Hey Denver Folk

[johnjohn320]

Just moved here. Can you guys tell me how to get to some decent hiking spots for a novice? Obviously, the mountains are there, so I'm assuming I'll just drive towards them for awhile. But if you have any particular recommendations of cool spots for a newbie to go venture off on foot, I'd love to hear how to get there and get started!

 

[OdiN]

What type of hiking are you looking for? How hard?

What elevation did you move from?

Some hikes I would recommend:

Dream Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle - Go there for sunrise.

Roxborough State Park is very near Denver, and has some cool rock formations.

Hanging Lake is a cool place to go, it's up the I-70.

If you ever want a hiking partner, I enjoy hiking and go when I can, have a park pass. There are TONS of trails in RMNP.

 

[johnjohn320]

Thanks for the tips. As I said, I'm a newbie, so I'd be looking for some pretty simple stuff to start. I've never been up in the mountains before, etc.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Go out to Golden to the Open Spaces park, take a hike up to Lookout Mountain.

Then buying a CO hiking guide.

 

[OdiN]

Where did you move from?

This is important - we have some high elevations here and you could easily get altitude sickness. One of the first signs is headaches, so if you get a headache, take it easy and drink lots of water. You will dehydrate quicker at higher altitude. A lot of the hikes in RMNP are 8,000 ft. plus starting elevation.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
Just moved here. Can you guys tell me how to get to some decent hiking spots for a novice? Obviously, the mountains are there, so I'm assuming I'll just drive towards them for awhile. But if you have any particular recommendations of cool spots for a newbie to go venture off on foot, I'd love to hear how to get there and get started!

the hikes that everyone here does are the "14ers" - these are the 14,000+ ft peaks in the state, of which there are 54. so usually everyone has a "checklist" of them that they try to summit.

there are also a bunch of centennial "13ers" that are popular.

in immediate vicinity of the city you can go to Bierstadt (easiest), Evans, etc.. Longs is also close but it is difficult

for those who never hiked before , or have not been in high elevation , its usually not a problem unless theyre really out of shape (play WoW all day). really if you have standard fitness its no problem. just remember to hydrate more than normal.

obviously, you will need some gear - hiking boots, a hydration backpack (to carry rain jacket, food, etc). some hiking poles are nice.

the easiest thing is head to the Mega-REI store near downtown that can provide tips, maps, advice, etc etc etc

when I have time - and its not that often - i hike with a bunch of groups over at www.meetup.com - all of the people so far are extremely cool bunch. typically we meet at a park-n-ride somewhere, and carpool as a group out to the mountains for a half to full day of hiking. groups range from a few to 10/15 people. i recommend you check it out

 

[EagleKeeper]

I beg to differ regarding altitude.

Transitioning from below 500-1K to the Denver altitude is doable.

Walking around at 7-8K feet can wind you very quickly if you are not used to it.

 

[LS21]

i cycle for fun, so your mileage may vary. of course, different people have different reactions to high altitude

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: OdiN
Where did you move from?

This is important - we have some high elevations here and you could easily get altitude sickness. One of the first signs is headaches, so if you get a headache, take it easy and drink lots of water. You will dehydrate quicker at higher altitude. A lot of the hikes in RMNP are 8,000 ft. plus starting elevation.

I moved from Indiana.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
I beg to differ regarding altitude.

Transitioning from below 500-1K to the Denver altitude is doable.

Walking around at 7-8K feet can wind you very quickly if you are not used to it.

Beg to differ regarding what?

Nobody said it wasn't doable, just that there are some things to be aware of about the altitude of many of the hikes here - not the city altitude.

Altitude affects different people differently, so it's just good to be aware of.

I relocated to CO from 240 feet ASL (CA) and for me I didn't even notice anything....but I hiked in the Sierras regularly.

 

[George P Burdell]

I'm touristing in the area right now. Went to Bear lake three days ago and hiked up to something I forgot the name of. Anyway, while the hike was nice, the change in elevation and thin air didn't do me much good.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
I'm touristing in the area right now. Went to Bear lake three days ago and hiked up to something I forgot the name of. Anyway, while the hike was nice, the change in elevation and thin air didn't do me much good.

