. I would suggest hitting both as getting up to Blue Lake isn't too difficult and as you can see, behind those sweet ColoradoCool hats, the scenery is well worth a moderate Colorado hike.
Located in the Roosevelt National Forest, Mitchell Lake trailhead is north of Nederland, not difficult to find on Google. We hit this hike on the 4th of July, so it was obviously busy (we have also been up in this area on a Saturday in the winter to snowshoe and it was busy then too, so if you can hit it on a weekday that would be prime, but either way we've always had a great time) Oh also, dogs have to be on a leash, but Raji still had an awesome time.
We got to the parking lot about 6 am and it was almost full, but once on the trail the traffic wasn't too bad. Right off the bat the scenery is great. The weather was gorgeous for us and its so green up there, the colors are so full and vivid - goes great with some dope ColoradoCool Apparel. ;) There is a stream running along the trail with a few log bridges, wildflowers, three lakes, ponds and even some moose roaming around. (We got SO CLOSE to getting a great view of a momma moose and her calf, just barely glimpsed her hind legs as they disappeared behind the trees...such a bummer! We were pretty bummed we had missed the moose until......we scoped a marmot WEARING A COLORADOCOOL HAT!!! NO JOKE! What other local Colorado Apparel companies can say the local marmots are reppin their gear?!?! NONE of them! Ahh man, so epic.
I know what you're thinking....."you guys paid that marmot to wear that ColoradoCool Hat !" I swear, we didn't pay him a dime, that was legit! Ok ok Ill stop bragging...back to the hike.
Like I said, you get a little bit of everything on this hike. Three miles there, three miles back and we would highly suggest giving yourself plenty of time to kick it up at Blue Lake for a bit. There is plenty of space for everyone to spread out and enjoy the fresh air, waterfall and nice clear lake. We spent about four hours in total as we were in no hurry to leave. Would highly suggest checking it out! Make sure to look for the marmot in the ColoradoCool hat! Until next time...Cheers! P.S-Make sure to snag some ColoradoCool Apparel for yourself ASAP...you don't want a whistepig stuntin harder than you, do you?
]]>
If you're looking to hit a Colorado 14er that's not too intense yet still has some awesome views and will make for a great half day, Mt. Democrat is an awesome choice. It is pretty common to hit Mt. Democrat, Mt. Cameron, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Bross all in one as you can traverse from peak to peak without losing too much elevation, but as we had a few more inexperienced hikers in the group last weekend (6/24), we decided to keep it chill and just summit Mt. Democrat. (I know I know....pretty cupcakey cough cough Durant....but it was fun and relaxing) If your out hiking in the Colorado Mountains rockin some dope ColoradoCool Apparel....you're probably gonna have a good time.
If you have an SUV you can roll to the trailhead in, that would be ideal as the road from Alma up to the trailhead is a little bumpy, but it can be done in a sedan without much issue. You might have to park about a half mile down from the trailhead, but seeing how your there to hike up a mountain, hopefully that's not a major issue. You're launch point is going to be at Kite Lake Trailhead (whether your starting with Mt. Bross or Mt. Democrat) as the peaks run alongside eachother, surrounding Kite Lake in a sort of semicircle, and the trailheads come back together at the beginning/end, its pretty awesome. Heads up, if you don't see routes online starting with Bross, its because parts of Bross are private property and your technicialllyyyyy not supposed to hike parts of it, but a lot of people prefer starting with Bross. While on that subject, our Colorado 14er Trucker hat (seen above) blends in very nicely with the landscape, so if you want to live on the edge and hike through some private property, its an ideal piece of gear to have in the arsenal as camouflage.
Looking down at the trailhead, you can see the road coming up from Alma and the peaks rising up on either side, from this view Mt. Democrat on your right and Mt. Bross on your left. The hike up Mt. Democrat starts with a nice walk along the lake with a stream running along the trail, giving you a little time to adjust your awesome ColoradoCool apparel and take in the beautiful Colorado mountains before the uphill trek begins. The nice thing about hitting a Colorado Hike in late June is that there isn't much snow to deal with, on this early summer hike we didn't have any need for our microspikes. After walking along Kite Lake, you hit a pretty decent, steady incline and from then on your rising pretty steadily.
