l am planning a climbing/ backpacking trip early aug but cant decide where to go l could use some ideas
Thanks
looking for more routes climbs

l have always wanted to climb Longs Peak - mostly because it is a famous peak and is one of the many 14,000 ft peaks in Colorado. It is not a particually difficult climb, but you did not say how hard you wanted the climb to be.

This link has an interesting description and some good pix:

http://home.earthlink.net/~vanderbrook/longs-narr.html

Good Luck

Snowmass Lake/Mt.
I'd backpack into Snowmass lake, it is an incredibly beautiful area, & of all the backpacking I've done in CO this was one of my favorite trips.

We spent two nights at Snowmass lake the trip looked like this:
Day 1- Hike into Snowmass lake (the trailhead is very close to the back of the Snowmass ski area). We used the Snowmass Creek Trailhead. The hike in was not too long, with only about 2000 vertical gain. The rest of the day we kind of hung out around the lake & swam as it was a beautiful hot day.
Day 2- Big Hike-over Buckskin Pass & back. Breathtaking scenery. over to the Maroon bells. LONG DAY of hiking but totally worth it when arriving at the Maroon Bells feeling way tougher than all the other tourists.
Day 3- Summited the 14er & Hiked all the way out.

Other options in the area: Hagerman Mt. (13er)

We had a pretty hardcore hiking trip but no mater what u do Snowmass lake is an awesome place to hang out at for a few days. I'd get the topo. which l think is actually USGS Snowmass (if not that it is covered in Maroon Bells).

well r u into routes or boulders cuz california and nevada r great for tough boulders but colorado has got some nice climbs 2

Where are you flying/driving into? The Denver airport is way out east. If you are flying it would be smarter to fly into Colorado Springs and hit the southern mountains, such as Pikes Peak, you can rope climb the Graigs, or hike the long way up via Barr Trail. Please let me know so l can give you some more info!!

l cant help u much on backpacking.
but l am an avid hiker/mtn climber.
most of my climbs r in the aspen/pitkin county vicinity.
mt elbert, colorado is highest mtn isnt a bad climb.
its a dayhike. l think its about 5 miles round trip. technicality wise, its really easy. just regular hiking, no ropes, no boulders, just trail. it took us about 7 hours total. its located right near leadville.

another fourteener is mt massive. its right next to mt elbert near leadville. its the second tallest mtn in colorado. this is more strenous than elbert but does not require any technical ability. its a much longer hike, taking us about 10-11 hours. im not sure about the length.

for both hikes, actually for any fourteeners, be prepared. start early & end early. the weather can change very drastically & very quickly. use sunscreen bring water. if severe weather comes, get below the treeline.

used to live in northern CO and l remember going into the Boulder area maybe?? Flatirons ring a bell, but l can not remember if that was where l went in Boulder or not. anyways, Flatirons, l remember seeing a lot of people climbing the walls there, a lot of sport routes. Long is peak is definately worth the effort.

Are u looking for trad or sport routes?? What level climber r you? l live in Vail, CO now & am a huge rock climber/camper fan. There is a bunch of places near me, then there is a bunch in Steamboat, & then u can also find some in Gunnison. Colorado is just full of awesome areas, u really can not go wrong. My favoite place to go, though is called Penitente Canyon near Salida. It can be busy sometimes so finding a place to camp can be tough, but there r a ton of routes for all levels & it is absolutely beautiful! Let me know if u need more specifics! Have fun! Perhaps l will see u out here?