FREE | 3 Easy Hikes: Colorado Front Range (Pup-friendly)
FREE | 3 Easy Hikes: Colorado Front Range (Pup-friendly)
Lauren Weatherly
In this FREE guide, we offer three dog-friendly hikes that are easy to access, easy-moderate in difficulty, showcase a variety of scenery, and are sure to blow away both humans and doggos. We also offer two great spots for food/drinks/vibes, perfect for chilling out after hiking, and two suggestions for hotels if you're making a weekend out of it (All pet friendly!)
This guide is perfect if you're in new to the area, or visiting for a couple days. If you want to hit some stellar Front Range spots the way locals do, grab this guide and hit the trails!
With each trail, you'll find:
-Trail description & photos
-Access & parking considerations
-Personal opinions on highlights
-Considerations for success with your puppers
-Alltrails links so you can find the exact trailhead coordinates and see other hikers' reviews
Tips are always appreciated, and additionally check out my variety of low cost guides that offer larger curated collections of trails to try out.
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St. Mary's Glacier
If you're looking for an iconic hike that will initiate you into everything Colorado has to offer, head here! Alpine lake, waterfalls, glacier, ancient bristlecone pines, wildflowers, above-treeline scenery, epic views, and friendly social vibes - What more can you ask for?
St Mary's Glacier Trailhead
@pupperscouts
Description:
This incredible trail takes you up a short rocky incline, to a stunning alpine lake surrounded by ancient bristlecone pine trees. The view of St. Mary's Glacier welcomes you west of the lake. Continue veering right on the trail, and right as you emerge above treeline, you will arrive at the base of this oh-so-famous snowfield. Once at the foot of the glacier, turn around, and you will be rewarded with incredible views of the Front Range. You can continue to hike all the way up to the top of the glacier, or simply play around a bit and head back down. Puppers will love the chance to wade in the lake and romp on the snow! If you're looking for a truly iconic hike that has everything, this one's for you!
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
This trail is short, but steep. Take your time, listen to your body, drink plenty of water, and you'll do great.
Popularity Rating: High
You'll encounter lots of other people and puppers on this trail. I actually like the communal vibes on this trail, because everyone is so stoked to be there. There's plenty of space on the wide trail, and around the lake and the glacier, so it never feels crowded.
-Trailhead: St. Mary's Glacier
-Stats: 1.6 mi roundtrip; 528 ft. elevation gain (more if you hike to the top of the glacier)
-Getting there: You will drive on a dirt road to get here, but no high clearance or other off-road capabilities are needed.
-Parking: This is the only bummer. You have to pay $20 to park in the privately owned trailhead lot. Bring cash, and don't try to cheat, as it's highly monitored. But the fee keeps the area maintained, and that's a plus.
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Porta-potties
-Puppers: On-leash on the trail, but tons of opportunities for play! Remember to pack out the poop.
-Good to know: This is not actually a "real" glacier, it's a semi-permanent snowfield. But that doesn't stop backcountry skiers from carving turns all year round.
📍St. Mary's, Co, is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples
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Buffalo Bill's Grave: Lookout Mountain via Windy Saddle Trailhead
If you're looking for an easy trail that takes you to an iconic Denver-area destination, head here! Not up for the hike? You can also simply drive to Buffalo Bill's grave.
Buffalo Bill's Grave: Lookout Mountain via Windy Saddle Trailhead
@pupperscouts
This hike begins with incredible views of the Denver area to the east, and Continental Divide to the west. You will ascend a nicely maintained, forested trail, and end up at the top of Lookout Mountain where you can explore Buffalo Bill's Grave and tons of interpretive materials about the area. There's also a small museum, gift shop, and snack bar. Puppers are not allowed inside, but there's tons of shady areas for them to wait while you run in.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Popularity Rating: Moderate
Shadiness Factor: High! Perfect for beating the heat in the summer.
-Trailhead: Tiers of Zion Trailhead
-Stats: 2.9 mi RT, 524 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Easy peasy paved road!
