10 BEST HIKING TRAILS

Colorado is all about majestic beauty, and while there are truly memorable hikes in places like Maroon Bells near Aspen, there are also lots of great day hikes near Denver, featuring everything from alpine lakes and wildflower meadows to red-rock formations and panoramic vistas.

1.

MILLS LAKE

The hike to Mills Lake is one of the most scenic in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a moderate 5.3 mile round-trip trek that winds past Alberta Falls, a mesmerizing 30-foot waterfall that’s one of the park’s most popular features, with people gathering to snack on backpack picnics while sitting on rocks near the tumbling waters. The trail crosses the footbridge over Glacier Creek, and when you reach Mills Lake, it’s a beautiful place to picnic and savor the view. The alpine lake is fringed by such peaks as the 13,497-foot Pagoda Mountain, the 12,668-foot Thatchtop Mountain and the 13,579-foot Chiefs Head Peak.

2.

OUZEL FALLS

The rare and delicate Calypso Orchid can be spotted on a wildflower hike to Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Also called the fairy slipper orchid, this wildflower isn’t always easy to find — it often hides beneath trees, tucked into shady spots.

Fellow hikers who find them are eager to show them off. Late June and early July is the best time to see the calypso orchid. But there are dozens of other wildflowers to see on this round-trip hike, which is about 3.6 miles to Calypso Cascades and 5.4 miles to Ouzel Falls.

This moderate hike starts on a relatively flat path, passing meadows with wildflowers, then winding up a gentle incline. Eventually the trail gets steeper, with steps and risers to help hikers ascend to Ouzel Falls, a

40-foot waterfall that sits at an elevation of 9,370 feet.

3.

BEAR CREEK TRAIL

Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park near Morrison is an easy, shady trail that’s popular with families because it’s got so much to offer. There’s plenty of shade, easy flat trails, woodlands and the cool burbling waters of Bear Creek, which attract anglers. There are also loads of wildflowers growing near the creek alongside cottonwood and box elders.

4.

ROYAL ARCH TRAIL

6.

GOLDEN GATE CANYON

For many hikers, the destination of this trail is The Royal Arch, a 20-foot span of sandstone that soars overhead. The view from this spot gives a birds-eye view of Boulder, along with the plains and foothills of the Front Range.

But if the Royal Arch Trail seems too ambitious, there are easier trails in Chautauqua Park, located at Grant and Baseline streets. Located in Boulder’s ChautauquaPark, the Royal Arch Trail is a 3.4 mile out-and-back hike that’s rated moderate to difficult. It’s often crowded in summer, so hiking on a weekday or early mornings on weekends is a smart way to avoid human traffic jams.

5.

ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK

A quick drive southwest of Denver, this state park was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior because of its geological wonders, which include significant fossil remains, hogback ridges and awe-inspiring red-rock formations.

The park, with almost 4,000 acres, has trails for hikers of all levels. One of the easiest is the Fountain Valley Trail, a 2.2 mile loop that goes through spectacular redrock formations.

There’s also Willow Creek Trail, a 1.4 mile loop that leads through oak forest and willow bush, with a creek where you can cool your feet before hiking onward.

You can also check out special hikes led by naturalists who guide you on treks exploring the area’s geology that represents 1.2 billion years of history. Some of these naturalist hikes focus on single topics, like keeping a naturalist journal. This state park, just a 30-minute drive from Denver, stretches over nearly 12,000 acres with 36 miles of hiking trails for all different levels. It’s a favorite of many hikers because of its natural treasures: scenic views of the snow-topped Front Range, thick forests, meadows fringed with aspen trees and peaceful creeks.

Raccoon Trail, a 2.5 mile loop of moderate intensity, is one of the most popular trails, winding through groves of white fir, aspen, blue spruce and lodgepole pine.

Perhaps the best part is that the trail starts and ends at Panorama Point, a scenic overlook with a breathtaking mountain view of a 100-mile span of the Continental Divide, and a map that identifies each peak.

