2023-12-08 08:49:25
When Nelson Holland moved to Colorado and saw the picture-perfect beauty of the state, it was a life-altering moment for the Brooklynite. Not only was he introduced to a new, lifelong passion, he started on the path to becoming an outdoors-focused social-media influencer — and a featured guest for Colorado Tourism Office’s Do Colorado Right campaign. “Once I saw the Rocky Mountains, it unlocked a bunch of new things for me,” Holland said. “There was this bison spot at Rocky Mountain Arsenal [National Wildlife Refuge] with 200 bison 15 minutes away from where I used to live in Thornton, and I started going over there because I wasn’t really a nature person in the same way in New York.” That was 10 years ago, and Holland said those early visits to Rocky Mountain Arsenal kicked off a decade of outdoor discovery. Since then, he’s explored Colorado’s vast landscape, seeking big views and glimpses of the local wildlife — keeping Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles, like Keep Wildlife Wild, in mind. He’s shared his adventures along the way, too, collecting a bounty of likes and followers on his Instagram and TikTok platforms, @fatblackandgettinit. There, he works to encourage others to explore the great outdoors, while elevating the importance of representation and inclusion. “There are people like me that don’t look like the traditional hiker,” he said. “There are people that are plus sized that take more time. There are people that need poles. We should really be inclusive of everybody getting out there. There’s a trail for everybody as long as [people are] respectful of everybody else.” For Holland, heading out for a hike — either solo or with a group — means he’s seeking towering panoramas, endless wildlife and restorative moments found only in nature. It’s essentially his special time to recharge and take in the tranquil landscape around him. “It was always about seeing the views,” he explained, “but then I saw woodpeckers and moose and things that I had never seen while I was taking these journeys. So, then I became a wildlife lover.” When Holland is outside, especially early in the morning when he has a trail all to himself, his favorite wildlife sightings — done from a safe distance — include elk, bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, osprey, red-wing blackbirds, Steller’s jays, beavers and mountain goats. Basically everything. “I’m a moose-aholic,” he added. Living in Colorado’s Front Range doesn’t limit his access to beautiful places in the state, either. A quick ride in the car from Denver lets Holland reach shady forest trails, rushing streams, alpine lakes and all of his favorite summer destinations. NELSON HOLLAND’S Top 5 Colorado Trails Mount Crested Butte Crested Butte Trek up Crested Butte Mountain Resort by foot from the base area to a vast network of trails, or ride the chairlift up for a shorter hike, since you’ll just be going down. No matter your method for reaching the top, you’re in for startling mountain vistas swathed in green grasses and blooms — and marmot sightings, too. “It’s a great way to get up above 12,000 feet,” Holland said of the summer chairlift offerings, adding that there’s an element of safety for newcomers to the outdoors, who are still out there building confidence, given the trail network is part of the resort. Mount Sniktau near Dillon More than once, Holland mentioned this easy-to-access thirteener. The nearly 4-mile, round-trip hike can be tackled all year (yes, you can do it with snowshoes!), and even the trailhead is high up — 11,990 feet to be exact. As far as thirteeners go, it’s a shorter hike to the summit with a less-intense (but still challenging) elevation gain of 1,555 feet. “It’s just about the easiest thirteener you could do,” he said. “I think I might like thirteeners more than fourteeners, not just because they’re less crowded but because the backdrop is a fourteener right next to it. … You get to the top, and I can’t think of anything more beautiful.” According to him, hikers should watch for Torreys Peak while hiking Sniktau’s marked trail. It’s one of those neighboring fourteeners — peaks that are more than 14,000 feet — that reminds him of the Swiss Alps, especially during winter and early spring. Bear Peak near Boulder Bear Peak is a “butt-buster,” according to Holland. Come for toothy mountain views, wildflower-strewn meadows and rushing water sounds from Boulder Creek. Expect a bevy of wildlife-viewing opportunities, too, from curious deer to a rainbow of birds and an occasional bear, with steep switchbacks at the top. The loop clocks in at just over 8 miles. “It’s a super beautiful hike the whole way through, but once you get to the top you have views that you probably didn’t think you could see from the Front Range,” he said. “You can see all of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and an amazing view of Longs Peak.” Deer Mountain near Estes Park This moderate-rated Rocky Mountain National Park trail is just over 6 miles round-trip and tops 10,000 feet. He loves it for its fluttering aspens and numerous wildlife-spotting opportunities, including some of his Colorado favorites — moose and elk. “Estes Park might be my favorite place in the world,” he said. “On that hike specifically, you get amazing views of the Continental Divide, and it has this part — looking back in — where you can see the [town of Estes Park].” S-Mountain Salida Walk north of downtown Salida for a panoramic dirt road meandering up S-Mountain, also known as Tenderfoot. Head along Spiral Drive to the mountaintop to see grand views of the town or wander onto a connecting trail for a rocky challenge. “Salida has beautiful weather year-round, so it can be sunnier there than it is in Denver; and it’s really accessible, too,” he said. “It’s 3 miles, 500 feet or so elevation gain, and the views are amazing. So, it’s a hike that everyone can do.” Special Mention Manitou Incline Manitou Springs Holland describes his relationship with the Manitou Incline as “love-hate” due to the challenging nature of the steep outdoor stair climb, but the scenery alone makes it worth it. He suggests getting there as early as the reservation system allows — which is 6 a.m. — for a strenuous climb up 2,744 stairs while basking in the sunrise afterglow. If you’re planning a visit to Colorado, are new to outdoors exploration and don’t know where to start, he suggests checking out his @fatblackandgettinit accounts on Instagram and TikTok or even reaching out in a DM. “There’s a hike for everybody out here in Colorado,” he added. KEEP WILDLIFE WILD To help keep wildlife — and you — safe, make sure to keep your distance. And if you’re ever unsure, follow the rule of thumb: If you can cover the entire animal with your thumb, with your arm stretched out in front of you, you’re at a safe distance. Learn more at Colorado.com/Wildlife. HIKING ESSENTIALS Plan ahead, stick to the trail, toss your trash, stay hydrated and more when you’re exploring along the state’s many scenic paths. Colorado.com/ColoradoHikingEssentials Follow Nelson Holland’s Colorado hiking adventures on TikTok and Instagram: @fatblackandgettinit
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