Top Hiking Trails in the Denver Area
Colorado is blessed to be a state of much natural beauty. In fact, looking out at the famous Pike’s Peak once inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful. With such majesty and gorgeous views, Colorado truly is an amazing state. For those looking for a summer getaway, below are some of the best local hiking paths.
Roxborough State Park
Within a short drive of Denver, Roxborough offers spectacular views of nearby mountains and the impressive red rock foundations. To get there, one simply needs to take Wadsworth Boulevard South to Wateron Road and eventually North Rampart Range Road. Once at the park, different trails available include the Fountain Valley Overlook, Fountain Valley Trail, Lyons Overlook Trail, South Rim Trail, Willow Creek Trail and Carpenter Peak. Of all these trails, the South Rim Trail, a three-mile loop, offers the best view of the red rocks that the park has now become famous for. This hike can easily be accomplished within a morning or afternoon.
Cherry Creek State Park
On the opposite side of the city from Roxborough is Cherry Creek State Park. To get there, simply take Parker Road to the Cherry Creek State Park exit. While Roxborough offers majestic views of the foothills and red rocks, Cherry Creek centers on the Cherry Creek Dam and Cherry Creek Reservoir. After Cherry Creek flooded and destroyed the original dam at Castlewood Canyon State Park, a second dam was built in Southeast Denver, resulting in the reservoir and the nearby wetlands. Here, one can hike through a man-made wetland area and simultaneously enjoy the nearby sights and sounds of nature.
Mount Galbraith
A lesser known hike is the Mount Galbraith trail. Located just northwest of Golden, to get there, one will drive just northwest of Golden Gate Canyon to the Mount Galbraith Loop. The trail can be moderately strenuous as a result of the elevation gain, but overall is well worth it, with access to majestic views of the west toward the Continental Divide and to the east over Golden and Denver.
These are just three more trails that you can explore in the Denver area to make your investigation of the Rocky Mountain West more enjoyable.
References:
“Top Hiking Trails Near Denver.” CBS Denver. Available at http://denver.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-hiking-trails-near-denver/.