FunColoradoHikes Blog

Fun Colorado Hikes Website has a list of lot of hiking trails that are great for anyone! As time goes on and we discover more good trails, we frequently list them here in the blog before they appear on the main site. So check back here for new hikes, and please, leave a comment or a hike recommendation. Hidden within the blog are: Mt. Falcon Park, Burning Bear Creek Trail west entry, Hell’s Hole Trail, Herman Gulch Trail . . .

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Hell’s Hole is a hiking trail #53 that begins at the Chicago Creek Campground (west of Idaho Springs).  The trail travels about 4 1/2 miles in to the base of Gray Wolf Mountain – a place called Hell’s Hole.  But this is a misnomer – the area is gorgeous! With an open alpine meadow and small creek surrounded by high peaks, this place is worth the hike!

The trail goes through aspen stands, and pine forest. It is mostly an uphill climb and will take you a better part of the day to hike in and back out again. We had a picnic at the end of the trail (in Hell’s Hole) and just spent time taking in the beauty. -photo soon to follow. Post hike meal – don’t miss Idaho Springs’ famous Beau Jo’s Pizza!!

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July 4th weekend we made it up Chief Mountain once again. This trail never gets old. Spectacular views never go out of style and the trip is always a different experience.

This time, we took another family with us to show them some of the mountain beauty 40 minutes outside Denver. Sharing a hike day with friends is a great way to connect. Our crew had 5 kids altogether and they did great! Feels good to have them all get some good exercise and they really go for those tiny candy bars in our picnic lunch (you know, the ones you see every Halloween) . Love those treats for the trail!

Photo: Old Squaw Pass Road Elk Meadow Barn

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Herman Gulch Trail (TR 98) is a popular 2.5 mile hike just off I-70 before reaching Loveland Ski Area Exit 218.

The trail is an uphill climb the whole way, but a great workout for anyone.  Starts in woods on old jeep trail then moves above treeline. Would not recommend it for kids less than 7 years old.

The view from the top is fabulous! With Herman Lake and the Continental Divide at your back, it is a crisp and refreshing hike. The tundra has subalpine flowers; take a close look because they grow low to the ground – tiny white and yellow flowers. And tread with care over the area.

Look into our section for extreme hikes and you will find recommendations for some really good trails – Coming summer 2008!

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(photo: family on top of Chief Mountain)

Having family or friends visit this summer? Do you want to show them some of Colorado’s famous beauty? These are the best hikes for the occasion – we know from experience. They offer great views, easy or moderate hiking, and a fun day out in the mountains!

Chief Mountain (1 hour hike to top – uphill)

Rosalie/Mt. Bierstadt (scenic 1 hour drive from Denver – Rosalie is short and sweet)

Alderfer Three Sisters (really good hike for elderly hikers and young children)

See the main Fun Colorado Hikes website for more great hikes!

(photo: Alderfer Three Sisters hike in autumn)

Posted by funhikes under Around Colorado,Family Hiking Tips,Hikes,Hikes Near Denver,Hiking Trails
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Trails, trails, everywhere!  Look at the mainsite here for the answers that many people have like: Which trails are best?  Which ones are closer to Denver? Where are the great scenic views? Which hikes are good for avid hikers and those who are occasional hikers?

It doesn’t get any better than this!

(Photo: Sunset over Mt. Evans)

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Do you love Colorado wildlife? Well, if you do, get out on the trail and you are sure to see something that catches your eye whether it is white tail deer, coyote, elk. Some of the more rare creatures that are only found in specific areas of Colorado are: Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep, moose, and mountain goats. It is a thrill to see them while hiking.

Several hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are areas where moose have been spotted. The trail where we saw a moose is called: Bierstadt Lake trail. 

 For a glimpse of Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep, try these trails: Mt. Bierstadt, Rosalie Trail, Square Tops (coming soon), Silver Dollar Lake Trail.

 If you want to see some mountain goats, you can visit the Mt. Evans Highway and Summit Lake or Mt. Bierstadt and Guanella pass areas. (In the center of the photo below there are two shaggy, white, mountain goats among the rocks at the summit of Mt. Evans – look closely).

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There are so many hiking trails on the map and you wonder, “Which one is good for me and my family; especially the kids?”

Fun Colorado Hikes offers many such hikes that have been tested with small children and deemed as some of the best trails on the Front Range! 

Also check the other posts in this blog for easy day hikes 30 minutes from Denver and others that are deeper in the mountains 60 minutes from Denver. They are really fun hikes for kids and the whole family!
Plan ahead: three or four days in advance of your hike day, tell your family which hike you plan on going to. The anticipation of the event is half the fun. Explain where you will go and what you might see. Get the imaginations going! And don’t forget to plan a treat after the hike (pizza or icecream stop on the way home is a great way to end the day).

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A 60 minute drive from Denver will put you in the heart of the mountains where there are plenty of hikes with great views. See the list below for trail details, or visit Fun Colorado Hikes website for a lot more trails.

If you are looking for hikes closer to home see the previous post.

Chief Mountain

Silver Dollar Lake

Mt Evans State Wildlife Area and Elk Reserve

St. Mary’s Glacier

Maxwell Falls

Burning Bear

Pine Valley Ranch

Three Mile Creek

Colorado Trail Kenosha Pass

Devil’s Head National Recreation Trail

Mountain Lion Trail (Golden Gate Canyon State Park)

Devil’s Hole

Burro Trail (Golden Gate Canyon State Park)

Raccoon Trail (golden Gate Canyon State Park)

Herman Gulch Trail

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We hiked sections of both Rawhide and Longhorn Trails at  White Ranch Open Space Park during mid summer with our 4 kids (the youngest being 4 months old). The great thing about this area is that it is just outside of Golden in the foothills. The rolling grassy meadows were beautiful at this time of year with so many different colors of grasses. And what great views of the valley!

The park is large! It has nice picnic areas with tables and covered pavillions a good distance from the parking lot.

There are plenty of trails to chose from – short or long, this park has it. Despite mountain lion sitings in past years, we hiked and kept the kids in the “hiking sandwich”. That’s our term for staying in a tight group with Dad in front, kids in the middle, and Mom with a big pack bringing up the rear. It’s the safest way we know to keep our kids from being vulnerable on the trail. Living with wildlife is a reality, take precautions and know what to do if you encounter any. [Make yourself as large as possible with your arms, clothing and packs, don't let kids run ahead or lag behind the group, never turn and run, make noise, avoid hiking in early morning or evening (hunting hours)].

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips,Hikes Near Denver,Hiking Trails,Rocky Mountain National Park Recommended Hikes,Wildlife
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