Feeling un-conventional? Like a delegate out of water? Or maybe it’s the rarified mountain air you’re missing as you suffocate in the political swarm trying to convince the democratic masses that there’s no more important place on the planet right now than the Pepsi Center podium.
Thing is, this is still Colorado. And if you live here, you know better.
If you’re visiting, well, here’s the inside scoop from outside the Beltway: Those Rocky Mountain ramparts that look so picturesque from your hotel room window are twice as sweet up close and personal.
Fortunately, you’re in Denver now, so close isn’t a problem. All you need is an excuse. We’ll provide the escape route.
Take a hike
Roxborough State Park
This relatively small slice of serenity just outside the suburban swell offers moderate hiking-specific trails through the Front Range’s signature Fountain Formation. The angular red rocks jutting dramatically upward provide a scenic payoff with minor effort invested. A year-round visitors center will point you in the right direction.
* Get there: Follow Highway 470 to Wadsworth Blvd. (Highway 121) south to Waterton Road. Turn left (east) for 1.5 miles to Rampart Range Road, then right (south) for 2.5 miles and left onto Roxborough Park Road. Trails originate at the visitors center.
White Ranch
The 18 miles of hiking and biking trails on this former ranch near Golden can get busy at the suburban eastern entrance. Drive 10 miles up to the rural western access point, however, and you’ll find a more serene experience in nearly 4,400 acres of open space at a 7,700-foot elevation. Just be prepared to walk back uphill at the end of it.
Camping options are available at Sawmill Hikers Camp and Sourdough Springs Equestrian Camp.
* Get there: The east trailhead is off Pine Ridge Road. Follow Highway 93 1.7 miles north of Golden to 56th Avenue west, then north on Pine Ridge. Follow Highway 93 north from Golden to Golden Gate Canyon Road west for 4.1 miles to Crawford Gulch Road (Highway 57), then turn right and follow signs to the western access.
St. Mary’s Glacier/ James Peak
This permanent snowfield is a simple drive from Denver, with hikes ranging from 2-8 miles becoming more challenging the farther you get from the 10,000-foot starting elevation. Hike to the top of the glacier for panoramic views of James and Bancroft peaks, or head 4 miles up to the summit.
* Get there: Take Interstate 70 west to the Fall River Road/St. Mary’s Alice exit onto County Road 275 and drive 8 miles to parking lot.
Crank it
Mount Falcon Park
With 11 miles of mountain bike trails stretched across 2,130 acres, it’s no secret that Mount Falcon near Morrison offers some of the area’s finest singletrack. All the more reason to acquaint or reacquaint yourself with the steep, semi-arid slopes to the top, where you’ll find panoramic views of the Continental Divide alongside remnants of Red Rocks founder John Walker’s mansion and the foundation of the “Summer White House” he intended to build for U.S. presidents.
* Get there: Take I-70 west from Denver to C-470 south. Exit at Morrison Road, west to Highway 8. Turn left to Forest Avenue, then right to Vine and right again (north) to the parking area.
Waterton Canyon/ Colorado Trail
The oasis that is 6 1/2-mile Waterton Canyon does quadruple duty as a hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing escape along the South Platte River. The canyon also serves as the tip of the Colorado Trail, a 483-mile traverse of the state’s roadless wilds ending in Durango. The gentle climb up to Strontia Springs Dam via a wide and smooth dirt road is popular with sauntering cyclists.
* Get there: Follow Wadsworth south from the C-470 intersection in southwest Denver until you see a turnoff for Waterton Canyon on the left. Turn and park in the lot on the left.
Walker Ranch
Comprised of four distinct trails accessed by three trailheads, the 7 1/2-mile Walker Ranch Loop on the west side of Eldorado State Park is notable for spacious rolling hills and knockout scenery along South Boulder Creek. Popular among residents of the People’s Republic of Boulder, the multi-use trails are best accessed via the Crescent Meadows Trailhead for Denverites.
* Get there: From Colorado 93 take Coal Creek Canyon Road (Highway 72) to Crescent Village and turn right at the Gross Reservoir sign.
Go with the flow
Deckers Chutes
This Class II/III kayaking run on the South Platte can be paddled for 3-12 miles, depending on your time. The Chutes are the hardest rapids on an otherwise beginner stretch of whitewater that doubles as a popular play spot. More advanced boaters might consider the shoulder shuttle at Waterton Canyon. Get gear at Confluence Kayaks (303-433-3676).
* Get there: Turn off Highway 285 just south of Conifer on South Foxton Road (97 Road), and follow to South Platte River Road (96 Road). Follow 14.2 miles to the confluence of the North and South forks of the South Platte. River access at multiple points along the road.
Colorado River/Shoshone
With the most consistent year- round flows in the state, the Class III Shoshone stretch of the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon is the best bet for whitewater raft trips so late in the season. Six fun rapids at the top of the 2-mile run lead into a much mellower 8-mile float below Grizzly Creek to Glenwood Springs. Experienced adrenaline junkies may want to check into the Class V Gore Canyon section several miles upstream.
* Get there: The Shoshone put-in is at Exit 123 off eastbound I-70, about 5 miles east of Glenwood Springs. Try Timberline Tours in Eagle (970-46-1414) or Whitewater Rafting LLC in Glenwood (970-945-8477) for guide service.
Social climbing
Eldorado State Park
Since the 1956 “discovery” of the 700-foot Redgarden Wall, nearly 600 climbing routes have been sent in the mile-long chasm known as Eldorado Canyon State Park. Established as one of Colorado’s oldest technical climbing areas, this eastern entrance to the two-piece park serves as another stunning example of the multi-million-year-old Fountain Formation and is worth a peek with or without your gear rack.
* Get there: From Golden, take Highway 93 north to Highway 170 west (left) just south of Boulder.
Clear Creek Canyon
Clear Creek’s gneiss and schist remained largely unclimbed until the advent of sport climbing in the late 1980s. Since then, climbers have been scaling the canyon’s 400-plus routes overlooking the river and a busy road to the popular casinos of Central City and Black Hawk almost every day of the spring, summer and fall.
* Get there: Clear Creek Canyon is easily reached via U.S. 6 west out of Golden. Follow the highway for one mile to the first tunnel, park in the small turnout and walk 50 yards down the dirt trail to reach the sport wall.
Happy camping
Rocky Mountain National Park
Everyone in the state owes themselves a visit to this 265,000-acre outdoor recreational mecca established by an act of Congress in 1915. The drive over Trail Ridge Road is sweet at sunset, but for the full flavor it’s best to spend the night.
* Get there: Take I-25 north to Highway 36 north to the park.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
