***Please note that The Colorado Hiker is no longer being updated. For current information on this trail and other Colorado tips, please visit Nomad Colorado. You can find specific information on this trail by visiting the Mallory Cave Hike page on Nomad Colorado.*** Trailhead: NCAR Trailhead (National Center for Atmospheric Research) Activities: Hiking, Birding Closest City / Town: Boulder, Colorado Driving Directions: From US-36, take the Table Mesa Drive exit and head west (left at the first traffic light). Continue on Table Mesa Drive as it climbs up the side of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Table Mesa Drive will eventually dead end into the NCAR parking lot. Distance: 2.2 miles (roundtrip) Description: Like most of the hikes in the immediate Boulder area, hikers can make the trip up to Mallory Cave just about anytime during the year. The hike takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, and you’ll gain approximately 1,000′ in elevation. Start out from NCAR on the Walter Orr Roberts Interpretive Trail. The trail will eventually rollercoaster down towards the Mesa Trail. After approximately .5 miles, take a left onto the Mesa Trail. Next, take an immediate right (west) onto the Mallory Cave Trail, which is clearly marked by City […]
South Boulder Peak Trailhead: South Mesa Trailhead Activities: Hiking Closest City / Town: Boulder, Colorado Directions to South Mesa Trailhead: Take Highway 93 south out of Boulder. Hang a right onto Highway 170 (towards Eldorado Springs). After 1.8 miles, you will see the South Mesa Trailhead on the right-hand side of the highway. There is ample parking and a restroom at the trailhead. Note: Please go the speed limit on highway 170. You’ll encounter many bikers and children on this drive. Hiking Distance: 7 miles (roundtrip) Description: Hiking up to the summit of South Boulder Peak is a relatively difficult, rigorous trek. You’ll inevitably gain 2,950′ in elevation. South Boulder Peak rests at 8,549′. The hike starts out of the South Mesa Trailhead. There are a number of different variations that you can make on this hike due to the web of trails heading out from the trailhead. The best route courses along the Homestead Trail. Follow the Homestead Trail for 1.1 miles. After 1.1 miles, you’ll encounter the first of many trail junctions. Continue taking left turns at each of the 4 junctions that you encounter over the next .9 miles. After 2 miles, you should hit the Shadow Canyon […]
Trailhead: NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) – if approaching Bear Peak via Fern Canyon or the West Ridge; South Mesa – if approaching Bear Peak via Shadow Canyon Activities: Hiking Closest City / Town: Boulder, Colorado Directions to NCAR Trailhead: Head west on Table Mesa Drive (Table Mesa can be accessed directly from Broadway or Highway 36). Continue on Table Mesa Drive as it climbs up the side of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Table Mesa Drive will eventually dead end into the NCAR parking lot. Directions to South Mesa Trailhead: Take Highway 93 south out of Boulder. Hang a right onto Highway 170 towards Eldorado Springs. After 1.8 miles you will see the South Mesa Trailhead on the right-hand side of the highway. Note: Please go the speed limit on highway 170. You’ll encounter many bikers and children on this drive. Hiking Distance: Approximately 7.6 miles (roundtrip) Description: There are three ways that you can climb Bear Peak: 1) West Ridge, 2) Fern Canyon, & 3) Shadow Canyon. Personally, we would recommend ascending via the West Ridge & descending through Fern Canyon. This trip is approximately 7.6 miles roundtrip. If you want to avoid crowds, then you should definitely go […]
Trailhead: Bluestem Prairie Trailhead off of Bradley Road Activities: Hiking, birding Closest City / Town: Colorado Springs, Colorado Driving Directions: Drive south on I-25 out of Colorado Springs. Take a left (east) onto Academy Boulevard. Drive 1.5 miles to the Bradley Road exit, and hang a left on Bradley. Drive 4.5 miles down Bradley Road. Bradley Road will eventually turn into Goldfield Drive. You will begin to see the Big Johnson Reservoir on your left-hand side. Just beyond the Reservoir, look for a sign and parking for the trailhead on the left. Note: Bluestem Prairie is just south of Colorado Springs Airport. Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles (roundtrip) Description: Please note that dogs are not allowed in Bluestem Prairie Open Space. The hike through Bluestem Prairie is very gentle. There is little to no elevation gain. Essentially, the trail wraps three-fourths of the way around the reservoir, and then comes to a dead end. Although not difficult to navigate, the trail does disappear on the north side of Big Johnson Reservoir as vegetation has reclaimed some of its former territory. Bluestem Prairie is a perfect place for a mid-winter trek. The open space is rarely used, and you will most likely be […]