To customize your hike, check in first at the friendly visitor’s center (92 Crawford Gulch Rd., Golden, 303582-3707) to talk with the helpful state park employees about the type of hike you’d like.

7.

MOUNT GOLIATH RESEARCH NATURAL AREA

Ancient bristlecone pines are among Colorado’s rare treasures — gnarled trees with twisted trunks, some about 1,600 years old, among the oldest tree species in the world.

You can hike among these trees in the Mount Goliath Research Natural Area, which is devoted to the study of the Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine tree. It’s located on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and the Pesman Trail leads 1.4 miles into the center of the ancient forest.

Also, the Denver Botanic Gardens offers free, guided wildflower hikes on Mount Goliath on certain dates in July and August, a wonderland of alpine forget-menots and fairy primrose. For more information, contact tours@botanicgardens.org.

1. 8.

FIND A REALTOR® WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER. ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK

Selecting a great team to represent you in the purchase It’s just a few miles outside the charming town of of your new home is critical. There are many great Evergreen, but it gives a sense of being away from realtors out there, but choosing who to work with is all the urban bustle and has nearly 15 miles of trails the most underestimated step in the process. Buying on 770 acres. You can walk through meadows rich a home is often the largest, most important purchase with wildflowers in early summer, and spot a variety a family can make. You deserve to be represented by a of birds, including red-shafted flickers, mountain team who is adept at navigating all the intricacies of the bluebirds and Cooper’s hawks. identification of the right property, the negotiation, the transaction as well as the closing. Our team is Alderfer Three Sisters Trail is a 6.9 mile loop with great made up of exceptionally welltrained, full-time local views of Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt. There’s experts who will walk you through the process. Our also a short scenic trail spur before you make the top fiduciary duty is to put your interests (financial and that’s well worth checking out. otherwise) above everyone else’s (including our own). When we agree to work together, it requires clear There are lots of different trails to choose from, lines of communication both way. Our clients love us including the Hidden Fawn Trail, which is flat and because we will talk them out of purchasing a property features lots of wildflowers and mature pine stands. that is not right for them just as fast as we will talk them into one that is right for them. Customizing your 9. unique property search provides you with information on homes that are most relevant to your buying ST. MARY’S GLACIER LOOP experience, without inundating you with information that is not pertinent to your specific situation. St. Mary’s Glacier Loop, located in the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs is a 1.6 mile hike with beautiful views of the sparkling, glacier-fed lake

2.

that’s fringed with willow trees and wildflowers.

THE HOME INTERVIEW. The trail is often rocky, which makes it an easy-tomoderate hike, and hiking boots are recommended. Listening is one of our super-powers. This isn’t just Once you reach the lake, you can hike the trail up going to the car lot and picking either a red one or to the glacier, which is basically a snow field, with a blue one. We consider ourselves “professional real bighorn sheep, mountain goats and elk often spotted in estate matchmakers” when it comes to discussing our the area. clients wants and needs. It’s not just about how many beds and baths you want. We want to find out what’s There are so many picturesque views on this day important to you about having a larger backyard or an hike that’s relatively short and easy, which makes it a ocean view. It’s about sitting down and really taking the favorite. time to discover what “the perfect home” looks like for you. 10. 3. ELK MEADOW PARK

FINANCING & PRE-APPROVAL.

One of the things people love most about hiking in Elk Meadow Park in Evergreen is the chance to spot herds Whether you’re paying cash or seeking financing, the of elk grazing at the edge of the forests, just as they conversation about how we’re going to get from point have in that area for centuries. A to point B is an important one. If getting a loan, sellers want to see that you are pre-approved with a There are a mix of trails, from easy to strenuous. They reputable lender. They also want to see proof of funds include flat terrain, rolling hills, meadows with July for the stated downpayment and closing costs. If paying wildflowers, and tougher hikes — like the Bergen cash, sellers want to see proof of funds sufficient to Peak Trail, which has more than 1,700 feet of elevation complete the transaction. gain and views of Pikes Peak, Mount Evans and the Continental Divide.