Johnathan .Explorer

Horsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks can be found on the west side of Pikes Peak, so if you want to get away from the crowds and the city, put this trail on your to do list. Most of the trail runs through the forest, which makes this an excellent candidate for hiking in July and August when the summer sun is at it's highest and hottest. You'll be treated to ample shade throughout the duration of...

Kebler Pass near Crested Butte is a leaf peepers paradise considering that one of the largest groves of aspens in Colorado makes its home here. If you want those postcard views of rugged mountain peaks and vibrant aspens, then I recommend hiking the Dyke Trail to Dark Canyon loop. Put this on your Autumn To-Do list because it’s one of the best fall hikes around. This loop can be completed in ei...

The Fancy Pass Trail near Red Cliff is an excellent option for those looking to experience hiking in the rugged and pristine conditions of a wilderness area. This 6 mile roundtrip trail will take you into the Holy Cross Wilderness and up close and personal with towering peaks, verdant meadows, and the picturesque Fancy Lake. Summer in the high country doesn’t last very long, so this trail is ty...

Looking for a place near Denver to perfect your bouldering skills? Or are you wanting to get the whole family out, but not looking for an extreme/technical hike? Which ever question best describes you, Alderfer/Three Sisters Park is the perfect place to go.This Jefferson County Open Space Park has tons of rock formations for the climber to test his or her skills and areas where you can let the ...

The Three Lakes trail near Crested Butte is a great loop if you're looking to hit up a couple mountain lakes. At 4.5 miles with moderate incline, this trail can easily be knocked out in under 2 hours. It also is a great hike to admire fall colors as you'll get great views of the Ruby Range and the aspen groves below.The trail starts near the Lost Lake Campground, so if you're camping here then ...

The Ceran St. Vrain trail north of Jamestown offers the hiker a nice respite from the summer sun as this path runs through dense pine forests. The trail follows the South St. Vrain Creek for most of the way and follows moderate grades throughout. There is no official end to the trail, only that it joins with the 801-252 Jeep road. This is it's unofficial terminus, although some maps will show c...

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 too far from the city. The park is open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, so there ar...

Tower Arch is located in the remote Klondike Bluffs area in Arches National Park. If you're looking at the park map, you can see the unimproved Salt Valley Road that leads south then west from the main road towards Klondike Bluffs. The road is rough in a few places, but can easily be traversed in any passenger car (do not attempt to drive this road in wet weather, the sand washes make this road...

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 the south of the Buffalo Cabin Trailhead. Be advised that these two trails start at different trailhe...

Murphy Point, found in the Island In The Sky district of Canyonlands NP, takes hikers on a mesa that ends at an overlook with sweeping vistas over Murphy Basin, the White Rim, and Green River. If you're looking to get away from the tourists, then head to this quiet and often overlooked trail.The trailhead is right off the main road to Grand View Point and the parking lot is pretty small, so kee...

Platoro is the blending of the Spanish words "plata" (silver) and "oro" (gold), and this secluded mountain reservoir strikes it rich when it comes to outdoor recreation. In 1870, gold and silver was discovered in area, which lead to a small boom in 1913 and the settling of the small town which still stands today. The prospectors and mule trains may have left long ago, but today the area attract...

Roxborough State Park is one of the closest parks to the Denver metro area and is the perfect place to go if you're looking to experience the great outdoors without having to drive too far from the city. One of my favorite trails in the park is the South Rim Trail which takes you on an easy to moderate trail up a series of switchbacks to an excellent vista of the geologic formations and the va...

The Sawmill Trail to Fairy Forest is a loop hike near Breckenridge. Fairy Forest is CLOSED as of 2020 while work is done on the 4 0'Clock trail (source). This short shaded hike is perfect for families with children looking to experience nature without having to venture too far out of Breckenridge. Extend your hike to explore the hidden surprises of the Breckenridge Fairy Forest! If you brough...

When it comes to hiking trails in Boulder, the standard response usually consists of either Chautauqua Park or Mt. Sanitas, and while both offer excellent hiking options, they are both usually jam packed on the weekends. If you’re looking to stay close to the city, but want a little more seclusion, then check out Boulder County Open Space and hit up Walker Ranch. Although Walker Ranch is still ...

Bandelier National Monument encompasses over 33,000 acres of public land, including Frijoles Canyon, the home of the Ancestral Puebloans that once lived in the area. The park has miles of trails to explore the rugged countryside, but the main attractions are the cliff dwellings you'll find on the Main Loop Trail. This easy 1.2 mile hike along paved surfaces will take visitors to the archaeologi...

For this adventure, you'll be completing the Sawmill to Maverick loop. It is a short, but gentle trail that will take you through open meadows, to pine forests, and great views of Denver and Golden. Starting from the west parking area, cross the road and hit the Sawmill Trail. This trail starts out in a wide meadow that will give you a sweeping vista of Denver and Golden, on a clear day you mi...

Elk Meadow Park near Evergreen, CO spans 1,140 acres of open meadow and pine forests and has over 16 miles of managed trails by Jeffco Open Space. This park will give the visitor a diverse taste of ecosystems and terrain and is perfect for trail runners, families, or those seeking a quick excursion outside. One of the best ways to experience the park is to hike the main loop that traverses almo...

The Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park is a very easy trail that's perfect for those that want to enjoy the outdoors but not subject themselves to the rigors of climbing a 14er. This very well maintained trail is wide and flat and perfect for groups, families, or for taking visitors that might not be used to high elevation just yet.This self guided trail starts at the Visitors Cente...

We all love to live our weekends to the fullest, but say you're itching for an adventure and it's midweek with the weekend still a good 3 or 4 days away? South Valley Park is the place to go if you're looking for an after-work adventure or just don't feel like driving too far from the city. A short 30-minute drive away from downtown Denver, this Jefferson County Open Space park will take you th...

Drinks Canyon Camping Area is located just 6 miles up the Colorado River on Hwy 191 from Moab. This BLM managed campsite has 17 sites that are all first-come, first served. Just a short drive from Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Fisher Towers, and the surrounding BLM land, Drinks Canyon makes the perfect place to set up basecamp for your stay in the Moab area.Situated right on ...

Today, Lake Dillon is one of the biggest attractions in the Dillon Valley, attracting boaters, anglers, and campers. However, the large reservoir we know today was not the first one in the area.  The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which is now covered by the Lake Dillon Reservoir. You can hike to the original reservoir by taking this ...