Nice wooded but easy hike needed near denver? (Littleton, Wheat Ridge: fit in, 2013)

[ChrisFromChicago]

Its hard looking at all the cool hikes and not really knowing if its a fit. On my hike I'll have a 3 year old (who could fit in a Kelty) and a 8 month old (maybe with mom on the Bjorn)

Extra points given to a place that is paved with strollers and a wagoon

What I don't really want is something that is just out in the sun. I want trees/shade.. as I walk through the area. Any recommendations?

Shaded Family friendly hikes. . .

[SkyDog77]

We took our two year old up to the new Staunton State Park a few weekends ago and did the Davis Ponds walk. It was mostly wooded, although there were a few exposed patches. Very easy hike, but great with the kiddos.

Trails at Staunton | Colorado Parks and Wildlife

[Snikt]

You can't really do many of the mountain hikes with a stroller as 99% aren't paved. You should check out some easy trails in Chatfield State Park, Cherry Creek State Park, Bear Creek Lake Park in the city

[SkyDog77]

This site seems to have some good data.

http://www.dayhikesneardenver.com/

[denver_hacker]

Wooded areas are tough to find on the high plains because they don't really occur naturally. Your best best is along the creeks/canals or go into the foot hills.

That being said, here's a start of place we hit in south Denver with los ninos:

- Wash Park - ok, not a hike, but a nice walk on a flat paved surface.
- Cherry Creek Path - I ride this one every day, flat and paved. Watch out for a$$hole bikers.
- Highline Canal - Flat and easy with nice trees. I like starting at Three Pond Park in Cherry Hills and heading south, or you can start at a little parking lot near Quincy and Dahlia (across from the Arapahoe Swim and Tennis club) and head right into the Kent Denver campus.
- Bear Creek Trail - Paved and easy. Starting at Bear Creek Park near Hampden and Sheriden and heading West. This one is fun because there are little stops a long the way to throw things in the creek.
- Mary Carter Greenway Trail (AKA Platte River Trail) - Again, paved and easy. Starting at the Carson Nature Center in Littleton (which itself is free and worth a visit) just behind Aspen Grove Shopping Center and head south along the river. South of Mineral the paved trail on the west side of the river is fantastic with great places to stop. My kids love to throw rocks in the river - entertains them for hours.
- Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks - In order to stay wooded, you have to stick to the trails along the water.
- Hildebrand Ranch Park - There's a nice shaded trail along the creek.
- Red Rocks Park - Has nice little trail in and around the rocks by the amphitheater. The rocks provide nice shade.
- Lair O The Bear/Cowina/O'Fallon - These are mountain parks but have good tree cover. The trails are more like real hiking trails - not paved, but when it's 100+ in Denver, they are a nice relief.
- Deer Creek Canyon/Mt. Falcon - Great parks, but have some steep for little ones inclines. Deer Creek Canyon has a great shaded/forested trail on the south side, but it's a good incline.

Anyway - all good stuff.

[infinitylove]

The Wheat Ridge Greenbelt is a great place to walk/hike. Clear Creek runs alongside it. It is very treed and shady with a bike path and a hiking path. Sometimes you will even see horses. There are lots of little trails to "explore" off the regular path as well as the little ones can throw rocks into the water. If you start at Prospect Park in Wheat Ridge off 44th and Youngsfield area there are also a couple of playgrounds and bathroom. There are lots of birds so bring some binoculars. I have 2 kids, 4 and 8 and they love hiking on this trail.

[2bindenver]

Staunton State Park | 5280

[SkyDog77]

The Colorado trail at Kenosha Pass is another good one. It's a nice walk through an aspen forest. Very shaded.

[Colorado^]

Get a Bob fixed wheel stroller with suspension and a hand brake. You can take it on some pretty chunky trails and it rolls well on sand and loose dirt if you run low PSI in the tires.

Over all it does better on flatter trails like you'd fine out in Pine (buffalo creek). You don't want to be pushing it up the steep front range trails.

[himain]

Good thread! Now I have some good ideas for us to hike on