Festive Colorado: Holiday Magic in Vail, Estes Park, and Breckenridge
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Festive Colorado: Holiday Magic in Vail, Estes Park, and Breckenridge

The holiday magic sparkles when snow blankets festive Colorado. From sparkling tree lightings and European-style markets to quirky parades and ice-carved wonderlands, Colorado’s mountain towns know how to celebrate in style. Here are some of my favorite places to get swept away in festive fun this season. Holiday Cheer in Vail Every December, Vail turns into … Continue reading

Hiking Angler Mountain Trail Through Golden Aspens in Silverthorne, Colorado
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Hiking Angler Mountain Trail Through Golden Aspens in Silverthorne, Colorado

About five minutes north of downtown Silverthorne, Angler Mountain Trail is one of Summit County’s best fall hikes. It’s a moderate trek with a steep start, but the reward is worth every step as you soak in panoramic mountain views and golden aspen groves that glow in late September. Trail Details Distance: 2.5 miles one … Continue reading

Vail in Fall: Best Activities, Festivals, and Hidden Gems
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Vail in Fall: Best Activities, Festivals, and Hidden Gems

When the summer crowds fade and before the ski season rush begins, Vail transforms into a mountain paradise painted in gold. Fall is the perfect time for Colorado crispness, and Vail offers a little something for everyone. You’ll find crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings pair perfectly with golden aspen leaves. Add in fewer … Continue reading

A Quick Climb to Mesa Views & Meadow Blooms: Hiking North Table Mountain
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A Quick Climb to Mesa Views & Meadow Blooms: Hiking North Table Mountain

Looking for a quick dose of nature just outside of Denver? North Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado, offers a mellow loop hike with mesa-top views and a touch of wildflower magic.  But, there’s a heck of climb to kick off the hike. My friends Greg and Mindy joined me on a glorious Saturday morning hitting … Continue reading

Mount Galbraith: A Go-To Training Hike in Golden, Colorado
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Mount Galbraith: A Go-To Training Hike in Golden, Colorado

Mount Galbraith in Golden, Colorado is a scenic 4.1-mile loop hike with quick elevation gain—ideal for training for Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, or Colorado 14ers. Continue reading

A Perfect Day in Glenwood Springs: Hike, Hot Springs, and Historic Charm
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A Perfect Day in Glenwood Springs: Hike, Hot Springs, and Historic Charm

For hiking and hot springs enthusiasts Glenwood Springs is a premier destination steeped in rich history and natural beauty. For centuries, the Ute people revered the area’s mineral waters, calling them “Yampah” or “big medicine,” and using the hot springs for healing and ceremonial purposes. In the late 1800s, settlers established the Glenwood Hot Springs … Continue reading

Hiking Caribou Ranch in Winter:  History, Solitude on Snowy Trails, and a Sweet Finish
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Hiking Caribou Ranch in Winter: History, Solitude on Snowy Trails, and a Sweet Finish

This is a hike with a little bit of everything – forest, meadows, history, and a lovely creek. Caribou Ranch Open Space is about an hour drive from Denver. Near Nederland, the 2,151-acre open space sits between 8,300 and 10,000 feet. On a glorious morning, my friend Mindy and I decided to hike the Blue … Continue reading

Winter Hiking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Exploring the Mule Deer Trail to Frazer Meadow
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Winter Hiking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Exploring the Mule Deer Trail to Frazer Meadow

Golden Gate Canyon State Park between Golden and Nederland is a top spot for fall colors in Colorado’s foothills and very popular in summer, but in winter it transforms into a serene winter wonderland. If you love solitude, snowy trails winding through pines and aspens, and a hike with a dose of history, hiking the … Continue reading