-Parking: FREE designated parking at the trailhead
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Pit latrines at the trailhead, and flush toilets at the top!
-Puppers: This trail is great in the summer when you are seeking a shady hike!
-Best time to visit: Spring, Summer, Fall
-Good to know: If you're not into hiking, and/or are looking for an ADA-accessible experience, you can absolutely skip the trail, and drive right to the gravesite and museum. There's tons to explore, shady picnic areas, and restrooms.
Denver City Council Land Acknowledgment:
The Denver City Council honors and acknowledges that the land on which we reside is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado.
We honor Elders past, present, and future, and those who have stewarded this land throughout generations. We also recognize that government, academic and cultural institutions were founded upon and continue to enact exclusions and erasures of Indigenous Peoples.
May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities and recognize the current and future contributions of Indigenous communities in Denver.
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Forsythe Falls & Gross Reservoir
Forsythe Canyon Trailhead
@pupperscouts
Description:
I discovered this waterfall shortly after moving to Boulder, and am not sick of visiting 25 years later. This hike meanders along a creek through meadows and forests, before culminating in the opportunity to stand at the top of a stunning waterfall! But that's not all. If you follow the trail around to your left, over some rocks, then down into the canyon, you get to the bottom of the waterfall and can take in all it's glory. If you keep hiking, you will get to a remote inlet of Gross Reservoir, far away from the crowds that visit the more accessible parts.
Your puppers will love all the sights, smells, critters, and shade this trail provides!
Difficulty Rating: Easy
This trail goes down first, then you have to climb up to return to your car. Don't fear, however, the elevation gain is small.
Popularity Rating: High
This trail can get busy on the weekends, but it's far from the busiest in the area, and never feels crowded. Visit in the winter months for a truly magical and zero-crowd experience!
-Trailhead: Forsythe Canyon Trailhead
-Stats: 3.2 mi RT, 433 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Magnolia Rd. is steep and windey, and turns into a dirt road several miles before you arrive at the trailhead. However, no special off-road capability is needed.
-Parking: Free parking at trailhead.
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Pit latrines
-Puppers: This is an on-leash area, and also know that no dogs (or humans) are allowed to swim in the reservoir. Sniffs & splashes only!
-Best time to visit: Year round! We love this trail in July-September to beat the heat, but also love to visit in the winter to see the falls frozen.
-Good to know: The trailhead is at the head of a jeep road. If you have 4wd capability, or feel like hiking a bit more, you can find several dispersed camping sites in the area with a little exploration.
📍Forsythe Canyon, Co, is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people
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Bonus: After-Hike Food/Drink/Hangout Spots
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
@pupperscouts
It's hard to think of a more iconic Boulder Destination than the teahouse! Smack dab in the middle of downtown, this beautiful structure was a hand-built gift from Boulder's sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
They have an extensive outdoor pupper-friendly patio overlooking Boulder Civic Area park, perfect to sit and soak in the Boulder vibes. They obviously have an extensive and interesting tea menu, but also serve a wonderful array of world cuisine. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, high tea, and dinner, this place is a great stop anytime!
Please note that the patio seating is not full service, so you will order your tea, coffee, or food from the bar inside, but full menus are available.
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Bridgewater Grill - Golden
@pupperscouts
This place can often be busy, but it's worth the wait. They serve every meal, an array of New American fare. The whole restaurant is focused around their expansive outdoor patio nestled on the shore of Clear Creek. Dogs are welcome on the patio, and after your bite, be sure to stroll around the adorable downtown Golden.
This place is a perfect add-on for your hikes in the Golden/Morrison area.
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Bonus: Where to Stay
Making a weekend out of it? Try either of these pet-friendly and adorable places to stay! Location is everything at either one.
The Golden Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
@pupperscouts
Located right in the heart of historic downtown Golden, and on the banks of Clear Creek, this hotel is full of mountain ambiance and friendly vibes. You and your pup will love staying here!
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Foot of the Mountain Motel
@pupperscouts
This is a traditional motel that has been renovated with super cute design! The location is A+, right in front of Eben G. Fine Park, a locals' favorite park by Boulder Creek that often features dramatic rock stacks by a local artist. And it's a budget-friendly option in a town known for being pricey!