The stretch of trail from the trailhead to the ridge between Cameron and Democrat is well established and easy to follow. Its a beautiful hike that I thoroughly enjoyed while wearing my unbelievably comfortable ColoradoCool Landmark Hoodie and Bandana. Nothing ruins a great hike like some scratchy, cheap, pos clothing....and you'll get none of that rockin ColoradoCool Apparel. Smooth sailin son! Plus...scope those colors...damnn!!! You fall off the side of a mountain or something, your all sorts of jacked up, can't walk, thinking your a goner and BOOM!!! You're crew spots you instantly. RESCUED! All thanks to ColoradoCool Apparel.
The stretch between the ridge between Democrat and Cameron is where things get a little more technical. Saw some folks havin some fun boulderin, but you can walk along the rocks without much issue. The path gets lost a wee bit as it tends to in the bigger rocks, but its not a major issue. This is the most difficult part of the hike, so don't get too bummed when you get to the false summit, the hard work is done. Its an easy stroll from there to the last, short uphill stretch to the summit, you could probably even skip if you wanted to. You know your gonna want some photos up there, so make sure you got some dope ColoradoCool gear so you don't look like a chump in your new profile pic. Enjoy friends....stay ColoradoCool.
]]>]]>
So there's this spot in RMNP where there's three really sweet lakes all within a few miles of each other, it starts at the Bear Lake TrailHead. It is ridiculous how many awesome vantage points there are so close to each other...the problem is its about the farthest thing from a well kept secret. People are literally shuttled in because the large parking lot fills up so quickly and by 9 am its less like hiking and more like Disney World. HOWEVER....if you're willing to get after it nice and early and hit the trail as daylight breaks, you can beat the crowds and it is amazing. One thing that is a bummer is that dogs are not allowed on these busier trails in RMNP. It sucks but when you see how many people flood this area its easy to understand how wild and messy things could get if a lot of people brought their pups.
Bear Lake is the first lake in this area and is pretty cool, but it's so close to the parking lot that it kinda takes away from the feel of it. Also, being somebody who enjoys putting a little work into reaching a spot with some great views, the fact its just a short ways from the parking lot doesn't quite do it for me....its literally a minutes walk from the parking lot. However, its a beautiful lake in and of itself and is only the beginning of what is a hike full of awesome views.
Dream Lake is only 1.1 miles (one way) from the Bear Lake Trailhead, but like I said, in this area you never go very far before you come across another outstanding view. Along the trail to Dream Lake you go through the trees for a bit at first, then it opens up to reveal some really epic views. There is a stretch (seen above) where you can see for miles and seeing the sun break over those mountains is really something. Before long, you'll reach Nympth Lake. This is a cool little lake covered in lily pads and surrounded by trees. We happened to catch an elk kickin' it on the shore, I would say we were lucky but anybody who has been to RMNP knows seeing an elk is not that uncommon. Always cool though.
Not far up from Nymph Lake is Dream Lake, the featured destination. Another benefit of getting here early (aside from beating the crowds) is the reflection of the towering mountains that is cast onto Dream Lake. Glaciers wore down the rock over the years and created some super drastic angles in the rocks above. That combined with the lush green pines which all reflect beautifully off the water make for a really special sight, not a bad spot to kick back and have a little breakfast.
Just a half mile up from Dream Lake is Emerald Lake. Another dope spot with fantastic views. Like the hike from Bear Lake Trailhead to DreamLake, there's an incline but its pretty mellow. By eight or nine o'clock however (in the summer atleast) things start to get more and more crowded and for locals who didn't travel far to get here, its time to get the hell outta dodge.
As I said before, if you are looking for a mild hike and countless opportunities for great views and photos, this is a great spot to hit. The crowds and no dog rules make it a spot we wouldn't come to often during the summer, but its a must see at some point for everyone. Make sure if you come when the weather is nice you get here really early, or its just not gonna be enjoyable. (unless you dont mind crowds). We look forward to packing up the snowshoes this winter and spending a day up here, as the views should be amazing and the tourists non-existent, might even try to sneak the dog up :)
Until next time, keep it ColoradoCool.