Trailhead: Pawnee Road Trailhead Activities: Hiking Closest City / Town: Manitou Springs, Colorado Driving Directions: From Colorado Springs, head west down Highway 24. Get off at the Manitou Avenue exit and head left (westerly direction). Continue on Manitou Avenue through the City of Manitou Springs. Approximately halfway through Manitou Springs, take a left (south) on Pawnee Avenue. Continue up Pawnee, which is a very steep paved road, until it turns into a gravel road. There is a small parking area on the right next to a large drainage. This is the trailhead parking lot. Hiking Distance: approximately 2.5 miles (roundtrip) Description: The trail begins by heading out west along the Paul Intemann Trail. Approximately 0.5 miles from the trailhead, you’ll see a sign for the Red Mountain spur trail. Take a left at the junction, and head up to the the top of Red Mountain. It is 0.75 miles, all uphill, to the top. The trail ends at a false summit. There is an old building foundation at the top. Word has it that the area was actually used as a gentleman’s club many years ago. One other note, the Intemann Trail Committee constructed the entire trail. Worth Noting: The views […]
Red Rock Canyon Trailhead: Ridge Road Trailhead Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing Closest City / Town: Colorado Springs, Colorado Driving Directions: Start by getting onto I-25. Take the Cimarron exit (Highway 24) and head west. Take a left on Ridge Road, and park in the first parking lot (the lower lot). Note: If you pass Manitou Springs, then you’ve gone too far. Hiking Distance: 2.05 miles (roundtrip) Description: Red Rock Canyon Open Space is generally touted as the Garden of the Gods for Colorado Springs locals. Its superb red rock sandstone formations, rich history, and brilliant trail system make this park one of Colorado Springs’ best. There are plenty of locations to picnic and hiking opportunities for everyone — novice and expert hikers alike. We’ve named the trail described on this page the Quarry Pass Loop, although it has no official name. Begin your hike by jumping onto the Mesa Trail. Take the Mesa Trail uphill for approximately .6 miles. Next, hang a left on the Quarry Pass Trail, following it .65 miles. This is a marvelous section of trail that winds through the old sandstone quarry. It’s one of the few places in the State of Colorado where you can […]
Trailhead: South Turkey Creek Road & Highway 285 Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Sledding, Snowshoeing Closest City / Town(s): Aspen Park & Conifer, Colorado Driving Directions: From Denver, head west into the mountains on Highway 285 for approximately 16 miles. Jump off on the exit that is located 0.5 miles before reaching Aspen Park (the exit is on the right-hand side of the highway). Go beneath the overpass and park in the parking lot immediately in front of you (The lot is actually off of the beginning of South Turkey Creek Road). Hiking Distance: There are a number of different loops that you can hike throughout the park. The route described on this page is approximately 5.0 miles roundtrip. Description: Meyer Ranch Park is one of Jefferson County Open Space’s crown jewels. Hiking in the area offers great wildlife viewing potential and a sense of solitude. There is a nice picnic area located 0.5 miles away from the main parking area. Just follow the Owl’s Perch Trail up to the picnic facilities. Also, the area provides wonderful sledding possibilities during the winter months, all within eyesight of the parking area. As for the best hiking opportunity in the park, take the Owl’s […]
Reynolds Park Trailhead: Northwest Trailhead (the first trailhead that you come to while traveling down Foxton Road) Activities: Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking Closest City / Town: Conifer, Colorado Driving Directions: Take U.S. Highway 285 south out of Denver. Take a left (south) on Foxton Road. Drive 5.5 miles down Foxton Road; park in the parking lot on your right (south). Hiking Distance: 4.0 miles (roundtrip) Description: Reynolds Park is one of our favorite hiking destinations because of its close proximity to Denver and its little known, little hiked, and well maintained trails. Camping is available during the summer at the small Idylease Campground, however, advance reservations are required. As a side note, Jefferson County Open Space supplies paper maps at each of its major trailheads — be sure to grab a map before you begin your trek. From the trailhead, head west towards the restroom facility. Continue beyond the restroom to the Raven’s Roost Trail. Raven’s Roost is .9 miles long, all uphill. However, the hike is relatively gentle. Next, you will come to a junction with the Eagle’s View Trail. Hang a right on the Eagle’s View Trail, following it for one mile to the top of the ridge. Once […]
