Spiral Point Hike Trailhead: Lot 8 Parking Lot (Snowmass Mountain) Activities: Hiking, Biking Closest Towns: Snowmass & Aspen, Colorado Driving Directions to Trailhead: From Highway 82 (the highway that runs between Glenwood Springs and Aspen), head west on Brush Creek Road (the main road into Snowmass). Follow Brush Creek Toad for 2.7 miles, then take the first exit at the roundabout. Continue another 2.8 miles up Brush Creek Road beyond the roundabout. Turn right onto Carriage Way Road and go 0.1 miles. The Lot 8 Parking Lot will be on your right. The trail starts out of the north end of the parking lot. Hiking Distance: ~ 4.5 miles (roundtrip) Description: For the Spiral Point hike, head out on the Nature Trail, a wonderful and rolling trail, from the Lot 8 parking lot. Go 0.4 miles on the Nature Trail. Take a right and travel 0.33 miles on the South Rim Connector Trail. You’ll pass by an old dilapidated cabin along the way. It’s when you hit the Rim Trail South Trail that things get steep! Go another 1.3 miles up on the Rim Trail South Trail. Take a left at the top of the hill and go about another 0.2 […]
***Please note that The Colorado Hiker is no longer being updated.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 Gem Lake Trail page on Nomad Colorado.*** Gem Lake Hike Trailhead: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead Activities: Hiking Closest City / Town: Estes Park, Colorado Driving Directions: From Estes Park, take the US Highway 34 bypass road (aka Wonderview Road). The Stanley Hotel will be on your right-hand side. Just beyond the Stanley Hotel, take a right onto MacGregor Avenue (CR 43). MacGregor Avenue quickly turns into Devils Gulch Road. Turn left at the signed entrance to Lumpy Ridge Road. The Lumpy Ridge Trailhead is located at the end of the road. This is a large trailhead with restroom facilities and amazing views of Lumpy Ridge. Hiking Distances: 3.2 miles (roundtrip) Description: Gem Lake is a very small and shallow lake (more of a pond really) located in a high, rocky saddle of Lumpy Ridge. Its dramatic beauty, paired with terrific views and the unusual granite landscape of Lumpy Ridge, make this a must-do hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Gem Lake Trailhead, the trail immediately goes north for a short distance […]
Grizzly Creek Trail Trailhead: Grizzly Creek Rest Area (Glenwood Canyon) Activities: Hiking Closest Towns: Glenwood Springs, Colorado Driving Directions to Trailhead: From I-70 in Glenwood Canyon take Exit 121. The parking area for Grizzly Creek trail is on the north side of the Interstate. Look for a short road that will take you to the upper lot. The parking area can be busy in the summer due to river access and users. Hiking Distance: ~ 6.8 miles (roundtrip) Description: The Grizzly Creek Trail is an out and back hike that generally follows the meandering Grizzly Creek. The canyon is one of the largest side canyons in Glenwood Canyon. This is a great hike for families and young children because the grade is relatively gentle (at least for the first couple miles). Begin hiking from the small kiosk located adjacent to the upper/northern parking lot. You will quickly leave the hustle and bustle of I-70 behind you as you pass two picnic tables within the first half-mile of the hike. The picnic areas offer perfect resting spots to enjoy the tranquility of Grizzly Creek. At approximately 2 miles into the hike, you’ll hit the first steep portion of the trail. This can be a great […]
Doc Holliday Trail Trailhead: 12th Street and Bennett Avenue (downtown Glenwood Springs) Activities: Hiking Closest Towns: Glenwood Springs, Colorado Driving Directions to Trailhead: Head south (towards Aspen) from the Grand Avenue Bridge at the Colorado River. Take a left on 11th Go three blocks until you reach Bennett Avenue. Take a right on Bennett to 12th Street, and park in the neighborhood along the street. You’ll see obvious signs and the well-worn path from there. Hiking Distance: ~ 1 mile (roundtrip) Description: Although relatively short, the Doc Holliday Trail through the Linwood Cemetery is a perfect way to spend an hour or two. The best part is that the cemetery is right on the edge of town and within walking distance from most hotels, including the Hotel Denver where we stayed. The trail, while short, is all uphill to the cemetery on a dirt path. The trailhead on 12th and Bennett is well signed. Enter the small path and immediately begin climbing through scrub oak. About .1 mile into the hike, amazing views of Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley begin to open up. There are numerous benches and resting points if you need to catch your breath or enjoy the scenery. […]
