What we’re about
Hello and welcome to Alpine Adventurers Hiking!
We're a community of folks who love hiking!! Most of us are 50+ years young, but all are welcome. The hikes will be scheduled year-round, located in the beautiful front range mountains just outside of Denver, Colorado: extending from Ward/Nederland, to Boulder, Golden, Kittredge, Evergreen, and Pine, CO. Average length of hikes is 6-9 miles, with 1,000+ ft. elevation gain, providing a great workout, but not too 'killer'! We'll hike a variety of terrain: through pine forests, canyons, and aspen groves, traversing mountain switchbacks and trekking alongside cascading waters. Depending on the season, we'll revel in nature's gorgeous arrays of wildflowers, fall colors and sparkling snow (always bring your spikes for traction on ice/packed snow). We'll take in the incredible views from rocky outcroppings and overlooks at higher elevations, enjoying a snack break and pausing to take a few photos along the way. We'll even explore several historical sites, and discover fascinating, often obscure aspects of Colorado's history, including notable individuals who left their unique imprint on our state.
***I also enjoy organizing additional events connected to hiking/walking: enjoying live music, festivals, outdoor art shows, and community holiday celebrations, sometimes following our hike, other times stand- alone outings. Hope you'll join us for a variety of FUN TIMES! ***
After hiking, there will sometimes be lunch happening at a local eatery (outdoors on a patio or deck preferred, weather permitting) where we can enjoy great food and socializing!
When Meetup members sign up and accept the Meetup Terms of Service, they are agreeing to the Release found in Section #6 (see link below): This Release basically states that members attend events at their own risk, and releases the organizers, the assistant organizers and Meetup from any claims that may result from injury or death. Hiking has inherent risks, and each member is responsible for their own safety & well-being during outings with the group. Know your own limits and abilities, and proceed accordingly. Click on the link below to view the Meetup Release document:
**CONDUCT OF ATTENDEES ON HIKES/OUTINGS:
Please remember that we hike together in the beautiful Front Range Mountains to get a great workout, socialize and make new friends, reduce stress and experience renewal in mind, body, and spirit. Demonstrating respect for others through actions and words, making an effort to contribute to the group in a positive way, ensures that we'll all have an enjoyable experience! Please keep this in mind when signing up for and attending hikes/outings. Members who disregard these conduct guidelines will not be able to retain their membership with this group.**
Always come prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, a snack, & proper clothing/boots for the weather/elements. A CORSAR Card is highly recommended. The cost is $12 for a five-year card. This helps to fund volunteer emergency rescue crews who are on call, should you have an injury or health emergency while out on the trials. Here's a link for more detailed information:
IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP TO ATTEND A HIKE OR SNOWSHOE OUTING, THEN FAIL TO SHOW UP THE MORNING OF THE EVENT WITHOUT PROVIDING NOTICE. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CHANGE YOUR RSVP TO 'NOT GOING' A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO THAT THOSE ON THE WAIT LIST MAY ATTEND. I UNDERSTAND THAT EMERGENCIES AND LAST-MINUTE ISSUES OCCUR, BUT PLEASE CANCEL YOUR RSVP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! THIS SHOWS RESPECT FOR THE LEADER AND ALL MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP. AS IS TRUE FOR MOST MEETUPS, MEMBERS WHO CONSISTENTLY 'NO SHOW' (3 OR MORE TIMES) WILL LOSE THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN THIS GROUP. THANK YOU!
I am very excited to continue organizing and leading hikes, and to create special memories with my fellow adventurers!!
See you soon,
Tricia
Upcoming events (2)
See all- WOOD'S QUARRY, KOHLER MESA & SKUNK CANYON: CHAUTAUQUA PARK, BOULDER!Needs location
Discover an old stone quarry where large sandstone slabs have been rearranged into an outdoor living room by a few creative folks. This hike is approximately 5.9 miles in length, with 1,000 ft. elevation gain. It's moderate as far as difficulty. Bring a snack to take a break & fully enjoy this unique spot and amazing, panoramic views of Boulder, the Flatirons, and beyond. We'll start on Bluebell Road, then take the Mesa Trail to a fork, then go right on Woods Quarry. After enjoying the amazing views from the overlook at Wood's Quarry, we'll head back down on the loop to pass by a historic stone cabin, then continue through the pines onto the Kohler Mesa and Skunk Canyon Loops & finally follow the Enchanted Mesa trail down to the parking lot. Dogs are welcome, on leash. Please be sure to clean up after your pet! There are restrooms at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage, on the east side of the front porch, as well as at the top of Bluebell Road.