Cheers.
]]>
First things first, if you haven’t spent anytime in the San Juans you have done yourself a major disservice and should rectify it ASAP. Everything on the Western Slope is more spread out compared to the east side of the Rockies, there are less people and you are surrounded by mountains, making great outdoor livin' pretty easy to find. The San Juans have a certain aesthetic quality that is different from the Eastern Rockies, a lot of the peaks have these big, jagged rocks on top that just look so tight. Being somebody who always likes to add a little something extra to my designs, I love that extra element. They really make for some cool scenery, almost looking cartoonish at times as they point at these hard angles in all these different directions. Geology has never been my speciality but it's certainly done some great work down there, plenty of must see spots.
Now we got that addressed, onto to our specific destination, the base of Blue Lake Trail on Mt. Sneffels. We dipped down here after stopping by the Black Canyon. Even after those ridiculous views, there was no let down here. The Blue Lake trail is very popular and therefore pretty busy, even in the more secluded San Juans. It might be a little surprising, but the reasons for it being busy are pretty clear. The camping spots near the base of the trail were really great, lots of space with lots of trees providing a lot of privacy. We couldn't see or hear anyone else from our camp spot. We were pretty stoked with our site, however, we did a little more exploring before leaving and found a few spots where you could see the peak of Mt. Sneffels over the trees, which really added a lot to the views. So, if one of those spots are available, try and snag it.
The trailhead is just right up the road from several camp spots and the hike to the lake is about 3.5 miles (to lower Blue Lake). It is a moderately difficult hike for frequent hikers, but you have constant excuses to take breaks. The views of the peak of Mt. Sneffels, the meadows filled with wildflowers, the occasional WhistlePig (Marmot) and waterfall had us constantly stopping and taking in the views, making for a longer hike than expected.
For real though, the 3.5 mile hike did take us longer than we expected. We hike pretty often and it was gorgeous so we saw it as a positive, just something to keep in mind. Still not sure if the trail is mismarked or if we were just stopping that much to soak up the views, but either way give yourself a little cushion if you want to get back to camp before dark. Weather started to move in as we got started up the trail (always pack for weather in the San Juans, it can change quickly) but we knew pushing through a little rain would be well worth it and we were not wrong.
We were rewarded mightily for our perseverance, many people had headed down due to the weather so it was much more open than it would have been. In addition to that, twenty minutes after getting to the Blue Lake it cleared up and became progressively more and more spectacular. We didn’t have to be up there long to understand why a handful of people just hiked their gear up the trail to set up camp as opposed to camping at the trailhead, it is amazing up there. Next time, we're hiking our gear up for sure. To be honest, it was hard not be a little disbelieving as we looked around at the enormous, jagged peaks towering over the lush greens and the vibrant, glowing blue lake while trying to keep in mind we were at over 11,000 feet. I seriously laughed and just shook my head a few times, never seen anything like it.
As it was getting late and we had a fairly young puppy, we did not hike up to the second Blue Lake, but I’m sure it is well worth it. Apparently the color of the bottom blue lake is even cooler from above. It is very easy to understand why so many people hit up this destination. You’re gonna wanna spend awhile enjoying the scenery, so make sure to bring some grub and whatever other treats you might want to enjoy. There is plenty of space up there to kick back and enjoy the views. There are more meadows with wildflowers, space to sit next to the water, lots of nice green trees surrounding one side and big rocks surrounding the other. It wasn't easy walking away from this place, but it was a temporary goodbye....next year when the puppy is older we'll be back to hit both lakes and summit Sneffels.
Cheers.....until next time Sneffels,
ColoradoCool Apparel
]]>First off, I don’t know how this isn’t a better known Colorado destination...its epic. I had heard of it in passing but had no idea how amazing it is. If you are looking for some amazing outdoor Colorado scenery, this should be near the top of the list. Especially if you want to see something very unique. We were cruising from NoCo down to the San Juans and wanted to scope something dope on the way down there... the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was the perfect choice. Now, as I say “National Park”, I know what you’re all thinking, great scenery but way too crowded. I feel you, that’s why we left in the middle of the night and arrived at about 545, just as first daylight hit. This left us about half an hour to find a nice spot to watch that beautiful Colorado sunrise. If you’re game to get in gear nice and early you can have the place to yourself and its well worth it.
