Day Trips Outside Denver (Fort Collins, Boulder: hotel, home, construction)

[jrlowreyva]

I'm flying to Denver next month with my teen daughter to go see a concert at Red Rocks. The first day will be spent up in Greeley, Loveland, and Fort Collins. Then we would like to do some exploring in the Rockies.

Our home base will be near Red Rocks and I'm looking for the best places to take her west of Denver.

We've previously been to Golden, Boulder, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

I'm intrigued by the area around Ward (Lake Isabelle, Blue Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Brainard Lake Recreational Area) but I see they have strict limits on visitors and you must reserve a spot based on a certain time. Since we're coming down from Fort Collins that day, I need to be a bit more flexible.

I've also got Boulder Canyon Drive, Panorama Point, Central City, and Mount Evans on the list.

I'd be willing to drive three hours from Fort Collins as long as it was taking me south and west of Denver so I could eventually make it back to the hotel in Red Rocks at a reasonable time.

We'd like to do some hiking if possible, but it seems like the best trails (Lake Isabelle, Blue Lake) might end up being all day things and we simply don't have time for that.

The day of the concert I'm thinking about hitting either the White Ranch Park East Trailhead, Lair O' The Bear, or Trading Post Trail.

Any recommendations on what we should see or do while there would be greatly appreciated.

[otowi]

I think you should also head south - maybe take a train up Pikes Peak and hit Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs or the Royal Gorge, etc. And south in the mountains - areas such as Buena Vista, maybe Cripple Creek, etc., are well within reach for a day trip I'd think.

[jrlowreyva]

Thank you. I forgot to mention we've already been to Pikes Peak and GotGs. I will add the other two. I appreciate the feedback.

[COcheesehead]

Go west on 285 to Staunton State Park just outside Conifer. Hike up to one of the falls, then do lunch south of the park in Sphinx Park at the Buck Snort Saloon. Those two would be a complete Colorado experience and you’ll never be more than 45 minutes from Red Rocks.

The Buck Snort is one of the oldest places still around.

http://thebucksnortsaloon.com/

[COcheesehead]

There are a bunch of beautiful places south and southwest of Red Rocks that are not too far of a drive, 30-60 minutes.
Reynolds Park https://www.jeffco.us/1429/Reynolds-Park
Roxborough SP https://www.colorado.com/state-parks...ugh-state-park
Devils Head Lookout https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psic...a/?recid=12927
Take Hwy 67 to Deckers
Wellington Lake. https://www.castlemountainrec.com/
Pike National Forest west of Palmer lake is a low use area and gorgeous. You can have lunch in Palmer Lake afterward.
If you are a little more adventurous, you can seek out Lost Creek Wilderness area. It’s unique rock formations are like from the land of the lost. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psic...a/?recid=37208

You don’t need to drive far from your home base to see lots of “classic” Colorado.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Devils Head Lookout https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psic...a/?recid=12927

Just a heads up, that awesome place is closed - not sure if/when it will reopen.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by otowi

Just a heads up, that awesome place is closed - not sure if/when it will reopen.

Bummer. From one spot you can see Longs Peak, Pikes Peak, South Park and almost all of the eastern plains. The fire lookout was sometimes manned and the gentleman would give you a tour.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Bummer. From one spot you can see Longs Peak, Pikes Peak, South Park and almost all of the eastern plains. The fire lookout was sometimes manned and the gentleman would give you a tour.

Yes, I've been there numerous times and always enjoyed the cool views and visiting the gentleman manning the tower.

[bluescreen73]

A few points and some suggestions:

1. Brainard Lake is the only place in the Indian Peaks where you need a timed entry permit.
2. Mount Evans Highway typically closes after Labor Day Weekend.
3. Lair o' the Bear is a pretty small park. It has less than 5 mi of trails. You can hike the Bruin Bluff loop in about 30 mins.
4. The hike to Elk Falls at Staunton is good, but long. The shortest route is 10 miles out-and-back.
5. The whole Devil's Head area is closed for construction through December 1st. The fire tower itself has been closed since 2019.
6. Roxborough is another solid choice. Dogs are not allowed (if you're bringing one).

Suggestions:
A lot of this will depend on when you're visiting, your experience and fitness level, and what types of things you want to see. If you're planning to hike on the weekend, most of these places will be packed to the gills (esp. Labor Day Weekend). I have a folder of hiking pics here. If there are any pics in there that tickle your fancy, let me know and I can tell you about the hiking there.

