Colorado is full of extraordinary trails begging to be explored! Carri crisscrosses the state finding hikes that are off the map. Of course, she also covers ground on well-known trails to make sure you find a hike that suits you!
A visit to Aspen at any time of year wouldn’t be complete without some quality trail time. Even if
blazing through snow, scenic views await along Hunter Creek, a long time locals favorite. On the edge
of downtown Aspen, this adventure will take you through aspen groves, alongside rushing water of Hunter Creek and over several bridges as you climb elevation. After about 1.6 miles, the trail splits. Continue reading »
Slip on Paul Bunyan’s boot along the way through the breathtaking hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
“This park is the jewel of Colorado,” hiking guide Marlene Borneman tells our group of gals as we set off on our expedition to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ready to show off what is only a sliver of the beauty in Estes Park, Marlene led us on a hike (3.6 mi. R.T.) across the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead near the Twin Owls. “I always carry a camera. You never know what wildlife you might see,” Marlene says. After climbing just over 900 feet and passing a rock formation that resembles Paul Bunyan’s boot, we reached the summit of Gem Lake where sandy shores sit ready for any hiker ready to take a break. Continue reading »
Your heart rate will slow down after the trek to the top of Rim Rock Trail, but then again, the view is so stunning that your pulse may keep racing.
Less than 20 minutes from Parker and about an hour from Denver, you will find trails fit for any hiker inside Castlewood Canyon State Park. My hiking pal and I decided on this spot for the variety of trail options, pull-out-the camera views and of course it’s a breezy drive from Denver. We were in the market for anything between five and eight miles and Castlewood Canyon had just that! Trails range from mild to moderate with trail distances varying between .5 to 4 miles. We rounded out the day with nearly 6 miles of hiking behind us, complete with wildlife sightings, panoramic views and terrain that kept us on our toes.
We started out on the Inner Canyon Trail (1.16 mi) that took us through a captivating canyon, making us feel like we found the hiking gold-mine! From hopping across big time rocks and trekking across bridges, the trail kept us guessing at what terrain would follow next. Inner Canyon connects to Lake Gulch (.8 mi) making a loop that leads you back to the parking lot you started at. With the trail being relatively flat, we were ready to wake up our calves and quads—leading to a steepher option.
The route along the Inner Canyon Trail is meandering, making it ideal for a causal hike.
Rim Rim Rock Trail (2.14 mi) climbs to take-your-breath away mountain vistas. The first half is a muscle-awakening trek that evens out toward the end. The trail connects with the Creek Bottom Trail (1.7 miles) which lines up next to a creek and eventually a stunning view of a waterfall. Make sure to save some energy to explore the original Castlewood dam ruins, which burst in 1933 sending a 15-foot-high wave of water in Denver. Remnants of the historic dam remain and are fascinating!
Exploring Historic Dams at Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park
2989 South Highway 83
Franktown, CO 80116
Directions:
To get to Castlewood Canyon State Park, take 1-25 to Castle Rock. Take the Founders Parkway exit on Hwy 86 into Franktown. At the stoplight turn south to Hwy 83 and drive five miles to the park entrance. There are two entrances to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The main (or east) entrance is off of Hwy 83, five miles south of Franktown. The west entrance is accessed from Castlewood Canyon Road off of Hwy 86.
Castlewood Canyon open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Park Passes 
aily Park Pass – $7, Annual pass: $70
If you’re a local you might refer to it as “The Monument.” If you live in or outside of Grand Junction, I hope you’ve heard of it if. Especially if you have a zip code that coincides with the Centennial State. The Colorado National Monument is famous for it’s sweeping views of Colorado, canyons, cliffs, and mesa tops. Continue reading »
It’s easy to become captivated in Eldorado Canyon. Right in Boulder’s backyard you will find massive vertically rising sandstone cliffs, the rushing sounds of South Boulder Creek and 500 rock-climbing routes to challenge your skills. There are also plenty of hiking trails ready to tally miles on your boots. Rattlesnake Gulch is an excellent option that even manages to mix history in.
The steep 2.8 mile round trip hike leads you to the historic Crags hotel. Built in 1908, an inclined railway took families from the canyon floor to the 40-room hotel. Patrons came to eat, drink, dance, sing and gamble while enjoying the view of Eldorado Canyon below. Four years after it was built, the hotel burned down. Take time to look around the site- you will notice a brick oven and a concrete basin that might once have been a fountain. Still today, hikers follow the path of the railway that was once named Crags Boulevard. If you have some extra energy keep trudging on a .8 mile loop that leads to wide open views of the Continental Divide.
Tips
1. Consider hiking on a weekend. Eldorado Canyon almost reaches vehicles capacity on weekends. Vehicles are only let in when there is space available
2. Bring a picnic and snag a spot by the South Boulder Creek
3. Come back in the winter- there are plenty of cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails for winter
Directions: From Boulder- take Highway 93 south about a mile to the Eldorado Springs turn. Go west on Highway 170 three miles to the town. Follow the dirt road to the entrance to the park. A parks pass is required to enter.