The depth of the Black Canyon is insane (deepest point-Warner Point-2,722 feet), with a flowing river at the bottom that echoes through the canyon, clearly audible even at the top. What is awesome about this spot is how unique it is, normally with outdoor Colorado destinations you're looking out on incredible mountain ranges (which never gets old), but to experience looking at something so different was really cool.
Its really cool being able to hear the sound of the river echo up the Black Canyon from so far down, it adds a lot to the feel of the place. The texture of the enormous rock walls is also amazing, definitely inspired some new design ideas. Looking at something so sick reminded me a lot of all the epic designs on so many of the ColoradoCool products...especially the Cliffside tank which features a giant rock wall.
The “painted wall” its particularly epic, with long, thick contrasting lines running throughout the wall. The canyon seems to go forever (total length is 48 miles) and the overlapping rock walls enhance the depth in a really cool way, making for some unbelievable views, I can’t say enough good things about it.
As our primary destination was the San Juans, we didn’t camp at the Black Canyon or hike down, but after scoping it for a few hours we’ve added it to our list of coveted Colorado camping destinations. We started at the south rim and watched the sunrise from there, then drove through the park, stopping at each of the overlook stops. Word of advice, stop at ALL of them. Some of them are so close together that it seems repetitive, but its not at all. The canyon’s walls change depth and vary in texture and shape a lot so each of the overlook pulloffs is different from the next. Some of them have paths that are a few hundred (I think six hundred was the longest) yards, which makes for a nice way to stretch your legs if you don’t have time for a real hike.
We were really stoked that we stopped by the Black Canyon on our way to the San Juans and would recommend it to anyone driving through Colorado looking for an awesome place to take in some cool Colorado scenery!
Anyone who has camped/hiked at the Black Canyon, hit us up on social, we’d love to hear about it and get some tips for our next, longer trip there!
Cheers,
ColoradoCool Apparel
]]>It's always a pleasant surprise when you find a trail right in your own backyard. What defines a trick ass trail you might ask? Well, the trail needs to be stimulating yet grueling. Long rock gardens, sketchy, narrow chutes and just a pinch of flow- usually the combo I seek out to fulfill my endless desire for adrenaline. Luckily for me, the amazing paradise of Horsetooth Reservoir sits right in my backyard and this place is jam packed with the technical trials I love. I, Mikey B., present to you an excellent adventure on the Reservoir Ridge in sunny Fort Collins, CO.
Apparently some people don't get too stoked about slow, technical climbs. On the other hand, those who do will find this trail great for improving balance, line selection and pedal timing. Not every trail will be built with perfect, easily chosen lines. That is why its important to practice on complex trails.Then, when caught in a rigorous situation you'll be ready. Reservoir Ridge is a slow going, very technical single track with an emphasis on pedal timing.
This trail receives terrible reviews for all the wrong reasons. Although it does require lots of balance and multiple rides to find the flow through all the rough terrain, to me it shines as a tough test piece for breakaway riders. Right off the bat the climb begins with a pedal timing sequence that sets the tone for whats to come. Next comes the mid section, here you will encounter long rock gardens with very little room for mistakes, in some sections it is impossible to start back up once you have unclipped. These bits will require flawless balance and powerful pedaling. From there you will come to a left or right split in the trail, take a right and continue up an extremely loose, rocky climb. Be careful here as there will most liekly be a rattlesnake or two hiding on the trail.
Once you reach the top you will be welcomed with an amazing view of the epic, man made, Horsetooth Reservoir. This is a great spot to kick back for a minute and enjoy a "roadie" brewski. After you have soaked up all the views, its time to resume the best part of the trail. The famous ridge includes multiple precarious steps and off-camber sections that will easily throw off your balance if you do not stay on point. There are some sweet off line variations that will take you on a rocky bridge but will quickly set you back on the trail. Hit the flow section and bomb some gnarly rock croppings and take the first left you encounter - shift down quickly as you will be challenged with a steep washed out chute. Now at the top of this climb you will have finally reached the true start of the downhill portion. Jet down the first fast, loose section and take an immediate left. If you're like me you will be screaming down the trail trying your best to carry the momentum you have built. Quickly balance your way through one more tight right turn and haul ass down the trail you have traveled up. From this point, you should reach your vehicle in less than 15 minutes (depending on your ability).
