Good solo hiking areas close to Denver? (Boulder, Castlewood: living in, vs.)

[bluepigeon]

I'm looking for some good places for hiking solo that are just outside of the city. I'm not looking to drive more than 40 minutes. I'd love to find a rewarding hike that is safe for one person (not too difficult terrain, ease of access, no bears or sketchballs :P).

Any suggestions? (I'm new to the area, living in Capitol Hill.)

[vegaspilgrim]

Lookout Mountain, Red Rocks, the hogback near I-70 & C-470, Deer Creek Canyon/South Valley Park, Roxborough State Park, Golden Gate state park. Check out the Jefferson County open space map: http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/jeffco..._map03_07f.pdf

[Davros]

vegaspilgrim has given you a good list. Jefferson County Open Space parks (Jeffco Parks for short) have been among my staples for years, as has Roxborough (I'd recommend the Carpenter's Peak hike) and Golden Gate. Of the Jeffco Parks, one of my favorites is Meyer Ranch off U.S. 285.

It's pretty rare to come across a bear, but I can't guarantee you won't find one. I've never seen one. They've even wandered into Denver metro on occasion. But I wouldn't worry. I don't recall the most recent bear attack in Colorado. You can't have nature without some natural hazards (if you want to be a worrier, worry about sunburn, lightning, and mosquitos), the same way you can't have people without some criminals.

[newhandle]

El Dorado Canyon State Park near Boulder is a 30 minute drive.

[chilicheesefries]

Originally Posted by Davros

vegaspilgrim has given you a good list. Jefferson County Open Space parks (Jeffco Parks for short) have been among my staples for years, as has Roxborough (I'd recommend the Carpenter's Peak hike) and Golden Gate. Of the Jeffco Parks, one of my favorites is Meyer Ranch off U.S. 285.

It's pretty rare to come across a bear, but I can't guarantee you won't find one. I've never seen one. They've even wandered into Denver metro on occasion. But I wouldn't worry. I don't recall the most recent bear attack in Colorado. You can't have nature without some natural hazards (if you want to be a worrier, worry about sunburn, lightning, and mosquitos), the same way you can't have people without some criminals.

I second that JeffCo open space has some great parks. My personal favorite is Lair O'the Bear on Hwy. 74 between Morrison and Evergreen. I've had some great times there and while it's been a few years there was a nice slowly running Bear Creek you could walk along and they have some quite short and easy hikes.

[AZLiker]

Mt. Morrison is nice. So is Green Mountain. Both are close to the city.

[aaronjohnsonoutwest]

Hiking alone - one of my favorite things to do.
The best resource on hikes within about 40 minutes can be found at these links:
Hikes about 45 minutes from Denver
Hikes about 30 minutes from Denver

Hope these help

[Snikt]

There are tons

Deer Creek Canyon Park
Castlewood Canyon Park
Mount Falcon Park
Lookout Mountain
Chatfield State Park (easy hiking)

etcc

[JrzDefector]

Bookmarking this thread. Lotsa useful stuff.

My friend hikes/runs the Apex trail right near that Heritage park in Golden.

[mic111]

Good solo hiking suggestions. I think I've done most, and mostly by myself. Lots of them can be a great experience where you don't see anyone else. That is why I got my first dog. If you don't have one borrow a friend's. It really is probably pretty safe but it only takes one time for it not to be. Also you will see rattle snakes. I don't know if high top hiking boots protect or not but I always felt better in mine vs. lower ones. I also saw enough and had enough close calls where I almost stepped on them that I put a snake bite kit in my car. I've been rounded up and told to go away by rangers when a mountain lion is sighted so that is a possibility. Never seen a bear on any of them but since bears appear in the city from time to time it is a possibility. If you want to see lots and lots of people on hikes just pick one of the hikes around Boulder. Otherwise the Jeffco ones are much nicer as you can sometimes have the trail to yourself.