Backpacker magazine recently listed “America’s Best Day Hikes,” including the “best of the Rockies.” Many of their entries were worthy suggestions (Mount Sherman for best alpine view, Wyoming’s Lamar Valley for best wildlife), but I started thinking about my own favorite day hikes that are closer to home. These trails are perfect for families, and none of them require a day-long commitment.Best wildflowers:
Aiken Canyon Preserve (4 miles, loop trail, easy). The plains meet the mountains in this quiet little preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy. This is the best time of year to hike the trail that’s bordered with a crazy quilt of wildflowers (my favorite is the scarlet paintbrush). Watch for rattlesnakes, black bears and foxes here as well, and don’t step on a lizard. The preserve is open year-round, dawn to dusk, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
(On Colorado Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs; for more information,
www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/colorado/preserves/art517.html
Best view: Devil’s Head (2.8 miles round trip, moderate). Steep but short, this trail winds uphill through stands of aspen and pine and deposits hikers at the last remaining lookout station in the Pike National Forest. More than 100 metal steps lead to the station, where you’re rewarded with a 360-degree view of the forest and mountains that spread out at your feet. On a clear day, you can see 100 miles in all directions. The station is only staffed from mid-May through Oct. 1. (Off Rampart Range Road; for more information, www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/spl/devils_head.shtml)
Aiken Canyon Preserve (4 miles, loop trail, easy). The plains meet the mountains in this quiet little preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy. This is the best time of year to hike the trail that’s bordered with a crazy quilt of wildflowers (my favorite is the scarlet paintbrush). Watch for rattlesnakes, black bears and foxes here as well, and don’t step on a lizard. The preserve is open year-round, dawn to dusk, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
(On Colorado Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs; for more information,
www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/colorado/preserves/art517.html
Best view: Devil’s Head (2.8 miles round trip, moderate). Steep but short, this trail winds uphill through stands of aspen and pine and deposits hikers at the last remaining lookout station in the Pike National Forest. More than 100 metal steps lead to the station, where you’re rewarded with a 360-degree view of the forest and mountains that spread out at your feet. On a clear day, you can see 100 miles in all directions. The station is only staffed from mid-May through Oct. 1. (Off Rampart Range Road; for more information, www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/spl/devils_head.shtml)
Best wildlife:
The trails at Mueller State Park near Divide (vary in length, up to 10 miles, easy to moderate). I know what you’re thinking: State park = campgrounds = crowds and noise = no wildlife. But we’ve had some of our best wildlife viewing at this park that’s home to a healthy elk herd. We’ve also see badgers, golden eagles, porcupines, skunks, and even salamanders here.
(Off Colorado Highway 67 south of Divide; for more information, www. http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mueller/
Best mountain summit:
Mount Rosa (5 miles round trip, moderate). How often do you get to the top of a mountain that is, well, shaped like a mountain? Rosa has a decent point and offers a great view from its top. And the hike to the summit offers the best Colorado has to offer – a green meadow, the deep shade of a spruce forest, and tiny wildflowers only found at this elevation. Rosa, which peaks at 11,499 feet, is thought to be the mountain summited by Zebulon Pike when he was trying to reach a nearby peak that was later named in his honor. (Off Old Stage/Gold Camp Road; 12.5 miles to Forest Road 379. Park there or drive up the 4WD road to Frosty Park (the meadow); walk through clearing and watch for trail cairns on your right.)
The trails at Mueller State Park near Divide (vary in length, up to 10 miles, easy to moderate). I know what you’re thinking: State park = campgrounds = crowds and noise = no wildlife. But we’ve had some of our best wildlife viewing at this park that’s home to a healthy elk herd. We’ve also see badgers, golden eagles, porcupines, skunks, and even salamanders here.
(Off Colorado Highway 67 south of Divide; for more information, www. http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mueller/
Best mountain summit:
Mount Rosa (5 miles round trip, moderate). How often do you get to the top of a mountain that is, well, shaped like a mountain? Rosa has a decent point and offers a great view from its top. And the hike to the summit offers the best Colorado has to offer – a green meadow, the deep shade of a spruce forest, and tiny wildflowers only found at this elevation. Rosa, which peaks at 11,499 feet, is thought to be the mountain summited by Zebulon Pike when he was trying to reach a nearby peak that was later named in his honor. (Off Old Stage/Gold Camp Road; 12.5 miles to Forest Road 379. Park there or drive up the 4WD road to Frosty Park (the meadow); walk through clearing and watch for trail cairns on your right.)
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