Hiking has always been a favorite activity of mine. I can think of no greater peace than walking through the woods listening to the birds twitter and the leaves rustle. I can think of nothing more exciting than getting to see and smell the last Wild Rose of the season. Many times I have heard the arguments against hiking: “It’s so boring; there are just so many other cooler things to do; no one honestly likes hiking, all you do is walk or suffer.” I feel sorry for all of these hiking naysayers, yet I also feel inspired to take each and every one of them on a hike with me so that they might discover the pure joy, beauty and excitement that hiking can offer. Without leaving the front range it is possible to encounter neon blue dragonflies, watch peregrine falcons soar on high searching for food, take a journey back into the age of the dinosaurs and most importantly, you can very easily escape from the rush and noise of your daily life. In just moments it is possible to leave behind the sound of the television and video games and a world that revolves around silly bracelets, soccer practice, swim lessons and school projects.
In my mind, fall is one of the most enjoyable times to be out on the trails. As the days shorten and the temperatures begin to cool off, the front range undergoes a magical transformation. As you make your way westward varying shades of gold begin to dominate the scenery. The trees, the grasses and flowers all seem to have undergone this metamorphosis. Fortunately, for those of us who are so lucky to live along the front range, there are a great variety of opportunities to get out and explore this golden landscape.
Hiking along the front range is not only varied, but also plentiful. There are hikes for all ages and all levels of fitness. Without afternoon thunderstorms and mind-bending heat to worry about you can shift your focus towards whether to want a heart-pounding hike that will leave you and your eleven year old tired but proud, or whether you want a peaceful nature walk for the whole family.
Chautauqua has a wealth of hiking that is perfect for everyone and also offers spectacular views of Boulder. You could easily spend an entire season wandering through each of the trails, gradually working your way up to some of the more strenuous hikes.
• The Royal Arch Trail is great for those who are looking for a pleasant morning hike with a moderate level of exertion. The arch at the top is the bonus that may provide the incentive necessary to keep some of the younger members of your party motivated-though if we’re being honest it is sometimes the adults who need it the most.
• Both Gregory Canyon and Flagstaff Trail are other options for good moderate hikes which can be accessed from Chautauqua.
If you are looking for something that will get the blood flowing and the lungs working,
• Bear Peak and Green Mountain are excellent options for a good day hike that is easily accessible. Bear Peak is also hiked during the summer by Avid overnighters at Camp Eden. Both peaks can be accessed from a variety of trailheads. You can take your pick between the Mesa Trailhead, NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) and Chautauqua. My personal favorite is to begin at the Mesa Trailhead and take Shadow Canyon up to Bear Peak. I won’t ruin the surprise, but make sure to keep your eyes peeled for some “shadows” of the past as you walk through the canyon. From the summit, you can either head back the way you came, or take the trail towards NCAR and loop back to the Mesa trail. For the peak-baggers out there, you could even continue along to South Boulder Peak, grabbing two eighters (mountains over 8000 feet above sea level) in one day!
If a nice relaxing walk sounds like it is more the style of your family, now is the perfect time to hike along the Mesa trail, which can be brutally hot during the summer months. Starting at the Mesa trailhead, you can walk past the remains of the Doudy-DeBacker-Dunn homestead. As you continue north along the trail you will find yourself weaving up and down golden hillsides with vistas of the Front Range keeping you company for as long as you choose to walk. Be sure to watch for mountain bikers as you make your way.
My favorite spot to visit along the front range is Eldorado Canyon State Park. The park is perhaps best known for its rock climbing, but the hiking, views and picnic potential should not be overlooked. The hiking, in particular, is very exciting with stone ruins from a mysterious fire atop the mountain, views of stunning sandstone cliffs and 1.8 billion years of geological history. Other State Parks in the Denver area, which are frequented by Avid4 Adventure Multi-sport Day Camp and 2-week Advanced Camp include,
• Chatfield State Park in Highlands Ranch
• Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood
• Cherry Creek State Park in Denver
The area around Golden is host to hikes that are both interesting and beautiful. For the amateur geologists out there,
• Dinosaur Ridge is the perfect afternoon sojourn. The area features dinosaur bones, dinosaur tracks, pleasant hiking and fascinating examples of geology along the Front Range. This short hike offers an interesting perspective on the use of lands by many different beings and the importance of preserving and protecting land for future use and enjoyment.
• The Beaver Brook Trail in Clear Creek Canyon offers a bit more of a wilderness experience. The trail runs east to west with views of the canyon and the Continental Divide along the way and can be made into a half-day or full-day hike.
If your child is avid for hiking and exploring the hillsides of the front range, you might consider one of our Primitive Skills Summer Camps. If you feel the bite of adventure, you might even check out our Warehouse Sale and head out on a hiking/camping adventure! If not, consider one of the Avid4 Adventure Family Trips, where we do the planning for you!
Now that you have an idea of where to go, it is time to get out on the trails. The weather is perfect, the colors are radiant and the paths are beckoning. It is time to break out the plant identification guides and see if your seven year old recognizes any of the plants they learned on hiking day over the summer. Now is your opportunity to test your ten year old to see whether they still remember all seven Leave No Trace Principles. You may-or may not- want to make sure your five year old hears them as well because they will be sure to point out any and all examples of leaving a trace seen along the hike. My final piece of advice is to take at least one, if not two, minutes of mandatory silence and enjoy all of the sounds of the natural world around you! (My trick for getting kids to do this is turning it into a competition: how many different sounds can be heard in such a short period of time and which was your favorite?)
Virginia Sanford is a veteran Avid4 staff and specializes in playing in the outdoors with our youngest campers. In her spare time, you'll find her climbing, hiking, writing, and traveling.
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