Hall Ranch to Button Rock: One hike with a variety of terrain that I would suggest is in Hall Ranch Open Space in Boulder County. It starts out in low desert terrain and ascends into alpine meadows. We have never failed to see herds of deer whenever we go to Hall Ranch. A moderate hike would be to take the Night Hawk trail 4.7 miles to where it joins the Button Rock Preserve trail. A more challenging hike would be to hike the extra 2 miles to the Button Rock Reservoir for a round trip of 13.4 miles. You can always decide you’ve had enough at the 4.7 mile mark and cut the trip to a 9.4 mile hike. Toward the 4 mile mark you’ll see views of Longs Peak in the distance and it should still be snow-capped by June 7th. Grab a map at the trailhead.

This trail offers wonderful views of the canyon as well as the surrounding mountains and rolling hills of Parker and Franktown. To access the trailhead, enter at the west entry of Castlewood Canyon State Park and park at the first parking lot (the Lucas Homestead Historic site).

Take the Rimrock Trail (M). The trail begins with a gradual descend down to the canyon floor and across Cherry Creek then makes a gradual climb up the side of the canyon.

During the fall, the colors of the scrub oak and leaf trees are spectacular! There are beautiful views overlooking the canyon and all along the trail from the trailhead. It’s a pleasant hike with areas of scattered shade.

The trail leads to the Dam Ruins Historic Site; either return by the same trail (M) or hook up to the Creek Bottom Trail (G) which will take you back to the parking lot by way of the creek rather than the top of the canyon walls. Grab a map at the trailhead to guide you.

Note:You may also enjoy: Inner Canyon Trail, or Creek Bottom and Cherry Creek Trail.

A fun and beautiful hike at Castlewood Canyon State Park is the Inner Canyon Trail. A 1.16 mile trail that takes you down into the canyon and along the waters of Cherry Creek is a relaxing and refreshing hike. There is a moderate incline of the trail into and out of the canyon itself, but wooden stairs and a well maintained trail made it easy enough for our 4 year old to navigate.

The canyon walls tower above the trail once on the canyon floor and the trees and boulders offer spots of shade. Many will take the time to dangle their feet in the creek or let their dogs go for a swim.
We enjoyed this leisurely hike on a Sunday (10:00am) early enough to beat the crowds and the midday heat.
There are restrooms, picnic tables and grill pits available at the trail head.

You may also enjoy Cherry Creek Trail Creek Bottom Trail at Castlewood Canyon Park.

Bridge in Inner Canyon Trail

Inner Canyon Trail
Rimrock Trail
Cherry Creek and Creek Bottom Trail

In the beautiful town mountain town of Evergreen lies Bergen Peak at Elk Meadow Open Space Park. This is a popular hike spot for locals as well as vacationers. The trail offers easy access by car, ample parking and a variety of well-maintained trails. The trail that we enjoy with our family (Meadow View Trail connecting with Bergen Peak Trail) slowly ambles up the side of Bergen mountain above the expansive Elk Meadow that you will get glimpses of as you go.

The trail, shaded by huge Ponderosa Pines, offers views of the town below, Denver in the distance, Aspen tree stands, cool and lush ground coverage and the towering Bergen Peak. The climb is long and uphill with switchbacks taking you to the top of Bergen Peak – a hike well worth the effort. The top offers great views.

Some history about the area: Elk Meadow was a ranching area for cattle since the 1870’s and purchased by Jefferson County beginning in the 1970’s. Grab a map at the trailhead to take with you.

Picnic spot recommendations:
After hiking for about 35 minutes from Meadow View Trail and then onto Bergen Peak trail, and just off the side of the trail looking south, there are some beautiful views of the foothills – we like to picnic here. If you would prefer, there are also picnic tables near the parking area. Restrooms available at trailhead.

Chief Mountain Trail is one of the most exciting climbs from parking lot to summit. This is a very popular day hike due to its mountain beauty, convenience to Denver, and its relatively short length to the summit. You are sure to meet many fellow hikers along the way or merely relaxing at the top.

Just off Squaw Pass Road is a small parking area; pullover on the enlarged shoulder and park (mile marker 18). The trail head is on the opposite side of the road up the embankment. The trail is marked with a white stake. The trail gradually winds up through pleasant forest for half the hike up into alpine-like surroundings above tree line. As the trail comes out of the trees, the views of the surrounding mountains to the north and west appear. At the summit are huge granite outcroppings that you can climb for a spectacular 360 degree view of the foothills, valleys, and Rockies to the west!!

