Colorado’s Staunton State Park is a hiker’s playground. Twenty-nine miles (48 km) of trails include easy loops around fishing ponds, 1200-foot (366 m) climbs to epic overlooks, and everything in between. So whether you’re partial to grassy meadows, waterfalls, or geological … [Read more...] about 14 Reasons to Hike in Staunton State ParkÂ
Jefferson County
South Valley Park Trails: Rocks, Ridges, and Ranch
South Valley Park hiking trails pass by and through prominent rock formations from different geological periods. Just minutes from a highway in the southwest corner of the Denver, Colorado metro area, take a walk on easy to moderate trails that used to be part of a cattle ranch. … [Read more...] about South Valley Park Trails: Rocks, Ridges, and Ranch
Hitting the Trails at North Table Mountain Park
The North Table Mountain Park trails go around a flat-topped mountain, up its steep sides, and wind through open grasslands on the mesa in Golden, Colorado. Surrounded by the city, it’s easy to get to, yet the summit feels remote. Jefferson County Open Space manages the sensitive … [Read more...] about Hitting the Trails at North Table Mountain Park
Hiking in Matthews/Winters Park Part 1: A Ghost Town and Red Rocks
The trails in Matthews/Winters Park pass through the remnants of the 1860’s settlement of Mount Vernon, wind around ancient red rock formations, and traverse the geologically significant Dakota Hogback. There is so much to say about hiking in Matthews/Winters … [Read more...] about Hiking in Matthews/Winters Park Part 1: A Ghost Town and Red Rocks
Hiking the Dakota Hogback: Matthews/Winters Park Part 2
Hiking up and across the Dakota Hogback on the east side of Matthews/Winters Park provides a good climb, views for miles, and a rocky route along an ancient ridge. This hike is so different from the trails in the western part of the park that I’ve dedicated a whole post to it in … [Read more...] about Hiking the Dakota Hogback: Matthews/Winters Park Part 2