Outdoor Project

Nestled high in the sub-alpine forest next to the Continental Divide, Brainard Lakes Recreation Area offers a wealth of wonder that shifts with the seasons. Most visitors come in summer when wildflowers bloom to enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, wildlife watching, and horseback riding. Temperatures are crisp during fall and spring when areas become open for hunting. Winter brings loads of snow, which is perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Roads close during winter, but the parking area at Brainard Gateway Trailhead remains accessible.

Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park can be frustrating for dog owners, as dogs are not allowed on any park trail. Taylor Mountain Trail is a National Forest trail that begins a stone’s throw from the center of the tiny town of Allenspark near the Wild Basin entrance to the park and not far from Olive Ridge Campground. The trail is frequently used for trail rides by the stables in Allenspark, and bikes are also allowed (but no motorized vehicles).

Diamond Lake is a pristine natural reservoir carved out by millennia of slow glacial movement and filled by meltwater. It is one of many similar lakes in this region of the Rocky Mountains west of Boulder, Colorado, but this one makes for a particularly scenic hike of moderate length and difficulty. Highlights of the trail include wildflowers, waterfalls, wildlife, and, of course, the lake itself.

The behemoth red and orange towers that jut from the foothills of the ancient Rocky Mountains are an impressive spectacle and a must-see on a Colorado itinerary. The Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark represents a rich slice of Native American, Western, and geological history, and its unique perch between the Great Plains and the foothills gifts it a varied and interesting ecology.

The geological history of this National Natural Park is as rich and varied as an epic novel, and there is an ecological variety to match. Deeply rooted in Native American, western, and world history, this marvel naturally attracts large crowds–and for good reason. The boundless recreational opportunities with a breathtaking backdrop steeped in a rich history are well worth a day trip.

Mount Evans is one of Colorado’s 14ers, and it is accessible via a 14-mile drive that starts at 10,600-foot Echo Lake and ends very near the summit at 14,140 feet. Managed by the Forest Service and finished in 1930, this is the highest paved road in the country. Some people bike up the road, but most drive, and visitors can enjoy several beautiful hikes along the way. With great views of glacial lakes, alpine flowers, and wildlife, it makes for a wonderful day adventure –but be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

The Wedgemount Lake Trail is essentially a 7-kilometer staircase. Climbing more than 1,200 meters in such short distance is a tough cardio test for most casual day hikers, and the descent will leave many visitors with shaky legs and angry knees. This hike is not only for the masochists, however; the scenery at the top is well worth the prerequisite pain and suffering.

The Fruita Trail network is like an amusement park for bikes. There are twisty, flowing single-tracks and outrageous rides throughout the surrounding foothills of the Bookcliffs.

The 18 Road Mountain Bike Trails are a wonder of western Colorado nestled at the base of the Bookcliffs just outside Fruita.

Along with several other wonderful trails, the hike to Long Lake, Lake Isabelle, and Pawnee Pass starts at Brainard Lake Recreation Area just an hour's drive from Boulder. At 9 miles round-trip with just over 2,000 feet in elevation gain, this is a moderate hike that passes through subalpine forests, alpine lakes, and offers fantastic views of the Indian Peaks and the tundra above the tree line.