No Name Trail Trailhead: Jess Weaver Trailhead (Glenwood Canyon) Activities: Hiking Closest Towns: Glenwood Springs, Colorado Driving Directions to Trailhead: From I-70 in Glenwood Canyon take Exit 119 (two miles east of Glenwood Springs). Head north away from the rest area for .5 miles on No Name Road. You will dead-end into the trailhead. Park in the designated lot just to the south of the last house in the canyon. Hiking Distance: ~ 6.2 miles (roundtrip) Description: The No Name Trail (aka Jess Weaver Trail) is really the highlight of the three major hikes you can do in Glenwood Canyon. It’s a little shorter and much steeper than the Grizzly Creek Trail. Begin the hike at a small parking lot on the north side of I-70. The first .4 miles of the hike follow the water diversion access road to a small diversion building. Water is diverted to Glenwood Springs as one of the town’s main water supply sources. It’s once you pass the diversion structure that the trail turns to single track and you leave most traces of humanity behind. The trail is oftentimes steep and follows No Name Creek the entire way up the canyon. Dense vegetation sometimes shields the creek […]
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 Mount Falcon page on Nomad Colorado.*** Trailhead: West Parking Lot (Note: Mount Falcon can also be accessed on the east side via Highway 8) Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing, Skiing Closest City / Town: Morrison, Colorado Driving Directions: Head west out of Denver on Highway 285; Take the Indian Hills turn-off from U.S. Highway 285, and follow Parmalee Gulch Road for 5 miles to Picutis Road; Hang a right on Picutis Road and follow the signs to the west parking area. Hiking Distance: 4.6 Miles (roundtrip) Description: There are a ton of hiking options at Jefferson County’s Mount Falcon Park. We have hiked every inch of every trail in the park; the hike described here is our favorite because it provides the greatest amount of solitude, in addition to exhibiting the best large-landscape views! From the west parking lot, follow the Castle Trail for .8 miles (don’t forget to visit the John Brisben Walker Castle along the way, which is located about .6 miles into the hike). Next, […]
Trailhead: Heritage Square Parking Lot Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking Closest City / Town: Golden, Colorado (Denver) Driving Directions: Take I-70 to the Morrison Exit (Exit 259); Get off on the Morrison Exit, and then hang a right (north); East access is on the northeast corner of the Heritage Square parking lot; The trailhead is well signed. Hiking Distance: 5.6 Miles (roundtrip) Description: The Enchanted Forest Loop in Jefferson County’s Apex Park is probably the least used route in the open space – especially during the winter months. This route closely parallels the old Apex and Gregory Wagon Road. The route is relatively gentle. From the Heritage Square Trailhead, hike 2.5 miles up the Apex Trail. This trail is well delineated and should not be difficult to follow. Once you reach the top (west end) of Apex Park, hang a left (heading south) on the Enchanted Mesa Trail. Follow the Enchanted Mesa Trail for 1.3 miles; you’ll eventually run back into the Apex Trail. Hang a right (east) on the Apex Trail, following it back down to the parking lot. Worth Noting: Apex Park is full to the brim with historical value. The Apex and Gregory Wagon Road was carved through Apex Gulch […]
Trailhead: West Parking Lot Trailhead (this will be the second trailhead that you get to) Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking Closest City / Town: Evergreen, Colorado Driving Directions: Travel south of Evergreen on Highway 73. Turn west (right) on Buffalo Park Road, approximately 1 mile to the east parking lot. A second parking lot is located another 1/2 mile along Buffalo Park Road on the right-hand side of the road. Motorized vehicles are confined to the parking areas and roadways. We recommend parking at the west parking lot, which contains better restrooms and more parking than the east lot. Hiking Distance: 2.9 miles (roundtrip) Description: Alderfer/Three Sisters Open Space Park has hiking (and biking) options for just about anyone. The various trails rollercoaster, and rarely will you find yourself on a prolonged incline or downhill. The park contains 770 acres of open space. Ever since Evergreen was settled, the four rock formations called “The Three Sisters” and “The Brother” have been landmarks, providing spectacular views of the Bear Creek Basin and beyond. Over 10 miles of trail lead you around the Three Sisters and up to The Brother and connect to Evergreen Recreation District property. Our favorite adventure begins at the west parking lot. Jefferson County Open Space […]