This Douglas County Open Space, lowland, hike is perfect for those who don’t want to travel and hour to the mountains and/or great for spring and fall when the snow covers mountain trails. Being located fifteen minutes south of Castle Rock, this trail offers a fantastic hike close to home.

Spruce Mountain Trail begins at the trailhead on Spruce Mountain Road Parking lot; follow Spruce Mountain Trail to the upper loop, out to Windy Point and around to the trailhead (you could take the Oak Shortcut to lessen the distance; see map for your favored route).

It’s a good idea to take a map of the park with you because there is no map at the trailhead for direction. Print and take one with you! For the Douglas County Open Space Trail Map, click here.

Spring thaw has begun.

Bridal Veil Falls at the end of the Cow Creek Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park strolls along old McGraw Ranch roads and former riding trails through grassy meadows and rolling hills around the base of Sheep Mtn until it ascends through a thick aspen grove up the rocky cleft where the fall drops creating a picturesque cascade.

Plenty of trails extend from Cow Creek.

This easy to moderate trail is a good hike for families and will only take a little over an hour or two depending on your speed.   Only at the very end when stepping up rock does one need to take caution.  Some of larger rock slabs can be icy and slippery in the non-summer months and you’ll need to take caution at those spots, but otherwise the trail is fairly easy. Be cautious and alert for lightning especially when crossing open areas during thunder storms as well.

The main ranch house from the old McGraw Ranch, now a research center.

History:

The trail head starts at the old McGraw Ranch. The main house and some other buildings date from the 1880’s as part of the original ranch.  John and Irene McGraw purchased the ranch in 1909. Many of the outer bunkhouses date from between 1836 and 1988 when it was run as a guest ranch. The government took it over in 1988 and converted into offices and residence quarters for biological researchers. The National Park Service was going to raze all buildings like they did at Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks but the National Trust for Historic Preservation saved McGraw from similar policies. So if any of you are pursuing careers in biology or forestry, and even history or related social sciences, you might want to look into research opportunities at this prime spot.

Nearby Trails: Other nearby trails in the park you may enjoy include: The North Boundary Trail, Gem Lake, Lawn Lake, Rabbit Ears, Black Canyon, Lumpy Ridge, Balanced Rock

Travel time: About 10 minutes from Estes Park, or 95 minutes from Denver.

Raccoon Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park wanders through groves of pine and spruce as well as aspen stands. Wildflowers and views of the Continental Divide are an added treat. The trail is well traveled and is not a tough climb, but rather a pleasant hike through the forest with a slight gain at Panorama Point.

This easy to moderate loop trail is a good hike for kids and will only take an hour to two depending on your speed. The trail head is at the Reverend’s Ridge campground or you could start at Panorama Point and make the loop from there. Stop for a map of the park to find your way. Other trails in the park you may enjoy: Mountain Lion Trail or Burro Trail

Recommended trail: Begin at parking lot and take the Plymouth Creek Trail to the Meadow Lark trail. The loop has a pleasant elevation gain, trail composition, distance and views.

The Plymouth Creek trail begins by taking you up red, rocky slopes through scrub oak. There are constant views of the huge red rock formations and the “Hogback” layered rocks. Gradually you will pass into pine forests where the trail follows a trickling creek. This area is shady and cool: very pleasant uphill trek.

The Meadow Lark trail branches off of the Plymouth trail on the right taking you up and out of the trees onto a hill covered in scrub oak, yucca plants, and small cactus. As you reach the top of the hill, you will have nice scenic views of the Plymouth Creek trail below, the surrounding foothills, the eastern plains, and Deer Creek Canyon.

When you reach the highest point on this loop trail, there is a small grassy area (possible picnic/resting area). The trail begins to descend on the rim of the canyon, through scrub oak where you may see some deer.

This is a good hike in the foothills – close to Denver, and also good for early spring hiking or late season hiking. Obviously, there is less snow in early spring and in late fall at this elevation. One caution in early spring is mud along ¼ of the trail. Restrooms available at parking lot/trailhead.

