Tomer's Trails

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We went to Marshall Mesa Trailhead in Boulder County Friday, July 11, 2008.

This spectacular hiking, mountain biking and horse riding area is in Eldorado Canyon at Marshall Road and Highway 93.

Details: Trail open to hikers, runners, horses, dogs-on-leash, and mountain bikes. Part of the trail is interpretive with informational signs describing the mining and geologic history of the area.

The coal mining history goes back to the 1860s. Marshall Mesa is a gorgeous, wide-open area. Views of the Flatirons and Indian Peaks are worth the trip. On a clear day you can see for many miles in every direction. You can combine these trails into a 12.2 -mile loop as well.

Marshall Mesa Trail:
Rolling elevation trail that forms a 12.2 Mile loop with the following trails. It's near Marshall Lake.
Community Ditch Trail:
Runs along an irrigation ditch; Connects numerous miles of local trails.
Greenbelt Plateau Trail:
Travels through grasslands; Wide open to sunshine.

We would live to see photos of your favorite trails and adventures. Just upload them to the MyOutDoors Colorado photo gallery.




Marshall Mesa Map

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Red Rocks is not just for concerts!

Denver's Red Rocks Park sits at an altitude of 6,200 feet and is a breathtaking area to exercise and enjoy Colorado's outdoor trails. It was the subject of Tomer's Trails on the Fourth of July.

Many of the trails take hikers and mountain bikers through terrain worthy of postcards. However, It can get busy on weekends and tourists do flock to the park.

Deer, foxes, raccoons, magpies, and various wildflowers all call Red Rocks home. Pets must be on leashes. Rock climbing is prohibited and so are fireworks.

We would live to see photos of your favorite trails and adventures. Just upload them to the MyOutDoors Colorado photo gallery.


Red Rocks Park Map

We went to the top of Green Mountain in Lakewood for Tomer's Trails on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

What a view! And SkyFOX was there, so take a look at the video because some of it truly is spectacular.

Green Mountain in Lakewood was once home to buffalo and an old ski resort! It is also known as William Frederick Hayden Park. A network of trails cover the 2400 acres of open space with a summit elevation of 6800 feet.

The summit views are truly 360 degrees including the "big 3" Front Range 14ers. From Denver, to Castle Rock, to Sedalia, to Morrison, to Mountain Evans, to Longs Peak, to Golden, to Boulder, to DIA.

Dogs on-leash, horseback riding, paragliders mountain bikes, hikers, trail runners all welcome. The network of trails serves all skill levels. GO NOW: Wildflowers galore are blooming. WATCH OUT for rattlesnakes. The old nickname of Green Mountain, "Rattlesnake Mountain". Avoid this mountain after a heavy rainfall.

Green Mountain Trail: 6.4 Miles, Loops around the mountain as well as by the summit. Significant elevation gain and loss. Bring the sunscreen.

Hayden Trail Loop: 3.1 Miles, Good Mountain Biking Loop, Nice Views.







Green Mountain Park Map

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Flatirons Vista in Boulder County is the focus of this week's Tomer's Trails. The Flatirons Vista Trailhead is located about 1/3 of a mile south of Highway 128 on Highway 93.

Bring your hiking boots, bring your dogs, bring your horses, bring your bikes and bring your picnic basket because all are welcome on the spectacularly scenic trails at Flatirons Vista.

The area is also outstanding for bird watching opportunities and enthusiasts.




Flatirons Vista Map

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This week's Tomer's Trails is Mount Sanitas located in Boulder and is inspired by James Dziezynskis’ “Best Summit Hikes in Colorado.” It's about a 45 minute drive from downtown Denver.

I wanted to offer a slightly more difficult trail this time around. It's a "moderate" 3 mile roundtrip hike topping out at 6800ft. Views of the Indian Peaks, Boulder, Denver and Cheyenne greet hikers.

Trails:

• Mt. Sanitas Trail: 3 Miles Roundtrip, Moderate, Hot. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
• Sanitas Valley Trail: 2 Miles Roundtrip, Flat, Trail Sits Between Mt. Sanitas and Dakota Ridge.
• Dakota Ridge Trail: 2.4 Miles Roundtrip, Easy to Moderate, Hike Along Boulder's Hogback

Mountain bikes are not allowed on the Mt. Sanitas Trail. Dogs must be on-leash and there are no water stations. Several rock slabs along the Mt. Sanitas Trail appeal to rock climbers.

Directions to trailhead: Take Broadway north and turn west onto Mapleton. Go about 5 blocks and the trailheads will be on both sides of the street.

For more information on James Dziezynskis’ “Best Summit Hikes in Colorado” email me at chris.tomer@foxtv.com.

Mount Sanitas Map

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Tomer's Trails returned on Tuesday, May 20 with a trip up to Evergreen, and Elk Meadow Park. That's along Evergreen Parkway (Colo. Highway 74) south of Interstate 70.

We had a great morning! Diane Van Deren joined us from Sedalia. She not only participated in the 300-mile long Yukon Arctic Ultra Trail Run in February, but she won it!

Today, she ran around the trails of Elk Meadow Park and she even had a brief encounter with a small black bear. Unfortunately, the bear ran away before we could get any video of him.

The park offers great trails for everyone from families who want to go on a leisurely walk, to folks who want a challenge hike up to the top of Bergen Peak. That trail is about four miles long, and it rises almost 1,800 feet in elevation.




Elk Meadow Park Map

We went to a great, family friendly place for hiking on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

We did live reports from Mount Falcon Park in Jefferson County all during Good Day Colorado. Mount Falcon Park is just outside of Morrison.

One of the main trails, the Castle Trail, will take you on a 3.8 mile hike and up to an elevation of 8,000 + feet. What a view you can get from up there!

You can see downtown Denver and out to the Eastern Plains. If you look west, you can get a spectacular view of Mt. Evans. Look north, and you'll see some of the peaks that mark Rocky Mountain National Park.




Mount Falcon Park Map