Sunday, January 8, 2012

My Summer Hiking Goals

So my "new thing" this year is going to be hiking.  I have always loved hiking, and I have this book I got at Costco called, "The Best Denver Hikes," that James and I have been slowly working our way through.  My goal is to do all the hikes in the book before I die, and as of now, I've done 8 out of 30.  If I did the ones on my list below, that would make 16/30.  Maybe I should do more this summer, but this is a start.  Anyone want to join me?  I have included pictures to entice you all.  James has committed to come on some of them, but if the mileage is above 5 or 6, I don't think he'll do it, so I could use some hiking buddies.  I would also like to get into backpacking this summer.  I have never done it before, but I think I would really enjoy it.  So I'd also like to do a couple overnighters this summer.

Abyss Lake
Near:  Idaho Springs/Georgetown/Loveland Pass
Elevation Gain:  3.050 feet
Rating:  Moderate-difficult
Round Trip Distance:  16 miles
Round Trip Time:  7-8 hours

Beaverbrook Trail
Near:  Boulder/Golden
Elevation Gain:  1,830 feet
Rating:  Moderate
Round-trip Distance:  8 miles
Round Trip Time:  4.5-5 hours

Carpenter Peak
Near:  Roxborough State Park
Elevation Gain:  1,000 feet
Rating:  Moderate
Round-trip Distance:  6.4 miles
Round Trip Time:  3-4 hours

Chief Mountain and Squaw Mountain

Near:  Idaho Springs/Georgetown/Loveland Pass
Elevation Gain:  1,800 feet
Rating:  Easy-Moderate
Round-trip Distance:  4.8 miles
Round Trip Time:  3 hours

Herman Lake

Near:  Idaho Springs/Georgetown/Loveland Pass
Elevation Gain:  1,700 feet
Rating:  Moderate
Round-trip Distance:  6.5 miles
Round Trip Time:  4-5 hours

Highline Canal, Platte River and Lee Gulch Trail Loop
Near:  Arapahoe Community College
Elevation Gain:  Less than 100 feet
Rating:  Easy
Round-trip Distance:  7.5 miles
Round Trip Time: 3-4 hours

James Peak and Saint Mary’s Glacier
Near:  Winter Park
Elevation Gain:  2,900 feet
Rating:  Moderate
Round-trip Distance:  7 miles
Round Trip Time: 5-6 hours

Rosalie Peak
Near:  Idaho Spring/Georgetown/Loveland Pass
Elevation Gain:  4,300 feet
Rating:  Moderate
Round-trip Distance:  11 miles
Round Trip Time:  8-9 hours
P.S.  NONE of these pictures are mine, I didn't take them, I don't have the rights to them, sorry if someone gets upset about that.

5 comments:

Emily Judd said...

Those all look amazing! I want to come :) someday....

Aaron and Rachael said...

I would join you, but could probably only arrange for the half-day hikes. You know, scheduling and such. Oh, and Aaron and Paige would probably want to come when they could, too. : )

Stacy said...

I'll come Christy...if you go on a Monday or Tuesday. I would even go on the 16 round trip. I have started taking my children hiking, but they are about the same distance limits as James :). It would be nice to pack lightly and go on at least one by myself, with you.

Christy Bateman Mathatas said...

Thanks for the comments, ladies! I think james and I are going to do the highline/lee gulch/platte river trail loop thing this Saturday. It will be long but easy. Anyone free Saturday and want to come along?

Cassandra said...

I love the Carpenter peak hike! One of my faves; I've hiked it like five times and love it every time : )