Empire, Colorado

Hiking the Monarch Lake Loop in Granby, Colorado is amazing! If you have older children, this is a great place to take them out on the trial. Perfect weather in August of 50 degrees, You'll started at about 8345 feet of elevation and ended at 8950 feet. This is a very easy-moderate and great hike...

Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...

Eldorado Canyon Trail makes for a great day hike, with great views and a steady, challenging uphill – bring lots of water!For something shorter, try Streamside Trail (1 mile roundtrip), Fowler Trail (1.4 miles), or Rattlesnake Gulch (2.8 miles). Streamside, appropriately, leads you alongside a cr...

Begin on Staunton Ranch Trail for 3.3 miles. Switch to Bugling Elk Trail for the next 1.1 miles, then to Lion's Back Trail for the last mile to the overlook. From here, you can create the loop by backtracking to the Chimney Rock Trail, which then connects with the Elk Falls Trail. To head back to...

Starting at 7,600 ft this 1.35 mile (one-way) hike is the shortest, and by far the least strenuous, hike to summit one of Boulder's iconic peaks. Parking for this trail-head is available along the road a short drive, 4.5 miles, up Flagstaff Rd. The trail gently slopes along a ridge for the firs...

Lily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...

Starting at the Meadow Creek trailhead in Frisco, you'll find yourself ending up in East Vail at Gore Lake Trailhead. See all photos here.  The trail in Meadow Creek starts to climb at a gradual pace for the 3-4 miles, after a mile or so, take a look back upon the views of Lake Dillion. You'll ar...

From Jefferson follow 35 north to 54 and drive up 54 as far as possible ending a few miles before Georgia pass.  Depending on the snowpack and drifts on the unplowed road, you could hike as few as 5 miles round trip or as many as 10. If the snow blocks you from driving past Michigan Creek Campgro...

From here, you can choose a few different hiking paths. This out-and-back trek starts at the trailhead up and to the left. Along the way you'll pass a bench dedicated to Craig Luebben — a writer, photographer and climbing guide. At this point, you probably haven't even broken a sweat yet. It's ti...

The Betasso Preserve features two loop trails that are accessible to both hikers and mountain bikers.  Drive up (west) Boulder Canyon about 15 minutes outside of Boulder and turn right (north)  on Sugarloaf Dr.  After another 5 or so minutes you'll see a sign on the right-hand (northeast) side of...

Lost Gulch Overlook: Boulder's Premier Sunset & Mountain View Destination A short drive up the very steep Flagstaff Mountain brings you to incredible views spanning from the eastern plains to the jagged, snow-capped peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. Lost Gulch Overlook offers one of the...

This adventure crosses private property. Please do not attempt this adventure without permission from the property owner(s). Learn more JeffCO.US/1430/South-Table-Mountain-Park.  You can do this one-hour hike in every season, every temperature and at any time. The best part about this hike is th...

Just a short drive from Denver up US-285 sits Mount Falcon Park, a 2,248 acre open space park managed by Jefferson County. With over 12 miles of hiking trails and stunning views of Denver and the Front Range, this park is perfect for getting in a quick adventure when you don’t feel like driving t...

The Minnie Mine Loop in Breckenridge, Colorado, is a 1.5-mile scenic hiking trail that combines rich mining history with breathtaking views. As hikers explore, they pass by remnants of historic mining sites, including old equipment and structures, which give insights into the area’s 19th-centur...

Starting at just over 9,000ft the Meadow Creek trail follows the path of the similarly named Meadow Creek. Through a canopy of aspens and pines the trail climbs at a steady, moderate rate. After a few water crossings the trees give way to an alpine meadow that offer a view of the final approach t...

Starting at the Meadow Creek Trail head just off the turn off to Frisco this hike connects the stunning Eccles Pass and Gore Creek trails. Passing over Eccles Pass (11,917') and Red Buffalo Pass (11,742') this spectacular hike passes through dense forest, serene lakes and bubbling creeks. The V...