Mount Morrison
This really strenuous hike is actually on the edge of Red Rocks. There's a small parking lot just outside the gate for Entrance 4 (Titans Road). The hike is about 3.5 mi round-trip, but it's about 2,000' of vertical gain (and there's almost no shade). It's a grind all the way up. The first/last half mile is steep and slick in spots, and the final 1/4 mile to the summit has a few Class 3 moves. You get great views of Red Rocks along the way, and you can also see west to Mount Evans and south to Pikes Peak.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park
You can drive to Panorama Point or you can hike to it. You can make a loop from either the Ole Barn Knoll or Bootlegger's Bottom by taking the Mule Deer Trail to Panorama Point then continue on the Mule Deer Trail to Frazier Meadow where you'll take the Coyote Trail back to Bootlegger's Bottom. The Coyote Trail has a really steep spot just above Bootlegger's Bottom that's rocky, but the trail has awesome views of the Continental Divide. It's about 9 miles if you start from the Ole Barn Knoll, but you can take a mile or so off that by starting at Bootlegger's Bottom. Golden Gate Canyon State Park Trails

Roxborough State Park
The Carpenter Peak Trail will take you to the highest spot in the park (7200'). It's about 6.25 mi round-trip and around 1000' of vertical gain.

Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
I'd actually go here instead of Lair o' the Bear. It's only another 20ish mins west of Lair o' the Bear in Evergreen and it has ~15 miles of trails. You can make a loop to the top of Evergreen Mountain or you can hike the north side of the park and make a loop out of The Brother/Three Sisters area. You can climb up to the top of the North Sister fairly easily if you're into Class 3 scrambling.

Mount Galbraith
Situated just north and west of Golden along Golden Gate Canyon Road. This is a 4.5 mi hike that takes you around the top of Mount Galbraith. No dogs or mountain bikers to contend with, and you can take a social trail to the summit if you desire. Great views down into Golden, east to Downtown Denver, north to Longs Peak, and west to Mount Evans.

If you're looking to get above timberline, here are a few easy-ish 13er hikes.

Mount Flora
Easy to get to. Just drive to the top of Berthoud Pass. 6.5 mi out-and-back and just under 2,000' of gain. The hike starts on the southeast side of the parking lot and you're on the Continental Divide Trail all the way to the summit. The first mile follows a road that goes to the top of Colorado Mines Peak, and then the next 2.25 miles are on a well-worn single-track trail.

Mount Sniktau
Another easy one to get to. Drive to the top of Loveland Pass, and take the trail on the east side of the road. It's 4 miles and change out-and-back, and around 1,500' of gain. The first mile is a grind. You'll gain nearly 1,000' of elevation. When you get to the ridge at 12,950' hang a left. It's another mile (and a false summit) to the top of Sniktau. Once you get to the ridge you'll have great views of Torreys Peak (with Grays peeking out behind it). You can also see west to the Gore, Tenmile, and Sawatch Ranges.

Horseshoe Mountain
This one is a little more difficult to get to. It's just outside Fairplay on the rough Fourmile Creek Road. I wouldn't go on this road unless you have a car with decent clearance. Once you get past the Leavick Site it's just under a mile of really rocky terrain before you get to the turnoff for Horseshoe Mountain. It's an easy Class 1 hike that's mostly on mining roads. 8 mi and a little over 2,000' out-and-back with awesome views of the Sawatch Range, and you'll catch Capitol and Snowmass Peaks in the Elk Range on the summit of Horseshoe. Here's a route description. Horseshoe Mountain East Slopes. If you're feeling a little more adventurous it's only another mile or so up the same road to the trailhead for 14er Mount Sherman. Sherman is one of the "easiest" 14ers in the state. 5.25 mi out and back and about 2,000' of gain. Mount Sherman Southwest Ridge Route.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Bummer. From one spot you can see Longs Peak, Pikes Peak, South Park and almost all of the eastern plains. The fire lookout was sometimes manned and the gentleman would give you a tour.

Originally Posted by otowi

Yes, I've been there numerous times and always enjoyed the cool views and visiting the gentleman manning the tower.

Yup. Ranger Billy was always cool to talk to. He retired in 2019 at age 87 after 35 years manning the tower.