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Add-ons: Iconic Hike Guides
Lauren Weatherly
12 Iconic Co Leaf-Peeping Hikes for You and Your Pup: Locations within 2 hr drive from Denver
Autumn in Colorado is all about hunting those vibrant golden sparkles of Aspen leaves that cover the mountain meadows and hillsides. This guides gives you a huge list of our favorite fall hikes.
Expect colors to peak in these areas Sept 15-Oct 5 (ish), but you will still catch some magic if you visit up to a week outside these days.
EMAIL me for a 15% discount code! pupperscouts@gmail.com
Inside you'll find 12 of our absolute favorite leaf-peeping hikes, all within 2 hrs drive from Denver.
Included with each hike:
-Access & parking considerations
-Trail description & photos
-Personal opinions on highlights
-Considerations for success with your puppers
-AllTrails links so you can find the exact trailhead coordinates and see other hikers' reviews
-Other information to ensure the best possible hike
You'll also find suggested add-on itineraries for weekend trips (or day trips), that include:
-Lodging options
-Restaurant options with fall-forward vibes (think Oktoberfest beers, seasonal menus, smokey flavors, & scenic views)
-Best hikes for viewing foliage, all in the easy-moderate range of difficulty
-Suggestions for scenic leaf-peeping drives
-Suggestions for epic sunset-viewing spots
The best part is that ALL of these spots are vetted and dog-friendly, meaning you never have to make arrangements for leaving your doggo behind if you don't want to.
This is a living guide, and will be updated as more information is learned. This is a living guide. As I discover more, I'll add more. You only have to unlock it once, and you'll get all future updates.
$9.00
Private
10% off
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Weatherly
I’m a teacher, of littles and of teachers, who likes to get lost in the wilderness as often as possible. I’ve lived in Colorado for 25 years, and my little pupper scouts are my favorite adventure companions. Together with my partner Bryan, we love to hike and road trip all over the US.
While adventuring, we always find ourselves wishing for more useful info about dog-friendly experiences. So I decided to combine my love for education with my love for adventuring, and start making some little travel guides to share our experiences with others.
Some important things you'll want to know about my guides:
-They're ALL dog-friendly. That doesn't mean that you have to hike with dogs to enjoy them. It just means that if you DO adventure with your dog, you don't have to spend a minute of extra time researching if/how dogs are welcome. I've got you covered!
-In my own hiking adventures, I swing between visiting the most iconic and popular places, and finding off-the-beaten-path places that our pack can enjoy in solitude. You'll find a little bit of both in all my guides.
-As a hiker, I’ve always leaned toward easy to moderate hikes, with stunning scenery. There's beauty abound in Colorado, and you don't have to be gaining thousands of feet of elevation to find it. If you're into extremes, you do you! But my guides focus on more accessible fun for all.
-As a traveler, I tend to seek opportunities to engage in nature, eat amazing food, see some art, learn about history, and get a sense for how locals experience the place. If these also tick your travel boxes, you'll like my guides.
-I'm passionate about diversity & inclusion in outdoor spaces. EVERYONE belongs outside, so bring a welcoming vibe with you on every adventure! Gatekeeping has kept many folks from marginalized communities away from natural spaces, and it's up to ALL of us to change that.
-If you like these vibes, you can follow our adventures on Instagram @pupperscouts, where I'm continuously sharing new info about dog-friendly hiking and road tripping.
A quick intro to my hiking guides:
-In my FREE hiking guides, you get a curated list of a handful of hikes. With each, you get basic trail information and perspectives on why I love them.
-In my $10 guides, you get a larger curated list of 8-12 hikes. You get basic trail information and perspectives on why I love them, plus additional info, photos, and recommendations. I also provide additional resources for successful hiking with humans and puppers.
-A small number of hikes appear in multiple guides, but I prioritize making each guide a unique series of adventures with unique perspectives related to the overall theme of the guide.
Road trip guides coming soon!
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