Guides
This mountain bike version of the famous Morgul-Bismarck bike race course, is a great loop trail near Superior, Colorado
Also known as the "Happy Meal Loop," the Bismarck Dirty Loop was completed in 2011 with the addition of the Meadowlark Trail section. This trail is easily accessible by Colorado Front Range trail users and is an especially enjoyable mountain bike trail. Although challenging in a couple short sections, in general the Bismarck Dirty Loop is not a very...
Enjoy America's #1 recreation town by bike. This path starts in the plains, goes through town and ends in the mountains.
In a town that loves its trails and alternative forms of transportation, the Boulder Creek Path is the perfect defining landmark. This trail also symbolizes the state of Colorado since it start in the plains and ends in the mountains; it also runs through both rural and urban landscapes. This trail is also commonly known as the Boulder Bike Path...
This trail is part of the Walker Ranch Open Space area southwest of Boulder, Colorado.
The Meyers Homestead Trail is located nine miles southwest of Boulder, Colorado. To reach the trail from Boulder, you will drive west on Baseline Road until you get to Chautauqua Park. You will continue on this road, but the name changes to Flagstaff Road and it begins to climb quite steeply. Once you reach the top of Flagstaff Road and begin downhill,...
Devil's Thumb Pass from the Hessie Trailhead
The hike to Devil's Thumb Pass is a wonderful hike for those who are able to make the journey. Although there are other, much shorter routes to the pass, none offer the scenery that you will encounter on this particular route. It is rated as moderate due to the length of the hike and the fact that you will ascend approx. 2400 feet (add another 800ft...
The Bitterbrush and Nelson Loop Trails are fairly difficult mountain bike routes that form a lasso trail near Lyons, CO.
Unlike many of my other trail guides, this one is definitely a little more strenuous and technical. If you are riding a bike, prepare for steep climbs and rapid descents. There are some tricky corners and numerous rocks and roots in the trail. There is also great scenery, lots of wildlife, and a heck of a roller-coaster ride. Although this trail is...
A hike within the Roosevelt National Forest
There are a couple of Blue Lakes in the Colorado front range. This one is located in the Roosevelt National Forest north of Nederland, near the small community of Ward. It is a fabulous hike in which you will encounter two major lakes (Mitchell and Blu) and several other streams and small ponds. Ther is abundant wildlife and flowers that offer some...
Ride the 14 mile long Sand Creek Regional Greenway trail.
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway is a jewel in the necklace of trails that has made the metro Denver area a national model for linked trail systems. This 14-mile public greenway connects the High Line Canal in Aurora with the South Platte River Greenway in Commerce City. Along the way, it passes through Denver and the newly formed Stapleton community. The...
Enjoying the mountain in front of the Rockies
On the west side of Denver lies a hidden gem of a hike (or ride, if you like using a bike). Locally known as the Green Mountain Open Space, the sign on the south end of the trailhead reads “William Frederick Hayden Park” — “a rose by any other name …” While the terrain is cross hatched with a variety of trails, the route I chose is just...
Fun, intermediate mountain bike ride about 20 minutes west of Denver, near Lakewood, Colorado.
This is an easy to intermediate trail about 20 minutes west of Denver. Directions: Take I-70 West from Denver for about 9 miles to C470-East exit (exit 260). Go about 2 miles on C470 East and take the Alameda Parkway exit. Turn right onto Alameda Parkway, then take your first right onto Rooney Road. Go about 1.5 miles and the trail head parking lot...
Mountain bike trail near Golden, Colorado (about 30 minutes west of Denver).
On odd-numbered calendar days, bicyclists must travel one way on certain segments of the trail. This trail guide describes a combination of trails that you can follow on those odd-numbered days. On even-numbered days, all of the trails are multidirectional, i.e. you can ride any way you want. Directions to trailhead: From Denver, take 6th Ave...
Relatively new trail system near Golden. A good trail if you want something short and relatively easy.
This is a relatively new trail system just built north of downtown Golden. It is fairly short and nontechnical but does offer a climb and some singletrack. It's a good ride if you are short on time and want something easy. Directions to trailhead: From west Denver, drive 12 miles on 6th Avenue going west. At the intersection of 6th Ave, CO-58 and...
Mountain bike trail near Morrison, CO. It is about 30 minuues southwest of Denver.
This is a fun intermediate to advanced trail. It begins with a long 2+ mile climb that is entirely sun exposed. Then you'll get to the top where it flattens out. The best part of the trail in my opinion is the Parmalee Gulch section. This is a fun 2 mile singletrack section that makes the climb worth it. There are many options on this trail. I describe...
Fun mostly singletrack trail west of Morrison, Colorado.
This is a fun intermediate difficulty mountain bike trail west of Morrison, Colorado. It is mostly a rolling trail with a moderate amount of climbing. Technically it is an intermediate trail with an occasional short advanced technical sections thrown in. Directions to trail: From Denver, make your way to Morrison. This is a cute little town and a...
Mountain bike ride southwest of Denver
Directions: Take I-70 West to C-470 East. Take the Wadsworth Boulevard exit. Turn right off of the exit and then turn right at the first light, Deer Creek Canyon road. Go about 2 miles to a stop sign, turn left and continue past the South Valley park trail head. In less than a mile from the South Valley park trail head, turn left onto Grizzly Drive....
Enjoy this loop trail that meanders along creeks, beside a pond, through pumpkin fields and over Colorado hills.
This trail wanders through the communities of Louisville, Broomfield, and Lafayette, Colorado. Most of the ride is on open space trails, but portions of it also utilize Dillon Road and S. 120th Street. There are three good trailheads from which to access this trail, and each trailhead is in a different one of the three communities mentioned above....
