FunColoradoHikes Blog

Time is here to snowshoe on the trails.

Here is a great one that is a huge blanket of snow in winter with views of the evergreens and Bergen Mountain.

Not too far from Denver either. Just get off I-70 at Evergreen Parkway and go into Evergreen about 3 miles. Elk Meadow is on the left and you can park at Lewis Ridge Rd. (just turn right at the stoplight - look for the brown park signs).

Elk Meadow

Posted by funhikes under Hikes, Hikes Near Denver, Hiking Trails, Snowshoeing
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We have had winter weather these past few weeks which has cut most people’s hiking season short. There are still a lot of hikes closer to Denver and Colorado Springs that don’t take you too far into the mountains.

We like to hike Devil’s Head trail (although cold at the tower) and Red Rocks Canyon Loop Trail (2.25 miles) in Colorado Springs.

Fall is a great time to get in some lowland hikes before the winter really sets in. There are still golden leaves on the trees too!

Posted by funhikes under Hikes, Hikes Near Colorado Springs, Hikes Near Denver, Hiking Trails
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Horsetooth Mountain Open Space outside of Fort Collins is a good place for families to hike. We take the Horsetooth Falls trail. It’s a 2.25 mile hike (round trip) that leads to some falls, rocks for scrambling on and a small/cave overhang. The falls does slow down to a trickle in late summer/fall. The trail has lots of fun ups and downs and crosses a creek.

Park Trail Map

Posted by funhikes under Hikes, Hiking Trails
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Aspen Trees are the only trees in the Colorado Mountains that offer autumn color. These seasonal colors only last for about 3 weeks in September.

When we want to hike a trail that has some wonderful fall color, we like the following trails among others:

Kenosha Pass - West side (toward Goldhill segment of Colorado trail)

Kenosha Pass - East side (toward Long Gulch segment of Colorado trail)

Bierstadt Lake Trail (Rocky Mountain National Park)

Burning Bear Trail (East Entry)

Meyer Ranch Park

Posted by funhikes under Hikes, Hikes Near Denver, Hiking Trails, Rocky Mountain National Park Recommended Hikes
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This was a great hike that we have done a couple of times.  It is refreshing because of the cascades and the shady trails.

It is nice to get out for a hike that is a short drive from Denver.

This is a popular spot, so we recommend going early on the weekend or go on a weekday. Click for details Cliff Loop Trail at Maxwell Falls.

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Take a hike in one of Colorado’s Sate parks.  It’s their 50th anniversary.  Admission is free to all of Colorado’s State parks this Monday August 3rd 2009.

Some of our favorite state park hikes:

Mountain Lion Trail - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Burro Trail - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Rim Rock Trail - Castlewood Canyon State Park

Colorado Parks 50th Anniversary

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Just like Burro Trail, the Mountain Lion trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is challenging and a little bit longer. The trail will take y

ou in a 6.7 mile loop that moves through small meadow, aspen stands, up hills, through pine tree stands and past “Forgotten Valley” wilderness campground. You may also take a jaunt out to “Windy Peak” lookout.

This is one of the park’s longer trails, so start early, take your lunch, wear your boots and enjoy a great hike. Grab a park map and start this trail at the Nott Creek trailhead.

Golden Gate State Park is 30 minutes drive west of Denver. There is a park fee and a visitor center for info and unique wildlife displays.

Scenic views from Golden Gate

Posted by funhikes under Hikes, Hikes Near Denver, Hiking Trails
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A more challenging hike for the family is Burro Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The park is just a 30 min drive from Golden and west Denver.

This is a favorite hike leading to ‘Windy Peak’ where you have great views of the mountains and the park below. This loop is 4.5 miles round trip so be sure to:

1) take your lunch

2) start in the morning to avoid afternoon thunderstorms

3) wear your boots (some areas are steep with rocks and slippery dirt).

Trail has areas of  pines, small meadows with aspens and wildflowers and rock outcrops at ‘Windy Peak’.

Posted by funhikes under Hikes, Hikes Near Denver, Hiking Trails
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One of my favorite hikes is Burning Bear Trail.  It is only about an hour’s scenic drive from Denver!

If you need more ideas for hiking near Denver or if you want to try a new trail, check Jefferson County Open Space website. It’s great for finding trails and maps.

Boys Hiking in Colorado

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Trail Through Snowfield on Sherman (Photo July 2005)

Wanted to hike Mt Sherman with my two sons this weekend (Father’s Day, June 21). I posted on fourteeners.com and summitpost.com to ask about conditions up there.  I got a response and found out that there is still a significant amount of snow up there - we don’t have the gear for hiking through snow, so we’ll try that fourteener in August!

Posted by funhikes under Around Colorado, Hikes, Hiking Trails
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