Idaho Springs, Colorado

Once you're parked, you can choose to ride this trail either counterclockwise or clockwise. My personal recommendation is CCW, which entails you head up the steep paved road on the east-southeast corner of the parking lot first. The climb is about 10 minutes of grunt work and then on to flat grou...

Starting at 9,220 feet of elevation, this 5 mile out-and-back snowshoe begins its 965 foot elevation gain meandering through a quiet forest. The trail will take you through the woods for a few miles, and you can turn around whenever you like. If you're up for a challenge and have a lot of time, y...

Corona Lake is an easy, short hike if you're pressed for time. It's scenic, secluded, and will put you in a great spot to hike to Devils Thumb the next day. There are two ways to reach Devils Thumb. This is considered the "easier" route because of the "lack of elevation gain." The sun and wind re...

At about an hour's drive from Denver, Grays Peak (14,270 ft./4338m) and its sister mountain, Torreys Peak (14,267 ft./4337m), are two of the most popular 14ers in the state. Because of this, a wealth of information is available on the internet. Rather than go into all the details of the technical...

The start of this route up the Kelso Ridge is the same as doing the standard route of Gray's and Torrey's peaks. From the trailhead cross the large metal bridge and continue on the great trail as it slowly climbs away from the parking lot and trailhead. This first section is not steep, but prov...

The first challenge you'll face on your way to the summit of Gray's peak is Steven's Gulch Road. My Corolla rolled up to the start of what I’ve seen described as a “4x4 road that should probably not be attempted in a low clearance vehicle”. But what the heck, it was late, and I didn't feel like w...

Argos Trail & Magic Mountain Trail Loop is a scenic loop that's great for stretching your legs in Apex Park near Golden Colorado. This trail is fun for the family (baby carrier needed for families with newborns) and for your pup (on-leash). NOTEOdd days of the month (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) are...

Want to see a rainbow? Possibly some coyotes or other Colorado wildlife?This hike is full of twists and turns, mostly involving the trail, but also in surprises along the way.Drive into downtown Golden (grab some food if you're hungry) and then park at the base of the Golden Summit trail. Startin...

Just a short drive from Denver up US-285 sits Mount Falcon Park, a 2,248 acre open space park managed by Jefferson County. With over 12 miles of hiking trails and stunning views of Denver and the Front Range, this park is perfect for getting in a quick adventure when you don’t feel like driving t...

The Caribou Ranch Open Space is about two miles north of the town of Nederland. From Nederland, at the town’s roundabout, head west on CO 72 for about two miles. Turn left onto CO 126 at the sign for Caribou Ranch Open Space. Follow the dirt road for about .8 miles until you see the large parking...

Start at the trailhead located at 1103 County Hwy. 93 and enjoy a little warm up time by the creek that winds past wild plum, chokecherry, and willow trees. Matthews-Winters Park is filled with red rock formations that make for amazing scenery. It also has the remnants of a historic cemetery. The...

Matthews/Winters Park, which is part of the Jefferson County Open Space system, is proof that you do not have to go far from the city to enjoy the mountains. Nestled in the foothills between Golden and Morrison just off I-70 and C-470, Matthews/Winters is easy to access from Denver and any of the...

When it comes to hiking trails in Boulder, the standard response usually consists of either Chautauqua Park or Mt. Sanitas, and while both offer excellent hiking options, they are both usually jam packed on the weekends. If you’re looking to stay close to the city, but want a little more seclusio...

While this is a 6 mile hike, it is relatively easy to add mileage to it and tailor it to fit your needs. Instead of simply doing the Red Rocks Trail/Morrison Slide loop, you can head all the way to the Village Walk trail in Matthews-Winters. You can also park along Red Rocks Trail Road and elimin...

Red Rocks is a bustling park in the summer when its famous amphitheater is filled with concerts. In winter though, the park dies down and becomes even more quiet when snow is falling. Grab your camera and head to the park during a winter storm to truly enjoy the beautiful red sandstone formations...

The hiking trail starts at the parking lot located across from the Dinosaur Ridge Discovery center (which you should totally go check out!). Once you park you will follow the gated and paved Alameda Parkway towards the ridge. Along the way there will be several sites on the left until you reach t...