Hummingbird Loop Trailhead: Northwest Trailhead (the first trailhead that you come to while traveling down Foxton Road is the best access for the Reynolds Park – Hummingbird Loop) Activities: Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking Closest City / Town: Conifer, Colorado Driving Directions: Take U.S. Highway 285 south out of Denver. Take a left (south) on Foxton Road. Drive 5.5 miles down Foxton Road; park in the parking lot on your right (south). Hiking Distance: 2.0 miles (roundtrip) Description: Reynolds Park is one of our favorite hiking destinations because of its close proximity to Denver and its little known, little hiked, and well maintained trails. Josh, one of the website authors, used to work for Jeffco Open Space; that’s how he became so familiar with Jeffco Parks. Camping is available during the summer at the small Idylease Campground, however, advance reservations are required. As a side note, Jefferson County Open Space supplies paper maps at each of its major trailheads — be sure to grab a map before you begin your trek. From the trailhead, cross the small creek to the west, jump onto the Songbird Trail, and hike to the southeast. Follow the Songbird Trail for .5 miles, until you eventually reach […]
Elk Creek Falls Trailhead: Group Picnic Area near main park entrance Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing, Rock Climbing Closest City / Town: Conifer, Colorado Driving Directions: Take U.S. Highway 285 south out of Denver. Hang a right at Shaffers Crossing, about 6 miles west of Conifer Head north on Elk Creek Road for 1.5 miles. Take a right at the entrance to Staunton State Park. Park at the group picnic area, which is located about 1/8 of a mile beyond the main parking area at the park entrance. Hiking Distance: 11.2 miles (roundtrip) Description: The Elk Creek Falls Loop in Staunton State Park is one of our favorites no matter what time of year it is. However, be prepared for some light snow travel during most winter months (this might include bringing snowshoes if it has snowed a lot). The trails in Staunton State Park are well signed, so you shouldn’t have a problem navigating. The hike described here is a loop, but there are a few trail variations you can pursue. From the trailhead, head out on the Staunton Ranch Trail for 3.0 miles. This is an undulating trail that also provides some of the main climbing access in the park. At mile […]
***Please note that The Colorado Hiker is no longer being updated. For current information on this trail and other Colorado tips, please visit Nomad Colorado. You can find specific information on this trail by visiting the Matthews/Winters page on Nomad Colorado.*** Trailhead: Mount Vernon Trailhead at Matthews Winters Park Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Bouldering Closest City / Town: Morrison, Colorado (Denver) Driving Directions: Take I-70 to the Morrison Exit (Exit 259); Get off on the Morrison Exit, and then hang a left and head south (if you’re coming from Denver); Go south on Colorado Highway 26 approximately 0.1 mile and turn at the park entrance. There is a large parking lot near the entrance, but plan to arrive early – especially on weekends. The parking lot tends to fill up in a hurry. Hiking Distance: 4.8 Miles (roundtrip) Description: From the parking lot, head south towards the restroom for .3 miles. Cross Mt. Vernon Creek and take a right, continuing for another .3 miles. Keep an eye out to your right for an early homesteading cemetery with tombstones dating back to the mid-1800s. Take a right at the second trail junction, following the Red Rocks Trail for another .8 miles. This portion […]
***Please note that The Colorado Hiker is no longer being updated. For current information on this trail and other Colorado tips, please visit Nomad Colorado. You can find specific information on this trail by visiting the Mount Galbraith page on Nomad Colorado.*** Trailhead: Golden Gate Canyon Road Trailhead at Mount Galbraith Activities: Hiking Closest City / Town: Golden, Colorado Driving Directions: From Golden, drive north on State Highway 93. Take Golden Gate Canyon Road west approximately 1.5 miles to the parking area and trailhead. The parking area is located on the left (south) side of the road. Hiking Distance: 4.2 miles roundtrip Description: The main trailhead for Mount Galbraith Park, a Jefferson County Open Space icon, is located at 6,200′ in elevation. The hike tops out at 7,200′, so expect to gain 1,000′ in elevation along this trek. There is only one trail – Cedar Gulch Trail – that heads out of the Golden Gate Canyon Road Trailhead. Follow Cedar Gulch Trail 1.3 miles until you reach an obvious trail junction. The Cedar Gulch Trail offers great views of North Table Mountain, South Table Mountain, Golden, Coors Brewing Factory, and Denver. When you reach the trail junction, avoid the Nightbird Gulch Trail by taking […]