Jefferson, Colorado
Top Spots in and near Jefferson
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Boulder, Colorado
Green Mountain via West Ridge Trail
3.23 mi / 607 ft gainStarting 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...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf
4.51 mi / 400 ft gainTo get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too fa...Read more -
Castle Rock, Colorado
Run the Challenge Hill
5.00.6 mi / 200 ft gainThe Basics: The Challenge Hill, or as I like to call it, the Mini-Incline, is a shrunken version of its big brother to the south in Manitou. However, don't let its relatively small 200 stair count fool you - this hill is a serious workout! Located in Philip S. Miller Park, just one minute off I-2...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Watch Sunset from the Lost Gulch Overlook
From Boulder, drive west on Baseline road. Continue up for about 5.5 miles past the Flagstaff Summit (Realization Point) pull off. After some more steep and very tight switchbacks there will be a dirt parking lot on the north side of the road. From here you can head northwest towards the cliff...Read more -
Denver, Colorado
Washington Park Loop
2.34 mi / 72 ft gainWashington Park in located near Denver South High School is the perfect spot for a run, walk, or an afternoon picnic! This paved loop is just over 2 miles and offers up scenic views of both Grasmere Lake and Smith Lake. This is also a family-friendly destination with a playground for the kids and...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Lake Isabelle via Long Lake Trailhead
4.54.09 mi / 374 ft gainStart at the Pawnee Pass Trail No. 907 Trailhead. Long Lake is about 2 tenths of a mile and Lake Isabelle is 2 miles from the trailhead. Keep an eye out for moose grazing in the bushes or in the water near Long Lake. This is a 4 mile out and back hike with well marked trails. For an 8.75 mile hi...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Isabelle Glacier
5.08.62 mi / 1578 ft gainGetting There The trailhead can be reached from Boulder by driving west through Boulder Canyon on Highway 42 to Nederland, then going north on the Peak-to-Peak Highway 72 to the town of Ward. From there, a National Forest Sign on the west side of the highway provides directions to the ranger stat...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Snowshoe or Ski Lake Isabelle
10 miSpeechless. That’s how this hike will leave you. And not just because of its length. At over 10 miles, this snowshoe exploration is not for the faint of heart. But the language-defying beauty of this hike will make every sore muscle worth it.The Brainard Lake Recreational Area near Ward, Colorado...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Shoshoni Peak
5.010.61 mi / 2470 ft gainHike one of the most scenic 12ers in Colorado's front range, Shoshoni Peak, with an elevation of 12,967 feet. You can easily combine a summit of Pawnee Peak for wonderful views of multiple alpine cirques. Enjoy wonderful views of the Long Lake Valley, Isabelle Glacier, and Pawnee Pass regions. Fo...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Climb Apache Peak
10 mi / 3280 ft gainStart at the Long Lake Trailhead ($10 parking fee) and head up the trail towards Isabell Lake. You'll pass both Long Lake and Isabelle lake, with spectacular views at both. At Lake Isabelle, be sure to continue straight on the trail, further up the valley, not the right turn up to Pawnee Pass.Con...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Pawnee & Buchanan Pass Loop
5.026.98 mi / 6978 ft gainBefore you start your trip, get a camping permit from the Boulder Ranger Station. Plan to spend your first night in the Crater Lake BZ (Backcountry Zone), and your second in Buchanan BZ. If you're feeling particularly sedate, you can easily spend a third night in Coney Creek. Start early in the ...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Pawnee Pass and Pawnee Peak
5.09.95 mi / 2490 ft gainStart at the Long Lake trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation area (there's a fee to park, if you don't have a pass). Take the trail towards Lake Isabelle for a few miles, winding through forest and past Long Lake. Signage towards Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass is apparent. Just as you reach ...Read more -
Lone Tree, Colorado
Hike Bluffs Regional Park Trail
2.7 mi / 200 ft gainThis loop trail is 2.7 miles long but has several options for overlooks that add 0.8 miles to the trip. This is an easy hike with minimal elevation gain and is a great option for the whole family. Every time I've done this hike I've seen numerous deer which only adds to the hike!Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Shanahan Ridge Trail
4.03.84 mi / 715 ft gainStarting on the edge of a neighborhood in South Boulder, this 3.8 mile loop begins its 869 foot elevation gain by meandering through a pine forest. You can 'choose your own adventure' by exploring the handful of trails that meet up with the Shanahan Ridge Trail, such as the South Mesa Trail, Shad...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder's Skyline Traverse
5.014.77 mi / 4583 ft gainHave you ever reached the bottom of a hike with some friends and thought, 'That was nice, but I'd still like to hike more... a lot more.'? Then the Skyline Traverse is for you. Instead of hiking just Green Mountain or Bear Peak, the Skyline Traverse links South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak, Green Mou...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Hike to Mitchell Lake
4.04 miLocated in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Mitchell Lake is a good quick hike for an afternoon getaway. With just two miles to go till you reach the lake itself, it's easy for the whole family and the pups (the recreation area is super popular, so this is assuming the lots are full and you hav...Read more