Mount Evans is a close neighbor to Chief Mountain and if you look closely, you’ll be able to see cars slowly moving up the Mt. Evans road (the highest paved road in the USA).

The end of the trail, at the top of Chief Mountain is ideal for picnicking with the family. There’s plenty of space to spread your feast – the atmosphere is great too!! Although there are usually many hikers, there is still plenty of space to eat with some privacy.
No restrooms available at trailhead or parking lot.

Spruce Mountain Trail is a 5.5 mile trail that offers a variety of terrain and views stretching from the eastern plains to Pikes Peak and around to the western Rockies. This hike is a pleasant, shady loop trail with some gradual climbing to the top of the bluff where the views appear and the trail becomes flat and easy.

This Douglas County Open Space, lowland, hike is perfect for those who don’t want to travel and hour to the mountains and/or great for spring and fall when the snow covers mountain trails. Being located fifteen minutes south of Castle Rock, this trail offers a fantastic hike close to home.

Spruce Mountain Trail begins at the trailhead on Spruce Mountain Road Parking lot; follow Spruce Mountain Trail to the upper loop, out to Windy Point and around to the trailhead (you could take the Oak Shortcut to lessen the distance; see map for your favored route).

It’s a good idea to take a map of the park with you because there is no map at the trailhead for direction. Print and take one with you! For the Douglas County Open Space Trail Map, click here.

This is one of several trails offered at South Valley Park (Jefferson County Open Space). From the south parking lot follow the Coyote Song Trail for 1.5 miles and connect with Swallow Trail at the north end of the park to loop around back to the southern trailhead for a easy/moderate 3 mile hike.

It is a red earthy, dusty trail that follows along the gorgeous rock cliffs of the hogback. It is reminiscent of southwestern Colorado with the high rock walls, the echoes of the birds, and the dry scrub oak along both sides of the trail. Huge red rock formations shoot up out of the green grassy fields all around this area.

This is a great trail for an easy hike close to home. It is barely 10 minutes from Littleton, yet quiet and lonesome in places.

Fall and spring are the best times to hike this trail. There is very little shade along this trail, so mid summer makes for a very hot hike. Restrooms available at the trailhead.

The history of the area: “In 1913, John Schaffer migrated to Colorado, purchased the property in the area and named it after his two sons, Kent and Carroll (Ken-Caryl). In 1926, Schaffer purchased the ‘south ranch’ from Frank Mann, the original landowner. The property continued to change ownership until 1971 . . . The surrounding area was an active cattle ranch until 1981. . .”

Located just five miles south of Castle Rock, Dawson Butte Ranch Park offers a five mile loop trail that is easy-moderate over rolling terrain and through beautiful trees and meadows.

The trail also offers views of Pikes Peak, Dawson Butte, Devil’s Head, and the front range mountains as it meanders through the woods and scrub oak below the butte.

The trail is well traveled and maintained with several benches along the trail where you can sit and rest awhile.

The elevation change over the course of the trail is about 200ft so it’s somewhat hilly but no strenuous or steep ascents.

The majority of this loop trail is nicely shaded by the huge pine trees. The trail does not loop around or up on top of Dawson Butte which is private property.

This hike is just perfect for those who want to hike but don’t want to make the one hour drive to the mountains. A very nice park trail for the whole family in the hills of Douglas County.

Repeated Black Bear Sightings at trailhead - Oct. 2011

I hiked this in 2005 and only just writing it up now, but I promise you I am not making anything up that I don’t remember!

There are a couple places to park when getting ready to climb Mt. Sherman. The first one is across the road from an old abandoned and broken down mining building. This is the one to start from if you want to hike the full 3000 vertical feet. If you don’t have that requirement to meet, then you can drive as far as the road goes and come to the parking area just in front of the metal gate at the trailhead.

Shortly after passing the gate you will begin to see some old mining equipment. There is a good bit of it along the trail at least near the beginning, and it’s interesting to see.

Make sure to follow the piles of rocks that indicate the trail but you can easily just follow the line of people up, depending on what day you are hiking. This is a popular hike!

There was snow in a few places when I was up there in early July. If you hike in late July or August it’s possible there will be none. Like every 14er, it’s a strenuous climb but this one does not require any climbing skills, just a good set of hiking boots will do the trick.