Remember, push yourself and keep your momentum, otherwise you will lock up your front wheel and endo like a loser. Thanks to the helpful hands at Overland bike Club there is a new variation in the middle of the trail, this variation is an amazing change of pace from the overbearing technical mid-section. They built it up with a couple fun drops and a great rocky ridge that will summon a great deal of stability. This is easily my favorite short trail to build power, balance and selection. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!
Cheers!
Mikey B
]]>Labor Day weekend in CO is probably one of the most difficult times to escape crowds. Luckily, Colorado Springs is full of amazing forests. We know wherever there are some badass Ponderosa Pines there are likely some badass trails. Even better, a variety of them are within a few miles of I-25. The local spot we chose was a lengthy, super loose, wild ride. I didn't really expect this trail to take us as far as it did (12 miles), but when it was all said and done, man, you really feel like you have completed one hell of a task, adding a little extra flavor to the beers that follow. I, Mikey, B, present to you - the Limbaugh/ 715 Variation Trail.
While Colorado Springs sometimes gets a bad rap for some sketchiness that may not make it a prime destination for hitting the bars, this area of CO is an absolute gem for anyone who loves to ride.
We first decided to hit the Limbaugh/715 Trail due to the fact the trailhead is only ten minutes off I-25. Anytime we are experimenting with a new trail, we like to look for the best rated and being easy to access is certainly a plus. The dense forest and giant climbs smacked us right in the face when we pulled up tot he Nursery Rd. trailhead. Unfortunately, this is also the trailhead for a very popular hiking trail so the traffic was a bit overwhelming at the beginning. However, like always, the more difficult the trail becomes the less people you will find. We began our ascent up the far right trail and continued taking rights through a flowy, easy to navigate system that eventually dumped us out on a main dirt road. From there we followed the uphill trend until we reached another parking lot where we found a single track trail. This trail was also easy without many obstacles-- a great warm up for what was ahead.
The luring mountain ahead was dawning over me. I gasped for air, realizing I was in for a strenuous climb with an outstanding view as a reward. The trail then led us to a maze, follow the beaten path heading left and up. At the end you will find yourself at another dirt road to ride straight across to start the tough climb.
Limbaugh trail kicked off with oak brushes and small pines and eventually led us into a beautiful, lonesome, wonderful Ponderosa forest.
At the top of the first climb we were gassed but happy to find a winding downhill that put a fat smile on our faces. Then we were hit with another fork in the road. Here we decided to head left up an extremely loose, steep climb. We were welcomed with more amazing views teamed with stream crossings which delighted our puppers! At the very tippy top w relaxed for a few then decided it was time to reward ourselves and slam the trail we just worked so hard to ascend. A little warning before you embark on this fast and furious downhill-- watch your speed as it is very tough slowing down due to all the loose rock-- but of course, do what makes you feel alive.
Once you reach the Nursery Rd. Trailhead you will have earned a nice, big, frosty cold brew while you sigh with relief that one more epic trail has been conquered. Hope you enjoyed the article and I offere you a precursory congrats for completing the ride!!
Come back again for another trail review from yours truly.
Cheers!
Mikey B
]]>Hewlett Gulch is a beautiful back woods trail located just outside Fort Collins, about 30 minutes west in the Poudre Canyon. The scenery in the springtime makes for an absolutely breathtaking experience. The intense smell of columbines flourishing in this area and the refreshing sound of snow melt parades while you gasp for air churning up this challenging trail. Stream crossings vary with the time of year, in the spring you may have to hike your bike across the several slippery crossings of the roaring stream, but most of the time you will be fine to challenge yourself to ride through them. There is an abundant amount of rock gardens located along the trail with no shortage of difficulty. It is a ten-mile loop. For an average weekend warrior, you might have to hike your bike through some steep climbing sections. Luckily this trail has a few expert sections available for those who want to push their ability to the limit.
