In the beautiful town mountain town of Evergreen lies Bergen Peak at Elk Meadow Open Space Park. This is a popular hike spot for locals as well as vacationers. The trail offers easy access by car, ample parking and a variety of well-maintained trails. The trail that we enjoy with our family (Meadow View Trail connecting with Bergen Peak Trail) slowly ambles up the side of Bergen mountain above the expansive Elk Meadow that you will get glimpses of as you go.

The trail, shaded by huge Ponderosa Pines, offers views of the town below, Denver in the distance, Aspen tree stands, cool and lush ground coverage and the towering Bergen Peak. The climb is long and uphill with switchbacks taking you to the top of Bergen Peak – a hike well worth the effort. The top offers great views.

Some history about the area: Elk Meadow was a ranching area for cattle since the 1870’s and purchased by Jefferson County beginning in the 1970’s. Grab a map at the trailhead to take with you.

Picnic spot recommendations:
After hiking for about 35 minutes from Meadow View Trail and then onto Bergen Peak trail, and just off the side of the trail looking south, there are some beautiful views of the foothills – we like to picnic here. If you would prefer, there are also picnic tables near the parking area. Restrooms available at trailhead.

Chief Mountain Trail is one of the most exciting climbs from parking lot to summit. This is a very popular day hike due to its mountain beauty, convenience to Denver, and its relatively short length to the summit. You are sure to meet many fellow hikers along the way or merely relaxing at the top.

Just off Squaw Pass Road is a small parking area; pullover on the enlarged shoulder and park (mile marker 18). The trail head is on the opposite side of the road up the embankment. The trail is marked with a white stake. The trail gradually winds up through pleasant forest for half the hike up into alpine-like surroundings above tree line. As the trail comes out of the trees, the views of the surrounding mountains to the north and west appear. At the summit are huge granite outcroppings that you can climb for a spectacular 360 degree view of the foothills, valleys, and Rockies to the west!!

Mount Evans is a close neighbor to Chief Mountain and if you look closely, you’ll be able to see cars slowly moving up the Mt. Evans road (the highest paved road in the USA).

The end of the trail, at the top of Chief Mountain is ideal for picnicking with the family. There’s plenty of space to spread your feast – the atmosphere is great too!! Although there are usually many hikers, there is still plenty of space to eat with some privacy.
No restrooms available at trailhead or parking lot.

This loop trail (called The Cliff Loop) goes through pine, aspen forest, and up-over-and-around huge rocky cliffs and then eventually down along the Maxwell Falls.

The falls are really a series of cascades in a beautiful lush, green forest. There is plenty of shade all along the trail. It is well-traveled and maintained. There are many hikers and dogs along the way.

Be careful when you near the end of the loop (above the falls) it is a long way down. (You will see people lounging on the cliffs above the falls). This is a great place to spend a lazy day and/or make it an early evening hike. Weekdays and evenings at Maxwell Falls are not so busy. No restrooms available at the trailhead.

Picnic Spot Recommendations: Pack a picnic and eat on one of the high points of the trail where you can see some views of the surrounding mountains in shades of blue and green trees.

This is one great hike just outside of Denver! It offers a 1.6 mile loop trail that crosses rolling hills covered in tall wavy grass, scrub oak, grazing cows, and rock croppings.

You will amble along the trail just enjoying the scenery around you. Though the interstate is not far off in the distance, once you hit the trail the sound of the traffic becomes a light din in the distance.

Your views are panoramic and include the mountains from Pikes Peak all the way up to Longs Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park and the rolling grasslands towards Parker.

A hint of past endeavors is evident at the trailhead. There are several apples trees that still drop fruit every autumn. The history of this area is very interesting.

“Although the farm buildings no longer stand, remnants of a barnyard and orchard remind us of the dedicated spirit of the early pioneers who came to farm this challenging land. Austrian immigrant Joseph Kroll settled here in 1885 after working the coal mines in Leadville. To develop his ranch he would return each winter to the mines, leaving his wife, Maria, and his children on the ranch. Mrs. Kroll endured this lonely hardship each season, though she was terribly afraid of the bobcats and prairie rattlesnakes living in the area. In 1918 the Krolls sold the ranch and moved to Castle Rock. Later, son Jake Kroll opened ‘Krolls Grocery’ across from the old courthouse” (Division of Open Space and Natural Resources).

This trail is well traveled and is accessible year-round. You can hike it almost any time of year depending on the snowfall. One caution: recently melted snow causes a lot of mud on the trail.

Picnic Recommendations:
Pack a lunch and blanket to sit on top of one of the rolling hills to eat.
Port-o-potty available at parking lot.

Grab a park map at the parking lot or trailhead.
For an easy trail choose Lodgepole Loop trail (approx. 2.5 mile hike roundtrip from parking lot).
For a more challenging hike, follow Owl’s Perch trail until you get to the Lodge Pole Loop trail, go left on Lodge Pole, go left on the Sunny Aspen Trail and then left on Old Ski Run trail – this loop will take you up and around the top of the mountain and back down again (Elevation gain. 375 ft. Approx. 4.8 mile hike round trip from parking lot).

