Outdoor Project

The Mule Deer Trail at Golden Gate State Park is an excellent ride to get away from the crowds and be by yourself. This park sees a fair amount of travel on the main roads and at campgrounds, but the outer-loop trails are virtually untouched. Be sure to bring your pump and plenty of water as you might not see anyone the entire time you're out. Golden Gate State Park also features fishing, backcountry camping, horseback riding, natural springs, historic landmarks, and much more.

A favorite ride in the Evergreen area, the Elk Meadow and Bergen Peak Loop has a little something for everyone. From the ride through the expansive meadows at the base of the mountain to the grueling uphill climb to the peak, it's no wonder this is a popular destination in the Front Range.

The first part of the ride begins with the lovely tour through the Elk Meadow before the ascent uphill. These paths are well-traveled by both people and elk, so keep an eye out early or late in the day and you might see a herd grazing near the trail.

Donut Falls is a short hike with a big payoff. Just under three-quarters of a mile of easy hiking brings you to a unique waterfall that plunges through a hole in the rock and into a small cave. The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. The stream and drainage the route follows are known as Mill D South Fork. The alphabetical naming system for the side canyons in Big Cottonwood Canyon originated in the 1850s, when sawmills were built at the mouths of each drainage.

Among the countless jewels in Colorado's treasure chest, Radium Hot Springs shines particularly bright. These hot springs are situated right on the Colorado River just 15 miles southwest of Kremmling and less than an hour north of Edwards.

With an elevation profile that looks like an electrocardiogram and a 5,600-foot total elevation gain over the 12-mile hike, climbing the 14,005-foot Mount of the Holy Cross is not for the faint of heart.

After traveling a little over 8 miles on Notch Mountain Road, the North Ridge route begins at the Half Moon Trailhead. A 1.5-mile climb to tree line takes hikers over Half Moon Pass, where a 1,000-foot descent down to East Cross Creek awaits. This is where hikers get their first look at Mount of the Holy Cross.

The least technical route to the summit of Mount Shasta begins at the Clear Creek Trailhead. You will need to register for your climbing permits at the ranger station in Mount Shasta prior to arriving at the trailhead.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is known primarily for its geothermal and volcanic sites. The park itself is home to all four types of volcanoes: cinder cones, lava domes, shield volcanoes, and composite volcanoes. From these active volcanic areas also emerge the geothermal areas.

Ferguson Canyon might be the ultimate hike for east Salt Lake residents. You will not find many other places that are so close to town, allow dogs, have good rock climbing, amazing city views, and are steep enough to make it a daily exercise routine. The trail is sheltered by large trees most of the way, keeping exposure to a minimum. During the early summer when the rivers are flowing, dogs and people alike find the various hidden swimming holes just off the trail. Large granite walls hug the trail at several points and give rock climbers lots of great options to get vertical.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park campground is perhaps the ideal base for exploring the Whistler-Pemberton section of the Sea-to-Sky corridor. It features 94 campsites on a plateau overlooking the Green River, beyond which the towering west flank of Mount Currie looms large. To the south, a short 1.5 kilometer-walk upstream takes you to an impressive waterfall. To the north, One Mile Lake has swimming, bike, paddleboard, and canoe rentals; you'll also find a concession stand and a large mountain bike trail network.

Ruth Lake is a fun little hike high in the Uinta Mountains that is the perfect place for people who are new to backpacking. With only a short, 0.8-mile jaunt to the lake, it is a great place to get used to hiking with a full pack for an overnight camping trip away from the car. The elevation gain is minimal, but you still get to see the open meadows and views we all come to expect in the Uinta Mountains. There are primitive camping sites up on the left (eastern) side of the lake as you approach. Make sure you walk around to the far side of the lake to get the views of Hayden Peak above.