Haha...well there is Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake on one trail off of Bear Lake. You can also hike to Alberta Falls from there, as well as Bierstadt Lake, Lake Haiyaha and the trail up to Hallet Peak / Flattop Mountain I believe also comes off of there, so.....also Glacier Gorge trailhead there with lots of places that can go to - Mills Lake, Andrew's Glacier...

Was it another lake?

 

[caspur]

Down in the Springs here. we are a bit higher at about 6k feet, but you can hike a lot of "tourist" type trails or just do a walk around downtown or Manitou springs, Garden of the Gods, etc. without any significant elevation changes. Its scenic without being strenuous.

You probably won't notice any altitude effects until you get to the 10k feet and above range. It the dryness that gets you the first two weeks or so. Nose bleeds, etc. Drive to the top of Pikes Peak, (about 2 hours from Denver) and run around a bit. Then you'll feel altitude sickness.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: caspur
Down in the Springs here. we are a bit higher at about 6k feet, but you can hike a lot of "tourist" type trails or just do a walk around downtown or Manitou springs, Garden of the Gods, etc. without any significant elevation changes. Its scenic without being strenuous.

You probably won't notice any altitude effects until you get to the 10k feet and above range. It the dryness that gets you the first two weeks or so. Nose bleeds, etc. Drive to the top of Pikes Peak, (about 2 hours from Denver) and run around a bit. Then you'll feel altitude sickness.

Do some jumping jacks up there heh.

 

[syee]

Originally posted by: caspur
Down in the Springs here. we are a bit higher at about 6k feet, but you can hike a lot of "tourist" type trails or just do a walk around downtown or Manitou springs, Garden of the Gods, etc. without any significant elevation changes. Its scenic without being strenuous.

You probably won't notice any altitude effects until you get to the 10k feet and above range. It the dryness that gets you the first two weeks or so. Nose bleeds, etc. Drive to the top of Pikes Peak, (about 2 hours from Denver) and run around a bit. Then you'll feel altitude sickness.

Oh yea...I remember driving up there. My fingertips turned blue and I had some pretty bad-ass headaches when we were nearing the top and that's after living in Denver for about 2 years.

If you're not used to the altitude and don't want to drive it, there's the cog railway that takes you up to the summit.

 

[Abe Froman]

When I was in Denver for a bachelor party, we went hiking at St. Mary's Glacier. It's beautiful, and I would highly recommend it if you aren't looking for anything too extreme, but amazing scenery.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: Abe Froman
When I was in Denver for a bachelor party, we went hiking at St. Mary's Glacier. It's beautiful, and I would highly recommend it if you aren't looking for anything too extreme, but amazing scenery.

I checked out some weblinks on that, sounds promising! Reasonably close and easy to get to, easy hike, the pictures look very nice. Maybe this will be my first excursion...

 

[LS21]

leaving for a cabin tomorrow in breckenridge... this area rocks!

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: OdiN
What type of hiking are you looking for? How hard?

What elevation did you move from?

Some hikes I would recommend:

Dream Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle - Go there for sunrise.

Roxborough State Park is very near Denver, and has some cool rock formations.

Hanging Lake is a cool place to go, it's up the I-70.

If you ever want a hiking partner, I enjoy hiking and go when I can, have a park pass. There are TONS of trails in RMNP.

Agreed. Very scenic, and fun but not overly challenging for the uninitiated. There are some good spots around Evergreen too...can't remember specifics though...some park I've ridden through a couple times...Three Sisters maybe?

I've also pulled over at the stops at the top of Loveland pass and hiked up to the peak. That's definitely a good view*.

*Experience may vary depending on weather.

 

[Zedtom]

September is a fantastic time of the year to take day trips into the mountains. There are many great places to hike, but I will give you my advice for hiking.

Never hike alone, if you get hurt you might have to wait a long time for help even if you have a phone. Take a backpack and put in a warm coat, socks, etc. I have started hikes up Grays and Torreys Peaks in shorts and t-shirts and had a winter skijacket and woolen hat and gloves on by the time I reached the top. Remember to bring some Powerbars or GORP to replenish yourself as well as water.

Get up there and experience what everyone wants to see when they live here.