This series of trails begin in the grassy meadow, through pine forest and Aspen trees, up to glimpses of the Rocky Mountains and back down to the meadow and the parking area near Hwy 285. Wildflowers bloom in the meadow throughout the summer and the trees provide a pleasant shady hike. Look for the yellow Heart Shaped Arnica flower that grows alongside the trail in the forested section.

If you want a good clear view of the mountains to the west, you can climb the rock outcrop at the top or just stop and admire the site from one of the lookout areas. This is a beautiful day hike area in lush green valley that was once ranchland. Bring a camera for this one! Restrooms available at trailhead.

Picnic Recommendations: Picnic tables are available on Owl’s Perch Trail. Another scenic picnic area is about 1 ½ mile up the trail where there is a picnic pavilion overlooking the valley below and the hills across the valley. We like to eat at the top of the mountain where there is a large rock area (it is a few yards off the trail, but it offers a great view through the trees).

This is a very popular hike that will lead you to some of the most breathtaking scenery around!

From the parking lot you will hike about ½ mile up a gentle slope. This trail is heavily used and it is rugged because it follows a glacial boulder field. You will wind your way in and around these rocks for about 20 minutes until you reach the glacial lake and the ice field itself (St. Mary’s glacier is actually not a glacier, but an ice field).

Spectacular views! The trail ends here, but there are many little trails that will take you around the water, and/or up to the snow itself.

Plan to take your camera, your picnic and maybe even a sled if you are daring enough to try out the snow. Also plan to spend a good 30 minutes wandering around the area just enjoying the valley, the water, and the beauty.

Picnic Site Recommendations:
Take your lunch and eat at the lake. There are many places to spread your meal and enjoy the crisp cool air.

Note: There is now ample parking, with two parking lots close to the trail head. Porta potties are there as well as dog waste bag dispenser, trash & recycle cans, and the only year round maintained legal parking for the area. DON’T PARK ON THE ROAD! You will get a $62.50 ticket so $5 parking is worth it! The charge is $5 per vehicle, per day. Cash and checks only (they no longer accept credit cards).

A nice easy loop hike at the Lair O’ the Bear Park starts at the parking lot and follows the Bear Creek Trail west, then go left over the bridge to Castor Cutoff Trail to Bruin Bluff Trail, and then go left over the Ouzel bridge to Bear Creek Trail again. Grab a map at the parking lot for a personal trail map.

This loop trail follows Bear Creek under huge cottonwood trees to a wood planked bridge.

It is a pleasant hike, shaded in areas, slightly uphill through pine trees along the side of a grassy meadow with views of the canyon and the creek. It is a good loop trail within the park where you can experience a little bit of the various micro climates of the park (creek, pine forest, canyon views, grassy meadow).

For a more challenging hike, you may like the Bruin Bluff Trail that moves up over the top of the hill/side of the canyon (1.9 miles loop trail).

One thing to keep in mind is that this park is very crowded on weekends so come on a weekday or early morning to avoid crowds. There are picnic pavillions and grills available along the creekside too.

Burro Trail is in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. It is one of the more challenging hikes in the park and is just a 30 minute drive from Golden and west Denver. This is a favorite hike leading to ‘Windy Peak’ where you have great 360 degree views of the mountains and the park below.

Burro Trail has areas of pines, small meadows with aspens, wildflowers and rock outcrops at ‘Windy Peak’. There are also areas where the trail is rugged with rocks and fairly steep. It’s good to wear sturdy hiking shoes and plan for some places where the trail has loose dirt and rock. The trailhead is located at Bridge Creek – grab a map at the park entrance for reference.

You may also be interested in Raccoon Trail or Mountain Lion Trail - both in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Picnic Spot Recommendations:
We enjoy eating lunch up at Windy Peak or at one of the picnic grounds within the park (there are many).

The trail begins by passing through several large Aspen stands that are quite beautiful; especially in autumn. The hike continues to wind its way up through Evergreen forest and around huge granite boulders. Through the breaks in the trees you will be able to catch several glimpses of the Eastern plains. The trail is well established and well maintained. It is a popular hike site and sees a lot of traffic. Young children will need to make several rest stops – there is much to see along the trail.

The staircase up to the fire tower is steep and not for the faint of heart. You will need to be cautious climbing these steps.

The trail ends atop a massive granite outcrop where there is a fire tower lookout. It is the last operating fire lookout on the Front Range. It can be reached by climbing the stairway up the last 200 ft. from the trail. From the tower you will have a full 360 degree view of the Rockies and the eastern plains. Absolutely breathtaking!!

The station is manned during the summer months. Kids really enjoy climbing the tower and seeing the ranger at work in his/her post. It is one office that literally sits on top of the world. This is a busy area. It is good to arrive early to avoid crowds and the frequent afternoon storms Colorado produces.

Restrooms are available at parking lot/trailhead. Picnic spot recommendation:The ideal picnic site for this hike is at the end of the trail (on top of the mountain) at the base of the stairway that leads to the fire tower. There is a picnic table and a pleasant grassy area with huge pine trees – ideal for resting or even a good game of Frisbee.