Usually, I don't pack much water for the doggies because the streams will be running all year long. As for yourself, you will want to pack your normal amount. Like most single track trails in Colorado you may encounter bears and mountain lions, so prepare yourself for a possible mid-trail battle. Personally, I always bring my 9 mm pistol, you are allowed to shoot recreationally 150 yards off the trail with proper knowledge in regards to weapon safety.
Remember to always pack out your trash!!!!!
Keep it "Colorado Cool".
Cheers,
Mikey B
]]>Alright, alright. This is a submission from one of our ColoradoCool Apparel OG's, Nick Gendill. Shout out to our boy Nick for trekking up Uncompahgre, the sixth highest summit in the Rocky Mountains and the highest the San Juan Mountains has to offer. Appreciate the submission brother!
"So it started at about 5:00 in the morning on Saturday, July 23rd when I woke up in the back of my Trailblazer at the Nellie Creek trailhead outside of Lake City, Colorado. Ate a couple granola bars and some jerky, and met up with some other rad hikers at 5:30. From there we drove up 4 miles of a pretty muddy, intense 4WD road... took about 45 minutes to jossle us all awake, and we hit the trail by around 6:30. After pushing through switchbacks for a good solid hour, we approached the base of the base of the peak; it would take us about another hour and half and about 2000 more feet of elevation gain to reach the summit.
After a short class 3 scramble as the trail wraps around the southwest part of the mountain, it leveled out to where the summit was in view... and there were definitely views an exposure! The San Juan mountain range is definitely one of the most lush and unique mountain ranges to hike in. You can get everything from smooth rivers and waterfalls, lush grassy slopes, to gnarly boulders, and extreme crags and arêtes. From the top of the 14309 foot Uncompahgre Peak, I saw roughly another 10 14ers. All together made for a fun adventure, and Lake City isn't too shabby of a mountain town to stop and get a burger and beer afterwards before a long drive back."
Cheers Nick!!! Thanks for the DOPE ColoCool photos and submission!!
]]>
***PLEASE NOTE*** This blog post was written in 2016. Seaman Reservoir is now exclusively available to people fishing and hunting, and the rope swing has been taken down. Huge bummer! Loss of an amazing spot! But, hope the fishing is good!
- - -
For all you ColoradoCool homies out there who don't own a motorboat (props to those who do-holler at us-we should be friends) Seaman's is a kickass place to spend the day. Taking a motorboat out is about the only thing you can't do up there. Its located just north of Fort Collins up the Poudre Canyon. Right off Highway 14 alongside the Poudre River there is a great park area (grass, grills, picnic tables) that you walk through right alongside the river then along the path up to the reservoir.
Once you get up to the reservoir, there is climbing, cliff jumping, hiking, fishing, camping, trail running (if you got the legs)...you name it. Once the water level drops, which is now has, there is a good amount of beach area around the bend. On weekends your guaranteed to find plenty of people puttin a few back and enjoying the water as well as plenty of people camping. There is a lot of space for everyone so while it is popular, it doesn't get too crowded.
There are multiple spots to cliff jump with varying heights. If you look hard enough....you might be lucky enough to find what we consider to be the main attraction of Seamans. But make sure your game, we did witness a chick start to take off, hesitate, kinda just step off instead of getting a good jump and then bounce off some rocks like a damn pinball until she finally (mercifully) reached the water. She was a little banged up but took it like a champ. Not ideal though. Our advice is to approach it like you should everything else in life....if ur gonna go for it, go for it. Or, as our boy Mikey B put it, "Just pretend like you don't have a brain!"
Elevation:Totally.
Cheers. Keep it safe and keep it ColoradoCool.
]]>Alright so we're not gonna pretend like the hike around Colorado's North Catamount Reservoir is some kinda intense journey, but man the location, set right up against Pikes Peak, so dope. This Colorado trail runs all the way around the reservoir, never taking you too far from water. The weather wasn't quite warm enough for us to really enjoy kicking it on beach areas, but come summer time there are countless spots you could post up, kick back and enjoy some recreational activities (6.5 miles of shoreline). No matter where you're at, Pikes Peak is right there towering over you, it's pretty badass. Anytime you can be that close to a Colorado Fourteener, its gonna be pretty sweet.
