Another walk on this path with my daughter, since she didn’t want to do anything difficult (= “strenuous”). It was a cilly day- just above freezing, but with a cold northwest wind that brought the wind chill down considerably. That part doesn’t bother her- like me, she hates hot weather.
This is a shot near the start of the walk. The bare trees are mainly cottonwoods.
Additional photos in the comments.6 months ago
The Beaver Brook Trail is one of the best near Denver. The trail (built by the Colorado Mountain Club almost 100 years ago) winds its way west from Golden on the south side of the Clear Creek canyon. Mountain bikes are prohibited and no roads are crossed in its total length of 8.65 miles/13.9 km. That’s pretty amazing considering that the eastern trailhead is just outside of the Denver metro area.
I normally hike the trail from the east trailhead for a couple of reasons. For one, it’s closer- about a 15-minute drive from where I work. But more importantly, when starting at the western trailhead you drop about 800’/240 meters into the canyon, which you then have to climb back out on your return! Although I’ve been hiking the eastern part of the trail since I first moved out here 28 years ago, I believe that I had only hiked the western section once before.
Additional photos in the comments.6 months ago
Since I was in the middle of my 700 mile/ 1200 km drive home from vacation (in one day, of course- I don’t like to waste any vacation time!) I didn’t want to do a long hike, but I had to do something while I was out in an area that I don’t get to visit often. I was planning on a hike near St. George, UT, but I couldn’t find the trailhead. Since I had only been to the Kolob Canyons section of Zion before I figured I could find something to do there, and it’s just off the highway so it wouldn’t take me too far out of my way.
I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t have done this without the annual national park pass that I have- entry to Zion NP is up to $25 now! Well worth it, but hard to justify for a couple hours :P
Additional photos in the comments.6 months ago
I almost missed doing the synchronized walk this day but luckily I was able to sneak in a short hike just before sunset. And what a wonderful walk it was! It turned out to be probably the most beautiful hike I did in Valley of Fire, one of Nevada’s best-known state parks. And this is a park that is particularly known for it’s scenery- check out that list of just some of the movies that have filmed there!
Additional photos in the comments.6 months ago
After a couple days of cold, nasty weather I was glad to see a cold, sunshiny day! ;) Actually, by the time we got going after lunch it was nearly perfect hinking weather- mid-50’s F (about 12 C) and sunny with just a light breeze. My daughter was with me so I decided to do something fairly close to home. She has done this hike before but it had been a while and she didn’t remember much about it. I hike at this park fairly regularly in the off season- there isn’t much shade so it isn’t a good mid-summer hike, but it’s low enough in elevation that it’s a good (and very popular) trip most of the rest of the year. This is a view southwest from just below the parking lot. The peak with the radio towers is Mt. Morrison. The flat bench below and to the left of the summit is our destination.
Additional photos in the comments.7 months ago
This hike was actually a last-minute decision. I had been trying to do a longer trail with a friend, but when she canceled out at the last minute I decided to do a hike shorter and closer to home. Chief Mtn. is one of the best hikes that fits that description :)
The very start of the trail, shown here, is one of the steepest parts of the trip! Still, it’s better than it used to be- when I first did this peak about 30 years ago this section of the trail headed straight up the hill. You can see that it’s been improved with some rocks for steps.
Warning for Julie & molliemoonlight- this post is going to mention that 4-letter “S-” word a few times- read at your own risk! ;)
Additional photos in the comments.7 months ago
in Az and went for a morning walk here. You know, the earlier the better in this extreme heat. It was our normal 3-mile loop around the area, but we did notice the new solar facility going up right at the end of our street. 7 months ago
Another nearby trail that I walked with my daughter. This is a trail that I used to ride my mountain bike on regularly several years ago when I was doing more riding because it was part of a nearby 20-something mile loop I did, about 90% of which was off the roads. I don’t walk it often because it has no shade, but even though the day was warm (low 80’s F/ about 28 C) it was cloudy so it wasn’t too uncomfortable.
Additional photos in the comments.7 months ago
For much of the time I’ve lived in Colorado I’ve been very close to this section of trail, but I’m a little farther away now so I haven’t walked it in a few years (although my regular bike ride includes the east end of this section).
It was another hot day and another synchronized walk with my daughter, who doesn’t want to do anything difficult (especially when it’s hot!). So I chose this one for an easy walk.
This is starting out at the west end of this section.
Additional photos in the comments.8 months ago
I knew that I was going on a longer hike the next day so I stuck to someplace close and easy for this one.
This section of the Clear Creek Trail is very close to me and I used to walk it very regularly. Not as much anymore, but I still get out on it a few times a year.
North of the creek the trail is concrete, but the older section south of the creek is mainly crushed gravel and is closed to bikes.
Additional photos in the comments.8 months ago