***We wait 5 minutes MAXIMUM for hikers who arrive late, out of consideration for those arriving on time. Please allow some extra time to drive to the trailhead.***
IMPORTANT: Your participation in this event is at your own risk, and you are solely responsible for your personal hiking experience, from start to finish. Please consider your fitness/comfort level & the demands of this hike (length/elevation gain/difficulty) prior to signing up.
Check out the links below; we'll hike the COMBINED loops/trails shown on these maps:
Bluebell Trail, Woods Quarry Trail, and Enchanted Mesa - Colorado | AllTrails
Skunk Canyon and Kohler Mesa Loop - Colorado | AllTrails
Directions:
Address: 900 Baseline Rd &, 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302From Denver, take Hwy. 36 North to the Baseline Road exit in Boulder, and head West on Baseline Rd. for 1.5 miles, to the Chautauqua Park parking lots, on your left. WE'LL MEET AT THE RANGER COTTAGE, NEXT TO THE MAIN PARKING LOT.
**PARKING IS FREE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK FROM LABOR DAY THROUGH MEMORIAL DAY.** THERE IS A PARKING FEE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS ONLY, FROM MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY.
- MULE DEER TRAIL LOOP TO PANORAMA POINT, GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK!Needs location
Mule Deer Trail Loop, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden, CO
Total distance: 9.6 mile loop
Usage: Medium
Degree of difficulty: Moderate
Starting elevation: 8,200
Elevation gain: 1,446 feetIn 2012, the Elk trail and Mule Deer trail joined up to become one long loop trail with a total distance of 9.6 miles. Starting and ending at the Ole' Barn Knoll trail head, Mule Deer weaves through open meadows, evergreen forest, prolific wildflowers, and multiple aspen groves. Mule Deer intersects the Horseshoe trail at mile 1.85 - this trail provides access to the Frazer, Rim, and Greenfield Meadow backcountry areas. Mule Deer intersects the Black Bear trail at mile 1.5, and the Coyote trail at mile 2.05. The trail crosses Gap Road and takes you towards the Raccoon trail and the Reverend’s Ridge Campground. We'll enjoy taking a break at the breathtakingly beautiful Panorama Point, the highest elevation of this hike, with incredible views of many 14'ers across the Continental Divide of the Rockies. From there, we'll head down the mountain to complete the loop.
Dogs are permitted on all of the trails at Golden Gate. They must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please keep Golden Gate beautiful and pick up after your dog.
THERE IS NO CELL PHONE OR INTERNET SERVICE IN GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK. Pay phones are located at the Visitor Center and Campground office.
THERE IS A $10 ENTRANCE FEE PER VEHICLE--see information below regarding payment, if you don't have a Colorado State Parks pass.
Click here for the trail map:
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Documents/GoldenGateTrails.pdfADDRESS:
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403DIRECTIONS: Coming from Hwy. 93 in Golden, follow Golden Gate Canyon Rd. 13 miles, at which point you'll pass by Crawford Gulch Road on your right, where the park Visitor Center is located. Continuing a short distance up Golden Gate Canyon Rd., you'll pass KRILEY PONDS on the right. Continue a short distance past Kriley Ponds on Golden Gate Canyon Rd. to MOUNTAIN BASE ROAD and TURN RIGHT, then CURVE LEFT THROUGH THE GATES, and follow this road approx. 1/4 mile to the OLE' BARN KNOLL parking area on your left, where we'll meet. The trail head is just across the road. Restrooms are available at the parking area, and at Panorama Point.
***We wait 5 MINUTES MAXIMUM for hikers who arrive late, out of consideration for those arriving on time. Please allow some extra time to drive to the trailhead.***
IMPORTANT: Your participation in this event is at your own risk, and you are solely responsible for your personal hiking experience, from start to finish. Please consider your fitness/comfort level & the demands of this hike (length/elevation gain/difficulty) prior to signing up.COLORADO STATE PARKS PASS:
If you don't have a Colorado State Parks Pass, you can purchase a one day only parking pass at the kiosk on the deck of the Visitor's Center and pay $10 cash (instructions are on the envelope provided). The Visitor Center does not open until 9 a.m. daily.Click on this link for a map and driving directions:
Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Golden Gate Canyon (state.co.us)