The trail would also be prime for trail running, there aren't too many rocks and its never too steep. You could really get moving and anytime you need to cool off, the water is never too far. There were a good amount of people on the water getting down on some fishing as well. Since gas powered boats are a no go, other options were utilized. A few fishermen had their canoes, but belly boats looked to be all the rage up at Catamount Reservoir. Dudes snagging some lake trout for dinner, getting a leg work out, catching some rays...crunchy man, so crunchy. Ladies gotta be digging on that goodness. Combine that with some Colorado Cool gear and you're good to go.
If your looking for some dope views, a laid back trail that can take up the good part of a day or a quiet place to fish, this is a legit spot to scope for sure. Keep it ColoradoCool. Cheers.
]]>NY’s Catskill and Adirondack Mountains are dwarfed in comparison to the giants yall have in Colorado, but we still seem to find some great places to climb around. Moderate hikes lead us to some spectacular views.
Originally hailing from the Piedmont of NC, I moved up to NY State 5 years ago to work on an organic vegetable and livestock farm. I’ve just started building living quarters in the woods by the farm, so I can spend more time out in nature.
Even though the beach was my first love, living at the foot of the Catskills has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the mountains. We are always looking for new hikes to try and spots to camp. Nothing beats sitting around a roaring campfire at night.
Finding a couple trees to hang my Eno hammock on is my preferred way to spend afternoons after long hot days on the farm. I’ve found my newest hobby in slacklining. After watching a few videos on primitive setups, I purchased a handful of carabiners, rappel rings and a shit ton of 1” webbing. I love the focus and balance it takes, and I’m down for anything that gets me into the woods and barefoot.
I’ve always hunted through local surf, skate and outdoor shops looking for new clothing, though they are usually packed with those large corporate brands. So I was stoked when my buddy told me about ColoradoCool. Supporting new small companies that are into local living is more my speed. Though the focus is on the epic state of Colorado, the clothing and fresh designs rep the style and lifestyle I value. I can’t wait to see the upcoming artwork yall put out on new gear!
Sending much appreciation from the East Coast,
Crit
]]>After putting in a decent Saturday's work designing some new ColoradoCool Apparel, we couldn't resist getting outside and enjoying some of that bomb springtime weather. The combo of snow and sunshine on Mt. Herman made for some great Colorado hiking conditions and the scenery was EPIC. The view of Pikes Peak from the summit of Mt. Herman is INSANE (see photo). The view to the east looking down on Colorado Springs and Monument aint too shabby either, but lets be real, we're up there to scope those Colorado mountains son. Being that we were down in Northern Colorado Springs for the weekend and the Mt. Herman trailhead is just a little ways north in Monument, the drive to the trailhead was a quick one (about 20 min). This pretty chill 2 mi hike made for a great way to stretch the legs, soak up some rays and enjoy some top shelf Colorado scenery. The hiking trail was covered in snow, but thanks to some fellow peeps living that ColoradoCool lifestyle, we had a nice clear path stomped out for us. The combo of the gorgeous blue skies, icicles still hanging from giant rock formations, and the luscious green pines tipped with bright white snow certainly kept our heads turning and fingers pointing as we made the trek. I think the pooch loved the afternoon more than any of us, having a blast bolting up and down the trail while keeping plenty cool rolling around in that fresh Colorado snow. This hike up Mt. Herman in this beautiful spring weather certainly made for an awesome, laid back, mind clearing, ColoradoCool afternoon, kudos, yet again, to mother nature. Always thankful we have so many great hiking spots right around the corner. Cheers...until next time, keep it ColoradoCool
]]>The Moon and Epinephrine
My legs tremble with each agonizing second I stay pinned in this uncomfortable position. Who knew how much technique climbing chimneys would actually require? Not me, obviously. The pain was beginning to become overwhelming. I glanced between my legs to my over-weight backpack dangling from my harness. "TAKE!!" I couldn't hold stiff any longer. I bounced in the chimney like a ragdoll from side to side catching my chin on a crimp I had clinched only minutes earlier. Fifteen feet of falling in a chimney felt like a lifetime. Finding the courage to continue "Epinephrine" was an absolute struggle.