Fun SW Denver Scramble
This is one of the most fun hikes in Southwest Denver. It is not well known, so you are not likely to encounter any other people on the hike. You will get great views of southwest Denver, and have a fun / challenging 1/2 day. This is not a particularly well marked trail, and there is some very steep and loose areas. Do not attempt unless you are...
Mountain bike ride near Golden, CO
This is a description of the Centennial Cone trails minus the Elk Range trail (it is closed from Winter to mid June due to elk calving). For a full Centennial Cone ride description, please see my Centennial Cone guide. Drive 8 miles up Golden Gate Canyon Road. Turn left at the Centennial Cone sign, and go about 2 miles to the trailhead parking, north...
Mountain bike trail west of Golden, CO
This is a relatively new trail that opened several years ago. It is about 10 miles west of Golden yet seems to be far more remote than its proximity to Golden. It offers great views over Clear Creek Canyon. Although not a technically difficult trail, there are some steep drops off of the trail where you may get hurt if you aren't paying enough attention...
A gentle hike with spectacular red rock views
Roxborough State Park is a true natural gem, conveniently located in Southwest Denver. The park is one of the best places near Denver to encounter wildlife. The highlight of this hike will be the dramatic views of the red rock formations angling skyward. This trail offers some of the best views in the park, and is less crowded than the fountain valley...
Follow the beautiful South Boulder Creek past grazing cattle and spot wildlife of all kinds on this marvelous trail.
It's not easy being a trail on the edge of America's most fit community. You get a lot of use. But it's not just humans that make this trail popular. Critters of all sorts populate South Boulder Creek and its companion trail. It's not unusual to see deer, coyote, dogs, cows, geese, and many smaller birds. On this particular trip, the author of this...
Classic ride west of Boulder, CO
This is a classic ride west of Boulder, CO. It is mostly intermediate with some advanced sections. Follow Flagstaff Road for about 7.5 miles from Boulder and you will come to the Walker Ranch Loop Trailhead. But since I am based in Denver, I will describe the directions from the Crescent Meadows Trailhead off of Gross Dam Road. To get to the trailhead...
Indian Creek & Stevens Gulch Loop from Highway 67 West of Sedalia.
The Indian Creek (trail 800) to Stevens Gulch Loop can be done via mountain bike, distance run, or hiking. On the bike, it is not a ride for beginners and is best clockwise. A KMZ file is available down on the right under "Other Resources" for Google Earth users and for export to other platforms. To get to the trailhead, take Highway 85 to Sedalia...
A Castle Rock Classic
This 1.5 mile trail is a great example of the ecology and geography of the Castle Rock area. It offers much of the same experience as the nearby castlewood canyon with out the crowds. This trail is fun and there is beauty to be found here, however, I wouldn't drive more than 30 minutes to visit this trail. The trail climbs to the western rim of the...
Where Denver’s Cherry Creek Ran Wild
The headwaters of Cherry Creek lie in the low hill country about 35 miles south of Denver. The creek is an important source of water for the farms and ranches between Castlerock and Denver, and eventually flows into the Cherry Creek Reservoir on Denver’s east side. One hundred twenty years ago, in 1890, local farmers arranged to have a dam built across...
A "must do" hike to the area's only working fire lookout
Devils head is a distinct granite rock outcropping in the front range west of Castle Rock. The outcropping is clearly visible from Castle Rock to Woodland Park. The outcropping is also home to the only fire lookout, in Colorado, that is staffed by the National Forest Service. This grants it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. It should...
Enjoy biking, hiking, or horseback riding on the Wapiti and Ponderosa Loop Trails at Heil Ranch northwest of Boulder.
Boulder has not been voted America's #1 Outdoor City for nothing. Heil Valley Ranch Open Space is one of the many reasons for Boulder's worldwide reputation. Although the name of this guide is Heil Ranch, the two trails featured here are the Wapiti Trail and the Ponderosa Loop trail. Together, they form what is known as a lasso trail. This trail...
10.6 mile trail near Evergreen, Colorado
Mt. Evans - Resthouse Meadow Trail is about 10.6 miles long and located near Evergreen, Colorado. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a full day. My 1st hike in Colorado. Was in the Mt Evans Wilderness. Great hiking area. Due to the altitude this hike kicked my butt!
3.1 mile trail near Ninetyfour, Colorado
James Peak Lake is about 3.1 miles long and located near Ninetyfour, Colorado. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. Great short hike with spectacular views of James peak, with an awesome hike around James peak lake!
Mix of easy and difficult terrain. Popular hiking area.
Lesser used area is entirely land locked by private property except where forest road enters between houses. Fun, challenging terrain. Great views from top of Miller Rock. Popular hiking area. Good for unlicensed vehicles except no place to park at start. Drive in 0.1 miles to small spot. Trail is open all year, weather permitting. You can exit through...
Colorado Butte With a Beautiful View
Just east of the Rampart Range section of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains the plains limestone buttes rise randomly across the plains. One of the largest of these rocky islands is Spruce Mountain, situated west of I-25 and north of the small town of Palmer Park, CO. Spruce Mtn. provides a delightful opportunity to enjoy views of Pikes Peak, Rampart...
15.6 mile trail near Meeker Park, Colorado
Longs Peak / Chasm Lake is about 15.6 miles long and located near Meeker Park, Colorado. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a full day. Nice challenging, yet very rewarding hike! I started the hike at 5:05 A.M. and summited at 8:19 A.M. This is far from the recommended time frame that should be allowed to summit and return due to drastic...
