RANGERS RECOMMEND 10 AREA WINTER HIKES
10 winter trails around Denver that rangers recommend – from snow-packed adventures to sunny, dry treks
You glance at the closet and see your hiking boots, begging for a chance to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. But it’s wintertime, you tell them. Surely this isn’t the time to hike. Everyone has their favorites, places that are terrific year-round, like Chautauqua. But it’s good to get a fresh take once in a while. Rangers, hiking groups and others who know the trails well pitched in for this list of 10 trails to tackle in the winter. Some of these routes are guaranteed to be snowy. Others are sun-soaked trails that usually dry out after a storm. Some are steep, some are an easy stroll. All will please those fussy hiking boots of yours. Here are 10 trails to check out around Denver and beyond.
Upper Beaver Meadows Rocky Mountain National Park Level: Easy Trail recommendation: The 3-miles round-trip Upper Beaver Meadows Road follows along a road that is part asphalt and part dirt. It walks along an open meadow that offers great views of the Continental Divide and a chance to see wildlife at a distance. This is the time to pull out those handy-dandy binoculars I know all of you have. It has minimal elevation gain. Additional notes: Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said the parking pullout area is easily accessible off U.S. 36.
Hall Ranch Lyons Level: Moderate to difficult Trail recommendation: This hike’s a sunny route into the foothills. The climb up the Bitterbrush Trail makes for a good workout. Head out on Bitterbrush for 3.7 (one way) hike to the Nelson Loop, where you can take in big views of Longs Peak. You’ll tackle a nearly 900-feet change in elevation along the way, and there’s an option to extend the hike. Additional notes: You’ll be sharing the trail with mountain bikers much of the way. For people looking for an extra challenge, take the Bitterbrush trail to the Nelson Loop, then connect to the bike-free Nighthawk Trail to
head back to the parking lot. Nighthawk is mostly downhill. Total distance: 10 miles. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Commerce City Level: Easy Trail recommendation: The open, sunny trails here (mostly) dry out quickly in the winter, says Chris Englert, who gives weekly urban hike suggestions on her website eatwalklearn.com. And hiking here means you might spot the bison herd during your visit so you have another chance to dust off those binoculars. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and other wildlife, too. Just think of all the “I spy” potential. Additional notes: There are several short grassland, wetland and woodland trails that can be combined for a longer hike of roughly 4.5 miles, depending on your route, on mostly flat terrain. Take the 1-mile Legacy Trail from the visitor center to the Lake Mary Loops Trail. Head left if you want to spend more time along the lake; the trail even heads onto a floating boardwalk. (Or keep right to avoid the boardwalk.) Add mileage by connecting with the Lake Ladora loop. To avoid all boardwalks, take the Prairie Trail. South Valley Park Littleton Level: Easy Trail recommendation: This one’s for a snowy day. Take the Coyote Song Trail to Swallow Trail for a combined loop of about 2 miles that have sweeping views of the valley and of red rock formations peeking out from the snow. Additional notes: Jefferson County Open Space spokeswoman Katie Matthews said the area is fairly open with few trees, meaning the snow melts quickly and turns to mud.
Red Rocks Morrison Level: Easy Trail recommendation: Want to mix a winter hike with an outdoor stairs workout? Of course you do. Take the 1.4-mile Trading Post loops around the popular venue, checking out the rock formations. Denver Mountain Parks planner Brad Eckert said the trail is south-facing and has lots of sun exposure. We’ll leave it up to you to figure out how many times to do the stairs.
Herman Gulch Bakerville Level: Moderate to difficult Trail recommendation: This hike’s a good choice for a day when you have time to drive into the mountains a bit. The 6.5-mile hike is strenuous with about a 2,000-feet elevation gain. The last mile is above the treeline, giving beautiful views of the high peaks covered in snow. The trail ends at Herman Lake, which Colorado Mountain Club spokesman Jeff Golden said is a good spot to eat lunch. (I’d add that it’s also a prime location for an Instagram photo shoot.) Additional notes: Golden said any passenger vehicle can reach the parking lot and trailhead without four-wheel drive. Take Exit 218 off Interstate 70, not long before Loveland and the Eisenhower Tunnel.
Cub Lake Rocky Mountain National Park Level: Easy-moderate Trail recommendation: This is one of the park’s lower elevation hikes, but if the weather’s clear, you’ll have views of the snow-covered high peaks. The 4.8-mile round-trip Cub Lake hike has a 530-foot elevation gain. Hike through a meadow and hike up into a forested area scarred by the 2012 Fern Lake Fire. This route ends at ice-covered Cub Lake — but you could continue from here. Additional notes: Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said the area requires traction devices but doesn’t normally require floatation devices unless a hiker goes higher than the lake. Check trail conditions at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on your way in just in case. White Ranch Open Space Park Golden Level: Moderate Trail recommendation: You’re in the wilderness in winter, but the city’s right there — and you have great views of it. With plenty of loops to choose from, connect trails to your heart’s and feet’s content. Or, follow the advice of Katie Matthews of Jefferson County Open Space: Take the Longhorn Trail to the Maverick Trail to Belcher Hill Trail to Sawmill Trail. Additional notes: White Ranch Park is Jefferson County Open Space’s largest park with 5,224 acres. Matthews said to prepare for strong winds and bring winter traction devices — trail conditions are often icy here. She also strongly recommended a map to navigate the interconnecting trails. Mount Falcon Park Morrison Level: Moderate Trail recommendation: A hiker could make the Turkey Trot Trail and Castle Trail into a steep 3-mile loop that’s perfect if “somebody is looking for a butt-crusher,” Matthews said. They do say that summer bodies come from winter workouts. Expect some snow and ice along the way. Additional notes: The Turkey Trot Trail goes to the ruins of John Walker’s old home and has nice views of Denver. Star K Ranch Aurora Level: Easy Trail recommendation: Set out from the Morrison Nature Center and enjoy the sun while setting out on one of the park’s loops. Englert said a hiker can keep this short with a 1-2 mile loop or extend it up to 5 miles depending on where they get on and off the Sand Creek Greenway Trail.