Picnic spot recommendations:
There are two recommended sites for a family picnic. If you prefer to eat your lunch out of a backpack, then you will probably want to eat at the top of the Meadow Lark trail in the grassy clearing. From there you have great views of the “Hogback” and Denver. If you prefer to eat your lunch from a cooler, there are several picnic pavilions at the trailhead near the parking area.

This hike is a segment of the Colorado Trail. When you reach Kenosha pass you will need to go to the east side of HWY 285 to park. The trail is located just to the south of the parking lot.
This hike is easy to moderate and offers nice, shady forest, grassy meadows, views of the Rockies and a pleasant climb. The trail is well maintained and heavily traveled. You will enjoy the views over Park County as you gradually ascend this portion of the trail. The wildflowers along the trail vary and are plentiful.

It is a wonderful fall hike – the huge aspen trees tower above the trail in golden colors. It is a pleasant trail that wanders through the forest at a slight uphill grade with wonderful views of the valley looking south toward Fairplay.

We hiked with our kids (all under age 7) for about an hour (approx. 1 mile). This took us to a lookout area with rocks and logs where we had lunch and looked down into the valley and out to the south. It was a beautiful picnic spot.

One thing we noticed was at this time of year, September, there are still a lot of mosquitos and gnats in the area. Be sure to take bug spray with you – it will make your hike a lot more pleasant. Restrooms available at parking lot.

Other hikes in this area you may enjoy Colorado Trail Kenosha Pass to Goldhill segment

Picnic Recommendations: Anywhere along the trail – we like eating where there is a nice view.

Sunny Aspen Trail at Meyer Ranch Park

Colorado Trail - Kenosha Pass to Goldhill

Colorado Trail - Kenosha Pass to Long Gulch

Bierstadt Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Sunny Aspen Trail at Meyer Ranch Park

Alderfer Three Sisters Meadow Trail

Meyer Ranch Park

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)

Alderfer Three Sisters Trail

Castlewood Canyon State Park hosts a number of fun and scenic trails. Begin at the Westside parking lot and trailhead. Start your hike on the Cherry Creek Trail north to the Lucas Homestead site. From there, take the Homestead trail until you meet up with the Creek Bottom Trail where you will go right (you may want to stop and take a look at the water while you are at this intersection- a great place for throwing stones into the water). After that section of the Creek Bottom Trail, you will go right onto the Cherry Creek Trail again back to the parking lot. Grab a map at the trailhead.

The trail offers hiking through scrub oak, small hills, and eventually down into the canyon itself. The canyon walls are covered in trees and lush vegetation, and the bottom of the canyon is covered in huge boulders. It is well maintained and has areas of gradual incline that may cause you to take a few rest stops in the shade of the huge pines.
Restrooms available at trailhead.

Picnic Recommendations:
We enjoyed packing a lunch and eating on the side of the trail once we found a large rock to call our table. There are many such areas along the trail – down near the water is open and there is a lot to see. Or, you may choose to have your picnic at one of the many picnic tables provided at the trailhead.

Note:You may also enjoy: Inner Canyon Trail

If you have ever hiked any section of the Colorado trail you will know that it is a fun experience to be on a trail that winds 468 miles through the beautiful mountains of Colorado with many other hikers.

This section of the trail allows you easy access by car to the trailhead – (most sections have remote trailheads). Not only that, but you will experience some of the most beautiful, spectacular and breathtaking views of the plains, and the Rockies in one place!!

The trail begins just off of Hwy 285 at Kenosha Pass. From there, the trail leads through pine and aspen forest for about 2 miles until it emerges at the edge of an enormous valley overlooking Fairplay and surrounding peaks.

This is a fantastic section of trail to this point and further along the side of the hill that overlooks the great valley. This is a good area to have a snack and then turn around and head out for the parking lot. No Restrooms available at parking lot.

Other trails in this area you may enjoy: Colorado Trail Kenosha Pass to Long Gulch segment

Picnic recommendation:
Once you come over the hill and see the valley and the Rockies in the distance, pick a grassy area or the wooden bench to eat and enjoy the majestic views!