Hi, all! Welcome to Hikes & Happy Hours! Our intentions with this blog are to share the experiences we have at Hikes & Happy Hours events. These events include hiking and drinking, duh! Our goal is to create a social club of mutual interests in the Denver area.
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2019 is right around the corner--let it be something good. We're sure everyone has their long-term year goals, but have you thought about starting on the very first morning!? Over 25 Colorado state parks are hosting ranger-led hikes in the morning and afternoon on January 1, 2019. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, trying to spend more time outdoors next year, or anywhere in between, check out this list of First Day Hikes less than an hour from Denver!
Elk Meadow (30 min via I-70 W)
o 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
o Bring water, snacks, (snowshoes?) and dress for snow
o Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
§ Mueller
Castlewood Canyon (50 min via I-25 S)
o 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
o 3 hikes at varying difficulties in different locations
§ Lake Gulch
§ Creek Bottom
§ Canyon View
o 3 meeting points
§ Canyon Point
§ Visitors Center
§ Homestead Lot
o Park Office: 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown, CO 80116
o (303) 688-5242
Staunton State Park (50 minutes via I-70 W & US HWY 285 S)
o Meet at the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area
o 6 hikes:
§ Hike #1: The Ranch Loop- 5.25 miles, 9:30 am, easy
§ Hike #2: History and Geology- 4-5 miles, 10:00 am, moderate
§ Hike #3: The Search for Sasquatch- 7-9 miles, 11:00 am, moderate
§ Hike #4: Mystery History- 1.5 miles, 1:00 pm, easy
§ Hike #5: The Old Mill Hike- 6 miles, 10:00 am, moderate
§ Hike #6: Hike to Beautifully Frozen Elk Falls- 11 miles, 9:30 am, moderate-difficult
o Cookout with hot dogs, s’mores, coffee, and hot chocolate
Golden Gate Canyon State Park (45 minutes via I-70 W & Golden Gate Canyon Rd)
o 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
o 2 hikes:
§ Black Bear Trail
§ Mule Deer Trail
o Meet at visitor’s center at 9:00/9:30 am (be on trail by 10:00 am)
o Snowshoes or Yak Tracks recommended
o Sign up prior at (303) 582-3707
Cherry Creek (20 min via I-25 S)
o 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
o Bird watching walk along Vaughan Way Trail
o Start at campground
o Minimum age of 5
St. Vrain (30 min via I-25 N)
o 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
o Around Pelican Pond
o 2 miles
o Meet in Blue Heron parking lot
§ 3525 State Highway 119, Firestone, CO 80504
Homestead (35 min via US-6 W & US Hwy 285 S)
o 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
o Bring water, snacks, (snowshoes?) and dress for snow
o 2.5 miles with Naturalist Penny
o Meet at Homestead Trailhead
§ Mueller
Plum Creek Nature Trail (40 min via US-85 S/S Santa Fe Dr)
o *NEW*
§ First public view until Spring 2019
o 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
§ First hike meets at 9:00 am
§ Second hike meets at 11:00 am
o Hot chocolate and donuts provided
o Meet at the Heronry parking lot next to the park office
§ 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO 80125
§ Enter Chatfield State Park through the SE entrance on N. Roxborough Park Road off of Titan Road (NOT Wadsworth Blvd.), follow the main road to the dead end and turn right towards the park office to the first parking lot on the left
o Contact Ranger Kallie McIntyre for questions or concerns- kallie.mcintyre@state.co.us
Barr Lake (30 min via I-76 E)
o 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
o Spotting scopes will be set up for use during hike
§ Great opportunity to view bald eagles
o Meet at the nature center for hot cocoa, snacks, and crafts
§ 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton, CO 80603
o RSVP required: (303) 659-6005
Outlook Ridge (35 min via US-6 W & US Hwy 285 S)
o 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
o Bring water, snacks, (snowshoes?) and dress for snow
o 2 miles with Naturalist Craig
o Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
§ Mueller
Eldorado Canyon State Park (45 min via US-36 W & CO-170)
o 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
o Fowler Trail- 1 mile, easy
o Ages 5+, no dogs
o Followed by hot chocolate at visitor’s center around a fire
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